GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 5 Chaminade at No. 3 Oaks Christian
This matchup gets Game of the Week honors because it involves two teams in the Daily News Top 10. Chaminade versus Oaks Christian has been a season opener since 2016 (except in 2020 due to COVID). In those eight matchups, Oaks Christian leads 5-3 in the series. The Lions will look for their third straight win over Chaminade on Friday night.
Oaks has more talent and more star power with Deshonne Redeaux (USC) and Davon Benjamin (Oregon), but Chaminade is bringing its hard hat and lunch pail mentality, led by an experienced and big offensive line.
The quarterbacks are important to watch in this one. Oaks Christian’s Trey Towns Jr. is a sophomore. Chaminade’s Cameron Pooley is a junior.
Tarek’s pick: Oak Christian
JSerra at No. 1 Sierra Canyon
This is supposed to be Sierra Canyon’s year. The defense is stacked with talent and playmakers, but can the offense score enough points? That will come down to quarterback play. Coach Jon Ellinghouse hasn’t named a starter for Friday’s home opener, but whoever it is will be a new face: Laird Finkel, Chase Everett or Demarco Hernandez.
Regardless of who plays QB, the Trailblazers’ defense should lead the way against a JSerra team that is expected to finish among the bottom of the Trinity League and is ranked No. 12 in Orange County.
Tarek’s pick: Sierra Canyon
No. 7 Simi Valley at No. 6 Valencia
Simi Valley already suffered a defeat last week in a Week 00 game at home to Spanish Springs (NV), but having a game under its belt could help when facing a team that has yet to play a game.
Valencia is expected to be much improved and the team to beat in the Foothill League due to its star running back Brian Bonner (Washington commit) and returning senior QB Brady Bretthauer.
Tarek’s pick: Valencia
Golden Valley at Westlake
Westlake went 0-10 last fall but has a new coach to be excited about in Rick Clausen, with brother Casey Clausen running the offense. The excitement alone is storyline worthy, but how about a debut victory?
The Warriors will lean on standout running back Demanie Bell, wideout Charles Davis and freshman QB Ford Green on offense. On defense, it will be defensive ends Jhonas Pinkard and Barrett McVeigh with defensive back Julian Ramirez.
Golden Valley has 24 seniors this season, which means culture and continuity will be hard to beat Friday night, but something about the magic of the Clausens can’t be denied.
Tarek’s pick: Westlake
Eagle Rock at Kennedy
Probably the best City Section game of Week 0. Could one of these two teams reach the Open Division in 2025? The winner of this game could be an indicator of that. The two programs are Division I playoff mainstays, but with so much talent and production returning for both teams — maybe the Open Division is calling. It may be too early to tell …
The pick: Kennedy
Cleveland at Harvard-Westlake
Cleveland is expected to turn heads this season in the West Valley League. The Cavs return their quarterback, several two-way athletes and are rolling into coach Mario Guzman’s second year.
Harvard-Westlake is under new coach Dameon Porter, who will be making his coaching debut at home Friday night. There’s work to be done in Studio City, and Porter knows that, but we’ll see how much of that work has been done this off-season. A win, even against a City Section program, would be a nice way to start Harvard-Westlake’s new era.
Tarek’s pick: Cleveland
FRIDAY GAMES
DAILY NEWS TOP 10
JSerra at No. 1 Sierra Canyon
No. 5 Chaminade at No. 3 Oaks Christian
No. 2 Newbury Park at Millikan
Downey at No. 4 Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks
No. 7 Simi Valley (0-1) at No. 6 Valencia
St. Bonaventure at No. 8 St Francis
Oak Park at No. 9 Agoura
No. 10 Hart at Birmingham Charter
SOUTHERN SECTION
Alemany at Calabasas
Bishop Diego at Lancaster
Buena at Saugus
Burbanks at San Dimas
Castaic at Adelanto
Charter Oak at Canyon/Canyon Country
Fillmore at Royal
Golden Valley at Westlake
Heritage Christian at San Marino
Highland at Oak Hills
Hueneme at Thousand Oaks
La Salle at La Canada
Mission Hills at Quartz Hill
Moorpark at Rio Mesa
Palmdale at Hesperia
Rosamond at Eastside
Santa Paula at Grace
Viewpoint at Channel Islands
West Ranch at Pacifica/Oxnard
CITY SECTION
Arleta at Westchester
Chatsworth at Monroe
Eagle Rock at Kennedy
Jefferson at Reseda
Panorama at Chavez
Verdugo Hills at Marquez
West Adams at Van Nuys (CANCELED)
Wilson at Grant
INTERSECTIONAL
Cleveland at Harvard-Westlake
Crespi at Gardena, 4 p.m.
Fulton at Canoga Park
Garces Memorial at Paraclete
Huntington Park at Village Christian
Knight at El Camino Real
Nordhoff at Taft