Week 6 of the high school football season includes several big area battles, including Notre Dame traveling to Chaminade in the Mission League and Cleveland taking on Birmingham in the West Valley League.
Here is a look at the top matchups and a prediction for every game:
GAME OF THE WEEK
Notre Dame (5-0) vs. Chaminade (5-0)
The question for every high school football game is usually, which version of the best team shows up? Chaminade sophomore quarterback Jeremy Mellalieu has looked comfortable throwing the football this season while Notre Dame has attempted to outrun teams with senior Tahj Skinner as the motor of the offense. Skinner hasn’t seen a defensive line to the level of Chaminade’s Hudson Manning and Kingston Williams. But then Mellalieu has to check off and attempt to dissuade the eyes of Skinner who plays both ways and junior Emmanuel Pullins. Notre Dame’s pace catches Chaminade off guard. Prediction: Notre Dame wins 27-23
Cleveland (5-0) vs. Birmingham (1-4)
Cleveland is coming off its biggest win of the season, having defeated Crenshaw on the road 24-18. Senior running back Moyosoreoluwa Odebunmi rushed for 207 yards. The Cavaliers have found a physical identity at the line of scrimmage. Senior offensive lineman Christopher Herrarte is a tank at 6-foot-1 and 330 pounds, and he has helped rally Cleveland. The Cavaliers are playing complementary football behind sophomore defensive back Donovan Shirley. Last week against Harvard-Westlake, Birmingham had one explosive drive led by senior running back Braylen Morgan before the game plan petered out. Cleveland is playing with confidence and after hearing all of the talk about Birmingham’s strong nonleague schedule, the Cavaliers become road warriors again. Prediction: Cleveland wins 28-13
Valencia (4-2) vs. Saugus (4-2)
Valencia looks to take down upstart Saugus on the road. Saugus stayed with Hart for a half before last week being overwhelmed by senior running back Matix Frithsmith. Junior Nico Funez of Valencia is on a similar athletic level as Frithsmith. Prediction: Valencia wins 35-14
OTHER AREA GAMES
Games start at 7 p.m. unless noted.
THURSDAY
Valley Mission League
Canoga Park vs. Reseda. Prediction: Canoga Park wins 13-7.
Foothill League
Hart vs. Golden Valley. Prediction: Hart wins 35-10.
FRIDAY
Nonleague
Calabasas vs. Oak Park. Prediction: Calabasas wins 35-13.
Brentwood vs. St. Genevieve. Prediction: St. Genevieve wins 27-20.
Rosamont vs. Viewpoint. Prediction: Rosamont wins 27-21.
Schurr vs. La Canada. Prediction: La Canada wins 17-10.
Mission League
Loyola vs. Sierra Canyon. Prediction: Sierra Canyon wins 42-14.
West Valley League
Granada Hills vs. El Camino Real. Prediction: Granada Hills wins 27-20.
Chatsworth vs. Taft. Prediction: Taft wins 31-21.
Channel League
Westlake vs. Rio Mesa. Prediction: Westlake wins 42-7.
Ventura vs. Thousand Oaks. Prediction: Ventura wins 31-13.
Moorpark vs. Santa Barbara. Prediction: Moorpark wins 27-7.
Coastal 101 League
Agoura vs. Buena. Prediction: Agoura wins 35-17.
Del Rey League
La Salle vs. Crespi. Prediction: Crespi wins 42-12.
Alemany vs. St. Anthony. Prediction: Alemany wins 28-14.
Valley Mission League
Kennedy vs. Panorama. Prediction: Kennedy wins 42-14.
Van Nuys vs. Sylmar. Prediction: Sylmar wins 24-17.
Foothill League
Castaic vs. Canyon. Prediction: Castaic wins 21-12.
Del Rey League
Harvard-Westlake vs. Salesian. Prediction: Harvard-Westlake wins 28-20.
Marmonte League
Simi Valley vs. St. Bonaventure. Prediction: St. Bonaventure wins 31-17.
Oaks Christian vs. Oxnard Pacifica. Prediction: Pacifica wins 21-7.
Bishop Diego vs. Newbury Park. Prediction: Newbury Park wins 35-21.
East Valley League
North Hollywood vs. Arleta, 3:30 p.m. Prediction: Arleta wins 31-21.
Monroe vs. Verdugo Hills. Prediction: Verdugo Hills wins 35-14.
Fulton vs. Grant. Prediction: Fulton wins 20-14.
Angelus League
St. Paul vs. Paraclete. Prediction: Paraclete wins 24-21.
St. Francis vs. Cathedral. Prediction: St. Francis 27-10.
Tri-County League
Santa Paula vs. Royal. Prediction: Royal wins 21-14.
Ironwood League
Village Christian vs. Heritage Christian. Prediction: Heritage Christian wins 35-17.
Boulder League
Burroughs vs. South Pasadena. Prediction: Burroughs wins 27-21.
San Marino vs. Crescenta Valley. Prediction: Crescenta Valley 35-28.
Citrus Coast League
Grace vs. Santa Clara. Prediction: Grace wins 27-21.
Golden League
Knight vs. Quartz Hill. Prediction: Quartz Hill wins 38-27.
Palmdale vs. Eastside. Prediction: Eastside wins 31-21.
Antelope Valley vs. Highland. Prediction: Highland wins 24-17.
SATURDAY
Littlerock vs. Lancaster. Prediction: Lancaster wins 31-28.