Previews of the area’s top high school football games Friday. Games start at 7 p.m.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Salesian (5-2) at Crespi (7-0)
The Celts’ biggest test yet, and it comes against a league opponent for what will likely determine the Del Rey League title. Salesian has played better teams than Crespi, so it’s easy to argue that the Mustangs are more battle-tested, especially with their loss to the San Gabriel Valley’s top-ranked team, Damien.
On the other hand, the Celts have taken care of business against lesser opponents — the sign of a good team, not dropping their level of play. Sophomore QB Chase Curren is all the rage and has thrown for 1,305 yards and 21 touchdowns (four INTs), and the Crespi defense has performed well, too. Darryl Jones leads the team in tackles and lineman James Moffat is the anchor up front.
Crespi’s defense let up 28 points against Oak Park, but hasn’t given up more than 16 points in its other games.
HSratings.com, which uses a computer to predict scores and provide the playoff pairings for the CIF Southern Section playoffs, predicts Salesian is going to win 31-28. But that computer can’t equate how badly Crespi coach Brad Vonnahme wants this one.
Tarek’s pick: Crespi
Notre Dame (4-3) at Sierra Canyon (7-0)
The question ahead of this game isn’t which team is going to win, it’s wondering how Notre Dame will respond after falling to Bishop Amat 36-29 last week. Not to mention, letting Ryan Salcedo run for 351 yards and five touchdowns — frankly, inexcusable.
The Knights are still in the driver’s seat to finish within the top three in league, which would earn them an automatic playoff berth.
For Sierra Canyon, it can’t let up, especially after Santa Margarita beat Mater Dei last week, which has created more opportunity for the Trailblazers to be a top seed in the Division 1 playoffs and avoid having to play one of two juggernauts: Mater Dei or St. John Bosco.
Tarek’s pick: Sierra Canyon
Newbury Park (5-2) at Westlake (7-0)
The Warriors showed they are capable of winning a big game by beating rival Thousand Oaks convincingly last week. Now, they have a test against a Newbury Park team that has been revitalized by backup QB Tayler Mayer, who threw for four TDs in last week’s win over Calabasas.
Westlake is led by running back Demanie Bell, and that helps freshman QB Ford Green pass the ball down the field.
I don’t think it’s wise to pick against Rick and Casey Clausen again, so I won’t.
Tarek’s pick: Westlake
Cathedral (3-4) at Paraclete (6-1)
The Spirits might be the most under-the-radar team in SoCal. Paraclete, which is located in Lancaster, has put together quite a season with wins over St. Pius X-St. Matthias, which beat Newbury Park, and a lone loss to Valencia by just three points.
Paraclete is dangerous with QB Joseph Mesa (1,737 yards passing, 22 TDs) and sophomore running back Kyle Fulton Jr. (771 yards rushing, six TDs)
Tarek’s pick: Paraclete
Cleveland (2-5) at El Camino Real (3-4)
This is a big game for both programs. Both are 1-1 in the West Valley League. Both are vying for position in the City Section Division I playoffs.
ECR currently sits at No. 19 in the rankings. Cleveland is No. 20. Assuming the Open Division is eight teams, that puts these two teams in the bottom half of the Division I playoffs. Could a loss drop one of these teams into Division 2?
Only time will tell.
Tarek’s pick: Cleveland. Cavs make one more big play to decide the game.