The Daily News’ previews of the featured high school football games Friday and Saturday.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Hart (7-2) at Valencia (7-1)
This rivalry is as classic as it gets. Two foundational schools in the Santa Clarita Valley. Two foundational programs within the Foothill League. Both programs have had players go on to the NFL.
But the irony is none of that matters when the two teams face each other Friday night. Both teams are led by their respective standout quarterbacks, both with similar games. Valencia’s Brady Bretthauer has thrown for 991 yards and 15 touchdowns while tallying 425 yards on the ground with seven more scores. Hart’s Jacob Paisano has thrown for 1,782 yards and 23 touchdowns while piling up 535 yards rushing and 10 scores.
Additional power players like Valencia running back Brian Bonner and Hart’s Matix Frithsmith will certainly make their presence known, but the key to the game will be defense. Which defense can get more stops?
Slight edge Valencia, especially when considering the schedule it has played. The Vikings are more battle-tested.
Tarek’s pick: Valencia
Loyola (4-4) at Chaminade (4-4)
The San Fernando Valley’s most up-and-down team this season is Chaminade — and it’s not even close. Through eight games the Eagles have been outscored 234-200, yet they sit in second place in the Mission League with a pivotal home game against a very capable Loyola team that has also shown signs of inconsistency.
Question is: Which teams will show up Friday night?
Chaminade has been trending upward, especially considering the wins over Bishop Amat and Gardena Serra. Loyola also beat Serra in a stunning result, but in a low-scoring affair. Chaminade can score and will make it hard for Loyola to keep up. The Eagles have an opportunity to go 3-1 in the Mission League and finish second with the Cubs and Notre Dame left on the slate.
I don’t see the Eagles squandering the opportunity this week.
Tarek’s pick: Chaminade
Notre Dame (4-4) at Serra (3-5)
Notre Dame started its Mission League campaign strong with a win over Loyola, but has since dropped two games in a row to Bishop Amat (in a stunning result) and Sierra Canyon (no surprise).
That said, with Serra and Chaminade left on the schedule, the Knights have their proverbial backs against the wall if they want to earn a third-place spot in the league standings for an automatic playoff berth.
Serra is 0-3 in league, which makes me think we’re in a prep football twilight zone because that is unheard of. The Cavs defense is elite, but they are inept on offense. More balanced teams like Loyola have beaten Serra this year.
This is a must-win game for Notre Dame.
Tarek’s pick: Notre Dame
Camarillo (2-6) at Oaks Christian (2-6)
The unprecedented season continues for Oaks Christian, but there’s a glimmer of hope for the Lions to finish within the top three of the Marmonte League to earn an automatic playoff berth, as they have two-win Camarillo and three-win Simi Valley left on the schedule.
Even if Oaks wins both games, the four-win season will be the program’s lowest regular-season win total ever.
Oaks Christian has played a juggernaut schedule that should allow its players to be unfazed by anything the Scorpions do … but only time will tell.
Tarek’s pick: Oaks Christian
Harvard-Westlake (3-5) vs. Crespi (8-0) at SoFi Stadium, Saturday, 8 pm.
Not much to break down in this matchup other than to appreciate the venue it’s being played in, which provides the student-athletes, coaches and fans a memorable experience.
SoFi Stadium, home of the NFL’s Rams and Chargers, has hosted high school football games every weekend this fall. That’s pretty cool.
Maybe, just maybe, something about Saturday night’s game in an NFL stadium will be prophetic when Crespi sophomore QB Chase Curren throws multiple touchdowns.
Tarek’s pick: Crespi