The extreme heat conditions around Southern California have forced high school football teams to make some changes this week, but there are still many competitive games slated for Friday night.
Here are five of the most highly-anticipated games Friday in the Daily News area.
Note: There will be a separate preview of the Sierra Canyon-St. John Bosco game on Saturday.
FRIDAY’S TOP GAMES
Servite (2-0) at Chaminade (0-2), 7:30 p.m.
The Eagles have one of the tougher nonleague schedules in the area and it doesn’t get any easier this week against Servite. The Trinity League team is 2-0 and has outscored opponents 82-17 in its first two games. Chaminade will be tasked with stopping running back and San Diego State commit Quaid Carr, who rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns last week as well as Steele Holcomb, who had 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Defensive ends Joachim Paul and Hudson Manning, who had eight and nine tackles, respectively, against Cathedral last week will have critical roles up front. Linebacker Ronnell Hewitt is also eligible to play and logged eight tackles and one tackle for a loss last week. If they can force Servite into its passing game, a secondary that includes Washington State commit Ishmael Gibbs and Logan Carpenter can get the job done.
Chaminade’s Ishmael Gibbs heads for the end zone after intercepting the ball against Notre Dame October 13, 2023. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Paraclete (1-1) vs. Hart (1-1) at College of the Canyons, 7 p.m.
Paraclete struggled to stop the run last week against Leuzinger but will face a Hart team that has a strong connection in its passing game between quarterback Jacob Paisano and Parker Maxwell. Running back Zach Rogozik keeps the Hawk’s offense balanced.
Paraclete has a strong secondary led by two-way players Stacy Gentle and Savaughn Gentle. Stacy was the Spirits’ leading tackler last week with 11 tackles and each has logged two pass deflections in two games.
Hart’s Zach Rogozik, #22, scores as Burrough’s Braden Turner, #15, can’t make the stop during second quarter action in a non-league game at Burroughs on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Granada Hills Charter (1-1) at Palisades (2-0), 7 p.m.
The Highlanders will travel to Palisades after a location change caused by the extreme heat conditions this week.
Granada Hills is coming off a 53-30 loss in which it gave up 356 rushing yards. Dolphins linebackers Cash Allen and Jake Treibatch are at the forefront of the defense and average 11 and 9.5 tackles per game, respectively.
Pacifica (2-0) at Newbury Park (2-0), 7 p.m.
Newbury Park’s eye-catching offense will go up against an Oxnard Pacifica defense that has only allowed one touchdown in each of its games this season. Quarterback and Florida State commit Brady Smigiel has passed for 482 yards and six touchdowns in two games and Princeton commit Shane Rosenthal has 143 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 11 catches. On defense, Rosenthal has pulled down three interceptions.
Pacifica defensive end Dejuan Colvin could cause problems for the Panthers and has already logged four tackles for a loss, a sack and five QB hurries this season.
Notre Dame (1-1) at St. Francis (0-2), 7 p.m.
St. Francis is still looking for its first win, and Notre Dame won’t make it easy. The Knights have momentum after a big win that came down to the wire last week. Quarterback Steele Pizzella, a Washington State commit, has found his rhythm early and has passed for 439 yards and five touchdowns in two games. Elliot Cooper and Luc Weaver have been two of his favorite targets.
The Golden Knights have struggled on offense but could have senior John Sanders back at quarterback this week. He was injured in the season opener and did not play in last week’s loss to Mira Costa. Defensive lineman Thomas Deluccia can get after the quarterback and has nine total tackles this season to go with two QB hurries.
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