GAME OF THE WEEK
NO. 3 SANTA MARGARITA (4-0) VS. NO. 4 LOS ALAMITOS (2-2)
Where, when: Veterans Stadium, Long Beach, Thursday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Los Alamitos plays a Trinity League team for the second week in a row. The Griffins last week knocked off Servite 47-14. Los Alamitos quarterback Malachi Nelson was terrific, completing 13 of 21 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns. His connection with senior Makai Lemon was on display. Lemon finished with five catches for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Damian Henderson is a secret weapon for Los Alamitos, although he should no longer be a secret after rushing for 202 yards and three touchdowns against Servite. Santa Margarita has on-the-field wins over San Juan Hills, Norco and, last week, a 63-6 victory over Colorado’s Mullen. The Eagles have a forfeit win, too. When these teams played each other last season Los Alamitos had a large lead at halftime before Santa Margarita rallied for a 42-21 victory. Santa Margarita senior quarterback Jaxon Potter has completed 67 percent of his passes for an average of 206 yards a game. Potter relies a lot, perhaps too much, on junior receiver Emmett Mosely, who has caught 20 of Potter’s 54 completions. Los Alamitos and Santa Margarita both have effective running games. The key to this game could be the Santa Margarita defensive backfield. Lemon found plenty of open areas in the deep middle against Servite. Santa Margarita will patrol that area far more diligently.
Winner: Santa Margarita
NO. 5 EDISON (4-0) VS. NO. 7 SAN CLEMENTE (4-0)
Where, when: San Clemente High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Edison hammered San Clemente 42-0 last season. This one will be different. This San Clemente team is better than the ’21 model. The Tritons defense is a good one, featuring linebackers Cole Robertson, who is averaging seven solo tackles a game, and Nolan Reid, who has five sacks. Running back Blake Allen sparks the San Clemente offense, averaging 86 rushing yards a game. Edison quarterback Parker Awad is off to a great start. He has completed 69 percent of his throws for an average of 255 yards a game with 11 touchdowns and one interception. Awad spreads the passes around, too. Four receivers are in double figures in receptions; Ashton Hurley has 16 catches, Tucker Tripp has 15, Mason York has 10 and running back Carter Hogue has 10. The Chargers run the ball well, too, with Hogue averaging 93 rushing yards a game. Edison showed its mettle two weeks ago with a 34-13 win over No. 6 Orange Lutheran. San Clemente looked good in its 23-6 win over Corona del Mar last week. This looks like a close game, perhaps a low-scoring one, too. The Chargers’ offensive balance, thanks in large part to yet another solid group of linemen, and swarming defense will get Edison to 5-0.
Winner: Edison
NO. 14 EL MODENA (3-0) VS. NO. 21 LA HABRA (1-3)
Where, when: La Habra High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: A county ranking of No. 21 is the lowest for La Habra in a long time. The Highlanders are young, starting as many as four sophomores on offense, and injuries have smacked their roster. They will be better once the transfer sit-out period expires Sept. 26; their running backs corps will get nice additions. This is one of the better El Modena teams in some time. Sophomore quarterback Xavier Guess does not throw often, 43 passes over three games, but his completion percentage of 68 is fine and he is a productive runner averaging 63 rushing yards a game. Owen Smith is that quick and elusive running back one would expect from a guy who is 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds. Mayson Hitchens (6-1, 215) is the power back. Hitchens also leads the team in solo tackles with 20 at linebacker. El Modena in this one will be good again in all facets of the game.
Winner: El Modena
NO. 23 TRABUCO HILLS (3-0) VS. NO. 12 NEWPORT HARBOR (3-1)
Where, when: Newport Harbor High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Trabuco Hills has that 3-0 record against teams that are a cumulative 1-11. This one will give a better indication about the Mustangs. They have a dynamic quarterback, senior Will Burns, who is averaging 181 passing yards and 80 rushing yards a game. Newport Harbor lost to No. 9 JSerra by a touchdown two weeks ago before getting a 28-21 win over Capistrano Valley last week. Sailors senior receiver Kashton Henjum has 24 receptions for 600 yards and six touchdowns. Senior safety Carson de Avila averages 11 tackles a game. Look for Henjum to have another big game and for the Sailors defense to come through again.
Winner: Newport Harbor
BREA OLINDA (2-1) VS. FULLERTON (2-2)
Where, when: Fullerton High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Brea won its first two games, over California and Valencia, before losing to Sunny Hills 16-0 last week. Receiver Roman Meraz, All-North Hills League first team last season, is having another good season with 16 receptions for 179 yards. Fullerton lost to San Dimas 33-6, defeated Whittier 39-7, lost to high-scoring Canyon 49-14 and last week beat Santa Fe Springs 20-0. Defensive linemen Isaac Galvez, Jaden Pulsifer and David Williams led the Indians’ shutout of Santa Fe Springs. If that defense plays as well as it did last week, Fullerton gets past the .500 mark.
Winner: Fullerton
Fryer on Football last week: 3-2
Season to date: 11-9
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