Game of the Week
Valhalla (6-2, 3-0 Grossmont South) at Steele Canyon (5-2-1, 2-0-1) Friday 7 p.m.
In a league that Helix has dominated the past three seasons, both the Norsemen and Cougars are all too happy to see the Highlanders get off to a slow start in league play. The team that wins this one should unseat Helix for the league crown. Valhalla is led by quarterback and Arizona State commit Pete Thomas, who comes in throwing for 225 yards per game. For the Cougars, football is a family affair – quarterback Brad Boehmke is the son of coach Ron Boehmke. Both teams come in riding streaks – the Norseman have won their last four, while the Cougars are unbeaten in their last five. Each team also has a stud running back – Traivonne Brown for Valhalla and Alex Perlin for Steele Canyon. Last year, the Norsemen beat the Cougars twice, including a 28-0 win in the Division III semifinals.
Best of the Rest
Oceanside (8-0, 4-0 Valley) at Valley Center (8-0, 4-0) Friday 7 p.m.
The last regular season match-up of unbeatens and the only game of the regular season featuring defending section champions should be a dandy. Oceanside faces their toughest test since Long Beach Poly when they make the hour trip out to Jaguar country. The Pirates have beaten their first four league opponents by a score of 204-24, while Valley Center comes in averaging only 9.5 points per game. Will Quentis Clark and Oceanside pass their way to a win, or can Stanton Upson and the Valley Center ground game play keep away?
St. Augustine (6-2, 2-1 Eastern) at Cathedral Catholic (7-1, 2-1) Friday 7 p.m.
With the top four teams in the Eastern League sporting an identical 2-1 mark in league play, the winner of this year’s Holy Bowl could separate themselves from the pack. Can Evan Crower and the Saints passing game get it going against the stingy Dons defense allowing 9.6 points per game? If not, Cathedral Catholic will be on their way to another Eastern League crown. The home team has one each of the last two in this series.
Rancho Bernardo (7-1, 3-0 Palomar) at Vista (6-2, 3-0) Friday 7 p.m.
In season where the bottom four teams in the Palomar League are a combined 6-25-1, Rancho Bernardo and Vista are the only legitimate contenders. The team that wins this one should be in line to take home the league title. These teams feature contrasting offensive styles: Rancho Bernardo likes to air it out with a spread attack led by quarterback Devin Saunders, while Vista has a balanced attack relying on the running of speedy back Jordan Alexander. The Panthers have won the last three in this series.
Eastlake (6-0-2, 3-0 Mesa) vs Bonita Vista (6-2, 2-1) Friday 7 p.m. at Southwestern College
So far Eastlake hasn’t been tested in the Mesa League outscoring its first three league opponents by a combined score of 142-23. Will the Barons change that? If they want to have a shot at knocking off the Titans, Bonita Vista’s defense that has pitched four shutouts this season will have to slow down an Eastlake offense loaded with talent that comes in averaging 41.2 points per game. Eastlake has won the last three games in this series.
Game of the Week
Valhalla (6-2, 3-0 Grossmont South) at Steele Canyon (5-2-1, 2-0-1) Friday 7 p.m.
In a league that Helix has dominated the past three seasons, both the Norsemen and Cougars are all too happy to see the Highlanders get off to a slow start in league play. The team that wins this one should unseat Helix for the league crown. Valhalla is led by quarterback and Arizona State commit Pete Thomas, who comes in throwing for 225 yards per game. For the Cougars, football is a family affair – quarterback Brad Boehmke is the son of coach Ron Boehmke. Both teams come in riding streaks – the Norseman have won their last four, while the Cougars are unbeaten in their last five. Each team also has a stud running back – Traivonne Brown for Valhalla and Alex Perlin for Steele Canyon. Last year, the Norsemen beat the Cougars twice, including a 28-0 win in the Division III semifinals.
Best of the Rest
Oceanside (8-0, 4-0 Valley) at Valley Center (8-0, 4-0) Friday 7 p.m.
The last regular season match-up of unbeatens and the only game of the regular season featuring defending section champions should be a dandy. Oceanside faces their toughest test since Long Beach Poly when they make the hour trip out to Jaguar country. The Pirates have beaten their first four league opponents by a score of 204-24, while Valley Center comes in averaging only 9.5 points per game. Will Quentis Clark and Oceanside pass their way to a win, or can Stanton Upson and the Valley Center ground game play keep away?
St. Augustine (6-2, 2-1 Eastern) at Cathedral Catholic (7-1, 2-1) Friday 7 p.m.
With the top four teams in the Eastern League sporting an identical 2-1 mark in league play, the winner of this year’s Holy Bowl could separate themselves from the pack. Can Evan Crower and the Saints passing game get it going against the stingy Dons defense allowing 9.6 points per game? If not, Cathedral Catholic will be on their way to another Eastern League crown. The home team has one each of the last two in this series.
Rancho Bernardo (7-1, 3-0 Palomar) at Vista (6-2, 3-0) Friday 7 p.m.
In season where the bottom four teams in the Palomar League are a combined 6-25-1, Rancho Bernardo and Vista are the only legitimate contenders. The team that wins this one should be in line to take home the league title. These teams feature contrasting offensive styles: Rancho Bernardo likes to air it out with a spread attack led by quarterback Devin Saunders, while Vista has a balanced attack relying on the running of speedy back Jordan Alexander. The Panthers have won the last three in this series.
Eastlake (6-0-2, 3-0 Mesa) vs Bonita Vista (6-2, 2-1) Friday 7 p.m. at Southwestern College
So far Eastlake hasn’t been tested in the Mesa League outscoring its first three league opponents by a combined score of 142-23. Will the Barons change that? If they want to have a shot at knocking off the Titans, Bonita Vista’s defense that has pitched four shutouts this season will have to slow down an Eastlake offense loaded with talent that comes in averaging 41.2 points per game. Eastlake has won the last three games in this series.