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Game of the Week
Carlsbad vs. St. Augustine Thu. 7 p.m. at Mater Dei HS
First game of the season is first Game of the Week
Football fans get to start the season a day early with a cross-division matchup. This game will mark the debut of new St. Augustine head coach Richard Sanchez. Sanchez will rely on the tandem of junior quarterback Evan Crower (2,905 yards and 31 touchdowns last year) and senior wide receiver Dana Barbaro, who caught 64 passes for 831 yards last year. Despite finishing 7-6 last year, Carlsbad made it to the Division I semifinals, losing to eventual champion La Costa Canyon. Much of the Lancers’ success this season depends on the play of their new quarterback after losing Mike Leonard to graduation. Carlsbad has won three straight in this series including a 26-19 win last year.
In the Red Zone
Our Lady of Good Counsel (Maryland) at Valhalla Fri. 7 p.m.
The Norsemen earn the distinction of the toughest game of the first week when they welcome USA Today’s No. 7 team in the east region to El Cajon. Valhalla quarterback Pete Thomas is the section’s leading returning passer and was one of three quarterbacks to throw for more than 3,000 yards in 2008. The Arizona State verbal commit also has senior back Traivonne Brown at his disposal, a 1,000-yard rusher from last season. Expect the Orange Nation to be in full force when the Falcons roll into town, a team that returns 13 starters from an 11-1 effort in 2008.
Best of the Rest
Hoover at Francis Parker Fri. 7 p.m.
Big school-small school matchups are always intriguing, and this tilt between the Division II Cardinals and the defending Division V champion Lancers should be no exception. Francis Parker’s only loss last year was at Division II Westview in their season opener. The Lancers will lean on do-it-all senior quarterback and safety Deon Randall for leadership as they look to defend their section title. The Cardinals (5-6 in 2008) were 1-4 on the road last season. Can Francis Parker make up for a lack of size against Hoover?
Vista at Mira Mesa Fri. 6:30 p.m.
The Marauders have recently owned this Division I clash between north and south, unbeaten in their last four against the Panthers. In last year’s game, Mira Mesa won 16-14 on safety with 37 seconds left. Both defenses could shine in this one as Vista and Mira Mesa roll out new quarterbacks. With two of the toughest non-league schedules in the section, both teams will want to have this early win under their belt.
Scripps Ranch at Poway Fri. 7 p.m.
The Falcons and Titans have met each of the past two years in this I-15 rivalry and Poway has won both meetings against their neighbors to the south. Defense was nowhere to be found in last year’s game in which both teams combined for 95 points. Both offenses come in adjust to the loss of a star offensive player, quarterback Tate Forcier for Scripps Ranch and running back Nick Ricciardulli for Poway.
Game of the Week
Carlsbad vs. St. Augustine Thu. 7 p.m. at Mater Dei HS
First game of the season is first Game of the Week
Football fans get to start the season a day early with a cross-division matchup. This game will mark the debut of new St. Augustine head coach Richard Sanchez. Sanchez will rely on the tandem of junior quarterback Evan Crower (2,905 yards and 31 touchdowns last year) and senior wide receiver Dana Barbaro, who caught 64 passes for 831 yards last year. Despite finishing 7-6 last year, Carlsbad made it to the Division I semifinals, losing to eventual champion La Costa Canyon. Much of the Lancers’ success this season depends on the play of their new quarterback after losing Mike Leonard to graduation. Carlsbad has won three straight in this series including a 26-19 win last year.
In the Red Zone
Our Lady of Good Counsel (Maryland) at Valhalla Fri. 7 p.m.
The Norsemen earn the distinction of the toughest game of the first week when they welcome USA Today’s No. 7 team in the east region to El Cajon. Valhalla quarterback Pete Thomas is the section’s leading returning passer and was one of three quarterbacks to throw for more than 3,000 yards in 2008. The Arizona State verbal commit also has senior back Traivonne Brown at his disposal, a 1,000-yard rusher from last season. Expect the Orange Nation to be in full force when the Falcons roll into town, a team that returns 13 starters from an 11-1 effort in 2008.
Best of the Rest
Hoover at Francis Parker Fri. 7 p.m.
Big school-small school matchups are always intriguing, and this tilt between the Division II Cardinals and the defending Division V champion Lancers should be no exception. Francis Parker’s only loss last year was at Division II Westview in their season opener. The Lancers will lean on do-it-all senior quarterback and safety Deon Randall for leadership as they look to defend their section title. The Cardinals (5-6 in 2008) were 1-4 on the road last season. Can Francis Parker make up for a lack of size against Hoover?
Vista at Mira Mesa Fri. 6:30 p.m.
The Marauders have recently owned this Division I clash between north and south, unbeaten in their last four against the Panthers. In last year’s game, Mira Mesa won 16-14 on safety with 37 seconds left. Both defenses could shine in this one as Vista and Mira Mesa roll out new quarterbacks. With two of the toughest non-league schedules in the section, both teams will want to have this early win under their belt.
Scripps Ranch at Poway Fri. 7 p.m.
The Falcons and Titans have met each of the past two years in this I-15 rivalry and Poway has won both meetings against their neighbors to the south. Defense was nowhere to be found in last year’s game in which both teams combined for 95 points. Both offenses come in adjust to the loss of a star offensive player, quarterback Tate Forcier for Scripps Ranch and running back Nick Ricciardulli for Poway.