A preview and prediction for each of the top football games in Orange County this week. The teams are listed by their ranking in the Orange County Top 25.
GAME OF THE WEEK
NO. 3 SANTA MARGARITA (3-2) VS. NO. 5 SERVITE (4-1)
Where, when: Santa Ana Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: The top two teams in the Trinity League are, as usual, Mater Dei and St. John Bosco. (I listed those two in alphabetical order, so don’t freak out.) The third-place in a six-team league like the Trinity League receives the final guaranteed playoff berth, so Santa Margarita-Servite is a huge game. Santa Margarita’s losses are to Mission Viejo 7-3 in the season opener and 14-0 this past Saturday against Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas. It might seem weird that the Eagles, with former star quarterback Carson Palmer as the head coach, would struggle to score points. But Mission Viejo and Bishop Gorman have terrific defenses. And keep in mind that Santa Margarita has been without two-time All-County receiver Trent Mosley who has been out because of a foot injury. Mosley is a huge difference-maker. Servite looked bad in its season-opening 42-14 loss to Corona Centennial. That game now is a small image in the rearview mirror. The Friars’ wicked speed has helped them win four in a row with the team averaging 45 points a game during the streak. Servite senior running back Gavin Gutierrez is seventh in Orange County rushing at 570 yards. Benjamin Harris, a junior, and sophomore Jorden Wells are leading sprinters on Servite’s state championship track and field team. They are also playing large roles in Servite’s offense. That’s a lot for any defense to handle. But Santa Margarita, led by All-County senior linebacker Dash Fifita, who committed to Arizona, has the defense to handle that speed. And the Santa Margarita offense isn’t going to be dormant every night.
Winner: Santa Margarita
NO. 1 MATER DEI (3-1) VS. NO. 4 ORANGE LUTHERAN (3-2)
Where, when: Orange Coast College, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Mater Dei might have overlooked some of its first-half opponents, leading to some subpar performances including a 43-36 loss to Centennial. And that issue for the Monarchs could still be in place, with their game against top rival St. John Bosco still a few weeks away, on Oct. 31. Maybe their 27-24 win over Bishop Gorman established momentum, even with Mater Dei idle last week. The Monarchs have the players to roll through their four league games, including this Trinity League opener. This game is the Orange Lutheran debut for senior running back Sean Morris II. Morris, who committed to Northwestern, transferred to Orange Lutheran from Loyola, where he rushed for 1,762 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Morris did not make a change of residence, so by CIF Southern Section rules he had to sit out the first half of the season before becoming eligible this week. Mater Dei has the up-front run stoppers and speed behind them to keep Morris in check and the offense to outscore just about anybody.
Winner: Mater Dei
NO. 8 SAN JUAN HILLS (4-1) VS. NO. 15 CORONA DEL MAR (5-0)
Where, when: Newport Harbor High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Live coverage: Spectrum News1
Analysis: San Juan Hills went 5-0 in the Bravo League last season and looks capable of doing so again. Corona del Mar presents an immediate challenge in this league opener. Corona del Mar looked good on offense and defense last week in a 35-13 win over Trabuco Hills. Senior quarterback Brady Annett completed 14 of 18 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns, Chase Kuchera rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns and Dorsett Stecker had eight receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. The Stallions, whose loss was in Texas to Rockwall-Heath, one of that state’s best teams, is led by senior quarterback Timmy Herr, who has completed 73 percent of his passes for 1,334 yards and 16 touchdowns with only two interceptions. Herr throws to a fine group of receivers led by juniors Luke Frith and Ryan Matheson. It’s going to be difficult for any of the other teams in this very good league to outscore San Juan Hills.
Winner: San Juan Hills
NO. 16 CAPISTRANO VALLEY (4-1) VS. NO. 19 WESTERN (4-1)
Where, when: Western High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: This Delta League opener appears evenly matched. Both teams have won two in a row, and impressively, since they lost. After Capistrano Valley lost to Crean Lutheran 23-6 the Cougars beat Aliso Niguel 35-14 and Foothill 42-7. After Western lost to Huntington Beach 48-7 the Pioneers beat La Mirada 54-14 and San Dimas 55-6. Both have dual-threat quarterbacks. Capistrano Valley junior Talon Spencer has thrown for 746 yards and 15 touchdowns and is the Cougars’ leading rusher with 302 yards. Western junior Chance Thomas has thrown for 1,293 yards and 18 touchdowns and has rushed for 198 yards and four touchdowns. The key offensive player in this game could be Western senior receiver Bunchie Young who has 33 catches for 612 yards and 10 touchdowns and is averaging 19 yards a game. Another big game from Young could push the Pioneers to victory in a close game.
Winner: Western
NO. 17 DANA HILLS (5-0) VS. NO. 22 ALISO NIGUEL (4-1)
Where, when: Aliso Niguel High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: This Foxtrot League opener has two high-scoring teams. Dana Hills is averaging 38 points a game. Aliso Niguel is averaging 35 points a game. So it’s going to be up to the defenses to lead their team to victory. The Dana Hills defense features senior linebacker Thompson Foulger who has 30 solo tackles and two interceptions. Aliso Niguel senior defensive back Carson Etnire has three interceptions. Dana Hills couples its defense, which has allowed only 10 points a game, with a ball-control offense. That combination will get Dana Hills to 6-0 and keep the Dolphins in the running for the championship of a league that also includes very strong and undefeated Laguna Beach.
Winner: Dana Hills