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Three under-the-radar storylines to watch in football Friday:
1. Will San Clemente make another statement on the road against one of San Diego’s best teams?
The Tritons (3-0) aren’t a low-profile team but if they handle host La Costa Canyon (2-1), it might be time to look at them as a bigger threat to Mission Viejo (2-1) in the Alpha League than expected.
La Costa Canyon is No. 4 this week in the San Diego Union-Tribune rankings.
A decisive win by San Clemente would be impressive since it beat Chaparral 32-20 on the road last week.
Quarterback Preston Beck completed 19 of 21 passes for 228 yards and one TD in his best game of the season. Later in the weekend, San Diego State offered the junior.
Junior QB @PrestonBeck28 picks up an offer from @AztecFB after an unofficial visit this weekend More to come for this rising junior 🔱 pic.twitter.com/4FjOrc7nWw
— Triton Football (@Tritonfootball) September 8, 2026
Surprisingly, San Clemente dropped a few spots this week to No. 9 in the county. I voted the team a bit higher at No. 7.
Remember, the Tritons play host to Mission Viejo this season. That showdown remains a ways off at Oct. 16 but San Clemente is playing well and the Diablos (2-1) fell last week at Folsom.
2. Can Cypress continue its sizzling start against Torrance?
Cypress (3-0), ranked No. 23 in Orange County, faces its toughest test when it plays host to Torrance (2-1), the No 6 team for the Daily Breeze.
The Centurions are one of the most improved teams in Orange County and a contender in the intriguing Iota League.
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If they beat or stick close to Torrance, they could vault to favorite status over Laguna Hills (3-0) and Pacifica (3-0).
Keep an eye on Cypress quarterback Justin Hall and edge Garrison Manzanarez.
Hall, a junior, has completed 62 percent of his passes for 573 yards and seven TDs with no interceptions. Manzanarez, a senior committed to Wyoming, lead the team with 25 total tackles.
WEEK 3: 21 TO 7 WIN OVER EISENHOWER. 3 AND 0!
HUSTLE AND ATTITUDE!! LETS GOOO pic.twitter.com/xsclVmjSm6
— GARRISON MANZANAREZ 3 ⭐ (@gmanzanarez50) September 6, 2026
Things are going to stay interesting for Cypress the next two games.
Next week, the Centurions play Foothill, which travels to El Modena on Friday in another good matchup. Cypress then takes its bye before opening the Iota League against Pacifica.
Laguna Hills has already defeated Foothill.
And don’t forget about Northwood in the Iota League. The Timberwolves (2-1) face Woodbridge (0-3) on Friday at Portola High with a chance to go 2-0 in the race for the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy.
3. Will Ocean View win its third consecutive game to remain a contender in the Sigma League?
The Seahawks (2-1) play host to Linfield Christian (1-2) with a chance to notch a third consecutive win after a season-opening loss against Fountain Valley. That narrow loss, however, is looking better by the day since the higher-rated Barons (2-2) have played well.
For Ocean View, a victory would boost its profile as a contender in the increasingly interesting Sigma League.
Junior running back Trevor Vaivao leads a ground attack that averages almost 300 yards per game.
Sigma League contenders Rancho Alamitos (2-0) and Anaheim (1-1) also have opportunities to progress Friday with games against Garden Grove and University, respectively.
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