Previews and predictions for the top high school football games in Orange County this week. The teams are listed with their ranking this week in the Orange County Top 25.
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GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 22 Trabuco Hills (3-1) vs. No. 23 El Modena (4-0)
Where, when: El Modena High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: There is a thin schedule for Orange County football games this week since many teams are taking a bye before starting league play. But this matchup is a good one. Trabuco Hills and El Modena are built similarly. Both are hard-hitting, well-coached teams that will make few if any mistakes. Trabuco Hills has beaten Norte Vista, Bellflower and El Toro. El Modena has wins over Segerstrom, Tesoro, Foothill and El Dorado. Trabuco Hills has a productive running game that features senior Luke Hoffman, who is averaging 99 rushing yards a game. The Mustangs have good offensive balance too, with Jackson Verplancke at quarterback and Beckham Nolan and Nate Davis at receiver. El Modena has had a series of dual-threat quarterbacks in recent seasons. The latest is senior Ethan Sorenson, who has passed for 685 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for team highs of 256 yards and four touchdowns. He got better as the game progressed last week in a 29-9 win over El Dorado. Both teams tend to get stronger in the second half of games. This game might not be settled until deep into the fourth quarter. Trabuco Hills had a bye last week, so the Mustangs should be rested and healthy for this one.
Winner: Trabuco Hills
Summit (4-1) vs. No. 18 Edison (1-3)
Where, when: Huntington Beach High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: A 1-3 record and No. 18 ranking in Orange County are unusual for Edison. Injuries have troubled the Chargers and their schedule has been tough. The teams Edison has lost to are 17-2. The Chargers need to have senior quarterback Sam Thomson and senior running back Sam Edmisten healthy and productive to have a chance against their challenging schedule. They have five games coming up in the outstanding Alpha League. Three of Summit’s wins are by shutout. The SkyHawks beat El Toro last week, 17-7. They are adept at creating turnovers. If healthy, the Chargers can win a game like this.
Winner: Edison
Laguna Hills (3-1) vs. St. Margaret’s (4-0)
Where, when: St. Margaret’s High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Laguna Hills is close to being 4-0. The Hawks’ loss was to Irvine, 24-20. They were driving in the final moments of the game when an interception ended Laguna Hills’ attempt to retake the lead. The Hawks have balance on offense with Jaxson Vanderbeek at quarterback and running back Drew Meyers (404 rushing yards). In the Laguna Hills-Irvine game, Irvine running back Seamus Hoffman carved up Laguna Hills for 202 rushing yards. St. Margaret’s brings a productive running attack into this game. Senior back Sam Orellana rushed for 214 yards and five touchdowns last week in the Tartans’ 49-14 win over Capistrano Valley Christian. St. Margaret’s has a decent passing game, too. Senior quarterback Kai Letcher has completed 64 percent of his passes for 696 yards and seven touchdowns. Five of those touchdown passes were caught by Jack Kleinhanzl. Look for Orellana to have another productive game with the Letcher-Kleinhanzl connection contributing as St. Margaret’s rises to 5-0.
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Winner: St. Margaret’s
No. 6 San Clemente (4-0) vs. Murrieta Valley (2-2)
Where, when: Murrieta Valley High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: San Clemente has played Murrieta Valley in each of the past five seasons. Murrieta Valley won the last four games, including 26-14 at San Clemente last year. The two schools also met twice in CIF Southern Section playoff games over the past 10 years. The Tritons have defeated some good teams this season. They beat Tustin, 17-0, and La Costa Canyon, 31-21. San Clemente junior quarterback Preston Beck has completed 74 percent of his passes for 763 yards and four touchdowns. Senior receiver Ryan Matheson has 29 receptions for 354 yards and three touchdowns. San Clemente receiver/safety Jaxson Rex has 21 receptions for 226 yards and a team-high 20 solo tackles. Murrieta Valley has won two in a row since a 42-10 loss to Servite. San Clemente is the better team on offense and defense, and is well rested after having a bye last week.
Winner: San Clemente
No. 7 Servite (2-2) vs. Damien (3-2)
Where, when: Damien High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Live coverage: Spectrum News 1
Analysis: Servite had a bye last week after beating St. Paul, 69-14. In that win, junior quarterback Gino Wang was 10 of 13 passing for 113 yards and three touchdowns. Speedy junior running back Jorden Wells rushed for 105 yards and three touchdowns on only six carries. Damien lost to Tustin, 21-10, two weeks ago before last week’s 38-21 win over Salesian. Cai Wallace returned an interception 51 yards for a touchdown against Salesian. Servite might have created some momentum with its win over St. Paul. Winning this game would grow that momentum, something Servite will need going into the start of Trinity League play.
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Winner: Servite
Fryer on Football last week: 4-1
Season to date: 15-10