This could be one of those special Friday nights in the high school football season — excellent weather, great games, exciting matchups.
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The Southern California News Group will have reporters covering more than 30 games tonight, ready to report on everything that happens.
Before the games start, check out what high school football analyst Michael Huntley has put together — his list of the “players to watch” and his predictions for some of the top games on the Week 7 schedule.
PREDICTIONS: HUNTLEY’S SIX PICKS
Huntington Beach vs. Dana Hills: Dana Hills is 6-0 but its opponents have a record of 9-28 on the field this season. Dana Hills’ Carter Anderson throws for 212 yards per game and Jack Norman has eight touchdown catches. Ohio State commit Brady Edmunds throws for 225 yards per game. This might be the Delta League championship game.
The pick: Dana Hills
Inglewood vs. Palos Verdes: Inglewood ran for 361 yards last week against Mira Costa and had a lot of big plays. Palos Verdes linebacker Weston Reis is a high-level run stopper and the Sea Kings have allowed just 10 points in their last three games.
The pick: Palos Verdes
Norco vs. Chaparral: Chaparral is back to potentially being a top 15 team in the Section with the return of quarterback Dane Weber. Norco throws the ball well too with quarterback Julian Medina and BYU commit Blake Wong returned from injury at receiver last week.
The pick: Chaparral
Millikan vs. Lakewood: Millikan has played a very strong schedule and was competitive against Palos Verdes for a bit until things spiraled last week. Jonah Tuaniga should have a big game at quarterback for the Rams against a Lakewood team that gave up a lot of passing yards against Long Beach Poly last week.
The pick: Millikan
Chaminade vs. Bishop Amat: Chaminade played well against Notre Dame last week and nearly won while playing a freshman quarterback in his first start. Bishop Amat edged Serra despite having three turnovers. Freshman Ayden Bias ran for 110 yards including a 46-yard touchdown run.
The pick: Bishop Amat
Villa Park vs. La Habra: Villa Park struggled offensively against an excellent Corona del Mar team last week after averaging 50 points per game in nonleague play. The Spartans have an excellent linebacker trio in Maverick Declark, Parker Johns and Ethan Hedrick. La Habra ran the ball well in a loss to Capo Valley last week but threw for just 104 yards.
The pick: Villa Park
HUNTLEY’S PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nasir Walker, DE, Crean Lutheran: Walker had 12 tackles with a sack and five hurries in Crean Lutheran’s win over Tustin last week. Crean Lutheran will need to get pressure on Capo Valley quarterback Talon Spencer to stop the Cougars’ high-powered offense.
Logan Zack, LB, Trabuco Hills: Zack has 76 tackles which is the third most in Orange County. Trabuco Hills faces Foothill, which runs the ball on 56 percent of its snaps.
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Dane Weber, QB, Chaparral: Weber returned from a thumb injury last week and had four touchdowns in a blowout win over Murrieta Valley. The Cal commit threw for 339 yards with four touchdowns and ran for two scores against this week’s opponent, Norco, last season.
Aaron Patton, DB, Temecula Valley: Patton leads Temecula Valley in interceptions and has 30 tackles. Temecula Valley plays King, which threw four touchdown passes in a win over Corona last week.
Damani Porras, WR/DB, Downey: Porras led Downey in receiving and had an interception against crosstown rival Warren last season. The New Mexico commit has seven receiving touchdowns and an interception this season for the Vikings.
Ethan Coach, LB, St. John Bosco: Coach had nine tackles with two for a loss in the regular season against Orange Lutheran last year. The Washington commit had five tackles with a forced fumble against JSerra last week.
Brandon Billups, DB, Bishop Amat: Billups led Bishop Amat with 11 tackles in its win over Serra last week. He plays a Chaminade team this week that may be playing a freshman quarterback and he had an interception against the Eagles last season.
Joshua Williams, DE, Palos Verdes: Williams leads Palos Verdes in sacks and faces Inglewood, who throws for 238 yards per game. He will need to pressure Inglewood quarterback Lincoln Jahn to slow down the Sentinel’s passing attack.
Ace Taylor, OL, Serra: Taylor is the starting right tackle for Serra and will need to have a big game against Sierra Canyon’s elite defensive line.
Darrien Johnson, WR, Newbury Park: Johnson had 117 yards with two touchdowns last week in a win over Bishop Diego and leads Newbury Park in receiving. The Panthers will need to have a big game throwing the ball to keep pace with Pacifica’s offense.
Caesar Reyes, RB, Garfield: Reyes ran for 374 yards with five touchdowns for Garfield last week against Bell. Garfield is playing South East and ran for 386 yards with six touchdowns against the Jaguars last season.
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