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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That’s why 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 4 schedule.
PREDICTIONS: HUNTLEY’S SIX PICKS
JSerra vs. Bishop Amat: These are two teams that haven’t faced many challenges in recent weeks. JSerra did anything it wanted on offense in a 63-0 win over Oak Hills last week. Bishop Amat beat that same Oak Hills team 22-3 with a strong defensive performance. Bishop Amat is much better this season but JSerra is a class above.
The pick: JSerra
Inglewood vs. Long Beach Poly: Lincoln Jahn threw for 333 yards with five touchdowns last week in a win over Franklin of Elk Grove. He will have a harder time throwing against a Long Beach Poly secondary led by Miami commit Donte Wright. Inglewood’s defense is good enough to keep Poly at arm’s length.
The pick: Inglewood
Yorba Linda vs. Huntington Beach: Yorba Linda is 4-0 and has allowed just 20 points in its last three games. Huntington Beach throws the ball well with Ohio State commit Brady Edmunds and receivers Dylin Bruce and Skylar Robinson. Yorba Linda has played well against good quarterbacks this season.
The pick: Yorba Linda
Saugus vs. Golden Valley: Saugus won this matchup last season after losing the previous two games against Golden Valley. The Centurions have been playing two quarterbacks, Brayden Connelly and Zachary Barnes, and it has been working well. Golden Valley running back Aaron McCormick ran for 189 yards with three touchdowns against Saugus last year.
The pick: Golden Valley
San Jacinto vs. Great Oak: Great Oak bounced back from a tough loss to Capistrano Valley with a win over Murrieta Mesa last week. Trent Lux is one of the best quarterbacks in the Inland Empire and Kannon Terracciano is a playmaker. San Jacinto’s defense has four interceptions in three games.
The pick: Great Oak
Culver City vs. Warren: Warren is 4-0 for the first time since 2021 and Jordan Malikin has 17 touchdowns with just one interception. Culver City can throw the ball well too with Nicholas Hoang and has played tough competition this season.
The pick: Warren
HUNTLEY’S PLAYERS TO WATCH
LJ Ulmer, RB, Northwood: Ulmer ran for 166 yards with three touchdowns against Woodbridge last week. He led Northwood in rushing last season when the Timberwolves played this week’s opponent, Portola.
Shane McKibbin, WR, Newport Harbor: McKibbin had 110 yards receiving with two touchdowns when Newport Harbor played Colony last season. He leads the Sailors in receiving again this season and could be due for a big game against Colony again this week.
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Marcus Fakatou, DL, Sierra Canyon: Fakatou is playing his former team, Orange Lutheran, where he earned All-County honors from the Orange County Register. The Ohio State commit has two sacks this season and will want to have a big game against his former teammates.
Mario Luna, OL, Orange Lutheran: Luna is the right tackle for Orange Lutheran who will be matched up with Fakatou most of the time. The sophomore is a two-year starter for the Lancers and will have his toughest matchup of the season against Sierra Canyon.
KJ Paea, DL, Bishop Amat: Paea leads Bishop Amat’s defense with 26 tackles and eight sacks in just four games. He faces a JSerra team that has a Colorado State commit at one tackle position and a top junior recruit at the other tackle. Paea will need to have a big game rushing the passer for the Lancers to slow down JSerra’s offense.
Gatsbee Gumban, RB, Nogales: Gumban is facing his former team, Covina, where he ran for 1,212 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He has the fourth most rushing yards in the Southern Section this season with 192 yards per game and 10 touchdowns.
Kachisicho Ejimako, LB, Lawndale: This week Lawndale plays Monrovia, which has rushed for 230 yards per game this season. Ejimako is the leading tackler at linebacker for Lawndale and will have plenty of tackling opportunities to stop the run.
Dominic Golia, QB, West Torrance: Golia has 11 passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns for West Torrance. He plays a Peninsula team that has played well recently, but allowed big rushing games in its first two games.
R’shon Livingston, DL, Gahr: Gahr plays Ocean View this week and the Seahawks run the ball on 85 percent of their offensive plays. Livingston leads Gahr in tackles and will have his hands full against Ocean View’s run game.
Ezel Jett, LB, Bellflower: Bellflower plays a Dominguez team that rushed for negative yardage last week and gave up six sacks the week prior. Jett leads Bellflower in tackles and can get into the backfield as well.
Vincent Scates, LB, San Dimas: Scates has the lone interception this season for San Dimas and has 27 tackles. San Dimas plays a Western team that had five turnovers against Aliso Niguel last week.
Makhi Cook, WR, Chino Hills: Cook is Chino Hills’ leading receiver this season and plays against St. Pius X-St. Matthias, which allowed seven passing touchdowns against San Juan Hills last week.
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