Daily Breeze’s football previews and predictions for Friday’s top games

Daily Breeze

07 September 2023

The game of the week in the area is the Serra-Long Beach Poly meeting, but that isn’t the only good matchup on Friday’s schedule.

Can Palos Verdes remain undefeated as it takes on Edison?

Can Leuzinger avoid the penalties it had last week and defeat Loyola?

Here are our previews and predictions for Friday’s top games.

FRIDAY’S TOP GAMES

Games start at 7 p.m., unless noted.

Long Beach Poly (2-1) at Serra (2-1)

Outlook: What more needs to be said about this meeting? (Don’t worry, I have a lot more.) Poly picked up its second win in the series last season, 17-3. The previous win was 27-21 in overtime in March 2021 during the shortened spring season. Other than that, Serra has won six of the meetings, all by a combined 24 points. Poly rallied to defeat Mission Viejo last week 32-28. After dropping its opener, Serra has won consecutive games, 27-0 over Warren and 47-14 over Cathedral. Containing Poly quarterback Darius Curry will be a key for the Serra defense. On offense, Serra’s Jimmy Butler and Nicholas Johnson are both contributing in their roles and Zachrayus Williams and Cincere Rhaney are two of the top offensive threats around. This figures to be a typical Serra-Poly clash.

Prediction: Serra

Edison (1-1) at Palos Verdes (3-0), 3:15 p.m.

Outlook: The Sea Kings improved to 3-0 with a 14-11 win over Corona del Mar last week, snapping a five-game losing streak against the other Sea Kings. This week, Palos Verdes hosts Edison, which won last season’s meeting 35-7. When talking about PV, start on the defensive side of the ball. Senior Jacob Reis leads the way in tackles (19), Carson Moore has 4 1/2 sacks, including a three-sack game last week, and seniors Hugo Wayner, Jon Sarmiento, Jacob Bobic and Cole Spanjol are among the team leaders in tackles. Edison had a bye last week. The previous week, the Chargers shut out Leuzinger 17-0. Julius Gillick rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns. PV has been up for all challenges on defense, allowing just 32 points through three games and the tandem of Eric Mulkey and Hobbs Brannan has four rushing touchdowns apiece.

Prediction: Palos Verdes

Leuzinger (2-1) at Loyola (1-1)

Outlook: The Olympians bounced back from their loss to Edison with a 40-19 win over Ayala last week. Damonte Bias rushed for 181 yards and three touchdowns and Journee Tonga scored two TDs. However, it wasn’t all fun for Leuzinger. “That was sloppy football – we’re not going to win many games like that,” Leuzinger coach Alvin Steen said after the game. He added: “We just need to practice better and have attention to detail.” Loyola opened the season with a 35-14 loss to Damien and then defeated Culver City 24-6. Thomas Knyal completed 16 of 28 passes for 232 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Duke Giarraputo had eight receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown. Leuzinger will have to limit its mistakes and get Bias rolling again. In Leuzinger’s loss, the Olympians fell behind Edison and never got on the scoreboard.

Prediction: Loyola

Torrance (1-1) at San Pedro (1-1)

Outlook: San Pedro takes on a second consecutive Pioneer League team this week, hosting Torrance. Last week, the Pirates were a 2-point conversion attempt away from knocking off Lawndale, but it was no good and the game ended 14-13. Torrance, after defeating Narbonne 10-7 in the season opener, had a bye and returned last week, losing to Redondo 24-14. At some point, Torrance’s Jake Silverman is going to impact this game. The teams met last season with San Pedro winning 3-0. Expect at least one touchdown this time. Maybe.

Prediction: Torrance

Calhoun’s record last week: 6-2

Season record: 16-5

Friday’s other games

Lawndale (1-1) vs. Cypress (2-1) at Western High

Damien (3-0) at Mira Costa (0-2)

Gardena (3-0) at L.A. Jordan (2-1), 4 p.m.

Los Angeles (1-2) at Westchester (1-2), 4 p.m.

Carson (3-0) at Paramount (1-2), 7:30 p.m.

Hawthorne (0-3) at Locke (0-3)

Morningside (0-2) at West Adams (0-3), 4 p.m.

Washington (0-2) at Bishop Montgomery (1-2)