Daily Breeze’s previews and predictions for Week 9's top football games

Daily Breeze

19 October 2023

Previews and predictions for some of the top high school football games in the Daily Breeze area on Friday, Oct. 20.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

All games start at 7 p.m. unless noted.

Banning (4-4, 1-1) at San Pedro (4-4, 1-2), 7:30 p.m.

Outlook: Raise your hand if you know what’s going to happen in the Marine League this week? No hands are raised. Life in the Marine League is tough. All five teams — Carson, Banning, Gardena, San Pedro and Narbonne — are in the Top 10 of the CalPreps L.A. City ratings. Banning had a wild one last week against Gardena. The Pilots had a 15-point lead, lost it and eventually won 27-26 on Robert Guerrero’s last-second quarterback sneak. San Pedro lost its first two league games, 12-7 against Gardena and 48-7 against Carson. San Pedro won its first league game, defeating Narbonne 35-26. This brings the Pilots and Pirates together for another edition of the Battle of the Harbor. Last year, San Pedro edged Banning 14-7. Several questions facing both teams. Which is the real San Pedro team? What happens to Banning if it gets another double-digit lead?

Prediction: Banning

Culver City (6-2, 3-0) at Palos Verdes (8-0, 3-0), 3 p.m.

Outlook: The Bay League title is on the line as the Centaurs visit the Sea Kings for an afternoon clash. Palos Verdes has allowed just 85 points this season and only seven in the first three league games. After a one-point win over Mira Costa (14-13), Culver City has defeated Redondo (27-14) and Peninsula (43-7). Culver City is the last Bay League team to defeat Palos Verdes, winning 42-28 in the shortened spring season in 2021. The teams also met in 2019 in a nonleague game and Culver City won that meeting as well (55-52). Let’s focus on the Palos Verdes defense. Jacob Reis led the group with 59 tackles, three players (Carson Moore, Dabe Nwude and Jacob Bobic) and Evan Aguirre leads with three interceptions.This is a group that’s been tough to move the ball against and figures to be that way again Friday.

Prediction: Palos Verdes

Serra (6-2, 3-0) at Sierra Canyon (8-0, 3-0)

Outlook: The Cavaliers travel to take on the Trailblazers in a Mission League showdown. Not only will this game decide the league title, but it will also play a role in how many teams are selected for the CIF-SS Division 1 playoff bracket. Sierra Canyon is third in CalPreps’ CIF-SS ratings and Serra is 11th. With a loss, Serra could end up being the No. 1 seed in Division 2. With a win, things would get interesting for the Cavaliers. Sierra Canyon has scored a lot of points (336) and allowed very few points (57) this season. Serra’s Cincere Rhaney has rushed for more than 220 yards in each of the last four games. Quarterback Jimmy Butler has made huge strides in his second season as the team’s starter (14 touchdowns, one interception), and receiver Zacharyus Williams has 557 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. The first challenge for Serra will be slowing down the Sierra Canyon ground attack. In two wins over Serra last season, Sierra Canyon rushed for 236 and 385 yards.

Prediction: Sierra Canyon

Inglewood (6-2, 3-0) at Leuzinger (5-3, 3-0)

Outlook: The Ocean League title is on the line as the Sentinels visit the Olympians. It has been a difficult league schedule for both teams. Leuzinger had two weeks off due to forfeits by its opponents. Inglewood had an extra week off due to a forfeit. Last week, however, both teams played a game, so they at least were able to work on some things. Leuzinger defeated Centennial of Compton 55-13 and Inglewood shut out Hawthorne 49-0. Damonte Bias has rushed for 575 yards and five touchdowns for the Olympians. Samu Moala leads the defense with 39 tackles. Victor Santino (909 yards) is approaching 1,000 yards for Inglewood. He has nine rushing touchdowns. In a big game, keep an eye on who is able to avoid turnovers and penalties. Neither team is where it wants to be due to the forfeits.

Prediction: Leuzinger

Lawndale (4-4, 2-1) at North Torrance (5-3, 3-0)

Outlook: The Saxons are a win away from clinching at least a share of the Pioneer League title. North has recorded wins over El Segundo (35-7), South Torrance (34-0) and Torrance (20-10). Lawndale will be looking to bounce back from last week’s 7-0 loss to South. The Cardinals have been hit with injuries and illness, but as a team that’s dominated the league, they know the opponents aren’t going to care. North freshman quarterback Boogie Anetema has 16 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Prediction: North Torrance

OTHER GAMES FRIDAY

Marine League

Carson (8-0, 2-0) at Gardena (7-1, 1-1)

Western League

Westchester (3-5, 1-2) at Fairfax (5-3, 1-2), 7:30 p.m.

Bay League

Mira Costa (1-7, 1-2) at Peninsula (3-5, 0-3), 3:30 p.m.

Santa Monica (6-2, 1-2) at Redondo (5-3, 1-2)

Camino Real League

Verbum Dei (0-8, 0-4) vs. Bishop Montgomery (4-4, 2-2) at L.A. Southwest College

Ocean League