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A preview of the Daily News’ top high school football games this weekend, April 9-10.
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 2 Alemany (3-0) at No. 4 Chaminade (2-2), Saturday, 7 p.m.
There’s nothing like a top 5 Mission League matchup on a Saturday night. Alemany will travel to West Hills to take on surging Chaminade, winners of two straight, and reigning Daily News boys Athlete of the Week Jaylen Henderson in a game that will be televised on Bally Sports Networks, a rebrand of the Fox Sports Regional Networks.
Chaminade quarterback Jaylen Henderson has thrown for 805 yards and six touchdowns in three games with just one interception. Henderson has a multitude of weapons, including Paul Holyfield Jr., Noah Elliott and Tyler Garcia – all with over 175 yards rushing this season. Wideouts Ian Duarte and Josh Mailander lead the Eagles in receiving yards at 303 and 243, respectively, this season.
As great as Chaminade sounds its past two games, if Alemany doesn’t show complacency, it can win in a boat race. The Warriors simply have too many weapons with Dylan Gebbia (QB), Floyd Chalk (RB), Kevin Green (WR), and brothers JD Sumlin (RB) and freshman Jaylen’dai Sumlin (WR) – and that’s just on offense.
Defensively, defensive back RJ Jones is emerging as one of the state’s best at his position for the 2023 class. Niuafe Tuihalamaka (LB), Ephesians Prysock (CB) and Damonic Williams (DT) are highly-touted juniors.
If Alemany and Serra Gardena both win this weekend, it will set up a winner-takes-all Mission League championship next weekend. Serra travels to Bishop Amat Friday night.
Pick: Alemany
FRIDAY
No. 10 Harvard-Westlake (4-0) vs. La Salle (2-1) at the Rose Bowl, 7:30 p.m.
The Wolverines will get two treats Friday night: playing in the Rose Bowl, and a chance to put themselves in the driver’s seat for a Del Rey League title. If Harvard-Westlake wins Friday night, it will control its own destiny with winless Mary Star of the Sea left on its schedule.
A big opportunity for new coach Aaron Huerta Friday night.
Pick: Harvard-Westlake
Taft at Chatsworth, 7 p.m.
City Section football is back, baby! Taft and Chatsworth will play in a West Valley League opener that will see two first-time head coaches in their debuts Friday night. Chatsworth coach Marvin Street takes over after being a JV coach for three seasons. Aron Gideon of Taft coached locally for decades at programs like Notre Dame and Chaminade, but is now rebuilding a Toreador program that hasn’t won a football game since October 2017, which ironically was a 35-0 win over Chatsworth.
Pick: Toss up, Chatsworth
SATURDAY
No. 3 Oaks Christian (3-1) at No. 8 Calabasas (2-1), 7 p.m.
A Saturday night Marmonte League showdown that will put the winner in first place heading into the final week of the season. The last two years, this game was loaded with talent on both side, but the game lost some luster after Oaks Christian showed it’s mortality in a 42-0 loss to Sierra Canyon two weeks ago, and Calabasas establishing a new identity with new coach Cary Harris.
Calabasas quarterback Tyler Ward is vying for a college opportunity. He should look at this matchup as the closest thing to a college defensive front he’ll see this abbreviated season, which will provide a good barometer (and hopefully film) for the senior.
Pick: Oaks Christian
No. 5 Crespi (3-0) at St. Francis (2-2), 7 p.m.
An Angelus League title is on the line, and the Celts lost both quarterbacks last week due to injury. Now, they’ll rely on a mix of players at quarterback. Johnny Schaefer, who’s listed as a wide receiver on the roster, played quarterback to finish last week’s 22-15 win over St. Paul. The only other quarterback listed on the roster is freshman Tyler Pickett, will he get snaps under center?
Look for Crespi to rely heavily on playmakers Khallid Calhoun and Holden Gering.
Pick: Crespi. I picked against the Celts when they topped Westlake 42-28 earlier this season. I’ve learned my lesson. Coach Dameon Porter finds a way.
Other notable Friday night games: Agoura (3-1) at No. 9 Simi Valley (2-1); Highland (3-0) at Knight High (3-0); Granada Hills Charter at Cleveland; Banning at Kennedy High; Reseda at Crenshaw High
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