Daily News’ top Week 0 football games to watch – Daily News

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High school football is here again.

Here are previews and predictions to Week 0’s best games

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 4 Oaks Christian at No. 5 Chaminade, 7 p.m.

Oaks Christian team preview | Chaminade team preview

GAME PREVIEW: Chaminade hosts Oaks Christian in Daily News top 5 clash

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WEEK 0’s TOP GAMES

(All games schedule for 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise)

No. 9 Notre Dame at Crespi

This is an all-time rivalry game in the San Fernando Valley … well, it used to be. There was a time when Crespi was in the Mission League, which made the yearly matchup with Notre Dame enticing for the community, players and alumni.

Friday’s game won’t have the same luster as it once did, but the result will be telling for both programs. Notre Dame is coming off a two-win season and looking for improvement behind standout sophomore quarterback Wyatt Becker and returning running back Brennan Dragomer. Crespi is also coming off a rough 2021 campaign, only winning two games itself. The Celts return wideout Holden Gering, who will look to receive passes from Tristan Fauria, a junior quarterback with a familiar last name.

Tristan is the son of Crespi alumnus Quinn Fauria and nephew of Lance and Christian Fauria, and related to recent standout Joe Fauria. Fauria’s name being blared from the field speakers alone will add nostalgia to this great rivalry.

Notre Dame beat Crespi 41-7 the last time the two programs played. That was in 2018.

Prediction: Notre Dame. Too much size and talent.

No. 3 St. Francis at No. 7 West Ranch

This is a great opener for both teams, and this matchup will serve as a litmus test for two programs expected to content for their respective league titles.

St. Francis will unleash new transfer running back Devyn Turner and senior Jack Jacobs will have a new receiving corps at his disposal.

West Ranch will be led by Colorado-commit Ryan Staub at quarterback, and there’s nothing more dangerous in high school than an arm that can put it wherever he wants. St. Francis has an inexperienced defense that might struggle to slow Staub down.

Prediction: St. Francis. Expect a lot of points, but the Golden Knights will score more.

No. 1 Sierra Canyon at JSerra

Sierra Canyon will start its journey toward the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs with a bout against a Trinity League opponent on the road. Sophomore quarterback Alonzo Esparza started the Trailblazers’ scrimmage against Orange Lutheran last week, so expectations for Esparza to start are high Friday night – but coach Jon Ellinghouse has yet to name an official starter.

It’s possible junior Damon Wrighster will get reps at quarterback, too.

Sierra Canyon beat JSerra twice last year, including a playoff victory.

Prediction: Sierra Canyon. The Trailblazers beat the Lions for a third time in two seasons.

Lone Peak (Utah) at No. 6 Alemany

There are so many question marks heading into Alemany’s home opener. The Warriors have a new quarterback in CJ Ceron, new running backs in Jeremiah Claiborne and Paden White, and unproven wideouts. The most veteran group is the offensive line, which could be a great foundation to have a successful season. Will all the new faces gel quickly? Maybe, it doesn’t matter, as long as it gels before Mission League play starts.

Prediction: Lone Peak. Alemany is still figuring it out.

Royal at Birmingham Charter

Birmingham Charter, the two-time defending Open Division City champ, will begin its title defense at home against Royal High. Friday night’s opener will be the true coming out party for junior wideout Peyton Waters and quarterback Kingston Tisdale. Waters and Tisdell will be the figure heads for a new era at Birmingham after the graduation of 2021 Daily News Player of the Year, Arlis Boardingham, who’s now at Florida.

Royal is under new leadership with first-year head coach Michael Puopolo. While the Highlanders are establishing a new identity, Birmingham’s City title goals are already in mind.

Prediction: Birmingham. Coach Jim Rose will have the Patriots ready.

Santa Monica at Calabasas

Calabasas might be thin in numbers, but its big-play potential is vast. USC-bound wideout Aaron Butler and running back King Miller are capable of huge plays. But the x-factor for Coyotes will be the debut for transfer quarterback Alonzo Contreras. Contreras – who came from Sierra Canyon – is expected to take Calabasas to the next level offensively. Coach Cary Harris was very candid about the team’s inability to throw last season, which made the Coyotes one dimensional – essentially handing the ball off to Miller a majority of the time.

The home opener doesn’t scream heavy weight matchup with Santa Monica coming to town, but that’s okay. Calabasas needs to establish versatility if it wants to compete in the new, competitive Marmonte League later this fall.

Prediction: Calabasas. Welcome to the Aaron Butler show.