John Maffei’s San Diego Section football picks – The San Diego Union-Tribune
Christian vs. Santa Fe Christian at Clairemont HS
When: 7 p.m. today
Preview: Christian (3-0) has outscored its opponents 111-44 behind QB Jake Davila, who has thrown for 358 yards, rushed for 171 and accounted for 9 TDs. Joey Merritt is his favorite target with 14 catches for 191 yards while Hunter Provience has 9 catches for 169 yards. LB Aaron Sheblowski has 18 tackles and Merritt has 2 interceptions. Santa Fe Christian (3-0) has outscored its opponents 122-41 behind QB Thomas Greupner, who has 359 yards passing, 146 rushing and has accounted for 5 TDs. Cooper Whitton averages 9.7 yards on 26 rushes and has 3 receptions for 98 yards. Luca Torti has 226 rushing yards on 30 carries and Zachary Marshall has 12 catches for 231 yards. LB Dante Rotchford has 25 tackles and 2 sacks.
Prediction: Santa Fe Christian 28, Christian 27
San Ysidro at Hoover
When: 7 p.m. today
Preview: San Ysidro (1-1) averages 325.4 yards on offense behind QB Ja’Marcus Jiles and RB McKai Jackson. Hoover (1-1) is averaging 370 yards on offense behind QB Kenny Spence.
Prediction: San Ysidro 21, Hoover 20
El Camino at No. 1 Carlsbad
When: 7 p.m. today
Preview: This is the Avocado League opener for both teams. El Camino (1-1) is coming off a bye week after an opening-week win over St. Augustine and road loss at Grossmont. Carlsbad (3-0) has outscored three out-of-town opponents 113-24. Sophomore QB Julian Sayin is the trigger man on offense with 673 passing yards. Josh Davis averages 22.4 yards on 11 receptions. RB Paulo Burak has 221 rushing yards and 174 receiving. Thomas Weirich had 9 rushes for 101 yards and 11 tackles.
Prediction: Carlsbad 31, El Camino 21
Mt. Carmel at Valhalla
When: 7 p.m. today
Preview: Mt. Carmel (3-0) has outscored its opponents 88-38 and is coming off a 28-0 win over Valley Center. QB Cayden Gent has 613 yards passing and 104 rushing. WR Luke Sevier has 18 catches while TE-DE Jayden Virgin has 13 catches, 19 tackles and 6 ½ sacks. Valhalla (1-2) beat Hilltop in its opener, but has lost to San Pasqual (48-6) and Granite Hills (62-0) the last 2 weeks.
Prediction: Mt. Carmel 31, Valhalla 14
No. 9 Poway at No. 7 Torrey Pines
When: 7 p.m. today
Preview: Poway has bounced back from an opening-week loss to Granite Hills with wins over Eastlake and Ramona. Conner Rath, who has 43 carries for 302 yards, and Luke Gonzalez, who has 26 carries for 141 yards, lead a pounding ground game. Torrey Pines (1-1) bounced back from an opening-week loss to Cathedral Catholic to beat Rancho Bernardo. The Falcons average 222.3 yards on the ground behind Easton Clements, Dylan Friedland and Alex Taylor.
Prediction: Torrey Pines 24, Poway 21
Canyon Hills at Chula Vista
When: 6:30 p.m. today
Preview: Canyon Hills (0-2) has been outscored 75-18. Chula Vista (0-1) had its first two games canceled because of COVID-19, then lost to Hilltop 24-0 last week.
Prediction: Canyon Hills 17, Chula Vista 14
No. 5 Helix at No. 2 Cathedral Catholic
When: 7 p.m. today
Preview: Helix (2-0) started with wins over Mira Mesa (28-20) and Otay Ranch (29-14) before a COVID outbreak at Mater Dei Catholic forced a cancellation of last week’s game. Sophomore QB Ryland Jessee is maturing into a top-flight player while RB Christian Washington and WR Xavier Van are explosive players. Cathedral Catholic (2-1) bounced back from a 57-14 loss to Corona Centennial – ranked No. 17 in the nation by USA Today – to beat West Hills Chaminade 50-17. QB Charlie Mirer and RB Lucky Sutton lead a productive offense while DE Jaxon Moi is a force on defense.
Prediction: Cathedral Catholic 31, Helix 27
West Hills at Escondido
When: 7 p.m. today
Preview: Off to a great start, West Hills (3-0) has outscored its opponents 117-19. QB Braden Oberg, who has 526 yards total offense, has hooked up with WR Max Conaway 15 times for 293 yards and 5 scores. Escondido (2-1) lost its opener 54-7 to Del Norte, but has taken down Canyon Hills (29-6) and Westview (27-20) the last 2 weeks.
Prediction: West Hills 27, Escondido 24
Grossmont at Rancho Bernardo
When: 7 p.m. today
Preview: After beating Sweetwater and El Camino, Grossmont (2-1) fell to Downey Warren (40-7) last week. QB Trenton Giles likes to throw to Ryan Rodieck and Giovanni Burns. Rancho Bernardo (1-2) has lost 2 in a row after an opening-week win over San Marcos. QB Mark Sladack and RB Frankie Franchina lead the offense.
Prediction: Grossmont 31, Rancho Bernardo 27
University City vs. Bishop’s at La Jolla HS
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Preview: High-scoring University City (3-0) has outscored its opponents 178-57. QB Samuel Cooper has 917 yards total offense and is completing 86.8 percent of his passes. RBs Ladainian Lawrence and Samuel Harris are threats while Cayden Dawson, Troy Bassler and Troy Granfors are Cooper’s targets. Bishop’s (2-1) lost to La Jolla in its opener, but has wins over Maranatha Christian and Temecula Rancho Christian the last 2 weeks.
Prediction: University City 38, Bishop’s 20
Last week: 6-4
Season: 20-8
