By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Welcome to a new weekly feature on MaxPreps.com - the California Top 10 Games to Watch. Each week we'll pick 10 games to watch in California, preview them on Friday and let you know what happened over the weekend. A word of caution, these games are not necessarily the biggest games in the state featuring the top-ranked teams. While the contests will most likely feature many of the state's best teams, we'll also try to find games of interest throughout the state, from Del Norte High School in Crescent City in the upper reaches of the state to Calexico along the Mexican border. We'll also try to feature traditional rivalries that may not include winning teams, but do include teams that are playing for regional bragging rights, be it in their community, city or county.
Here's a look at this week's inaugural Top 10 Games to Watch.
1. St. Margaret's (San Juan Capistrano) 0-0, at Mammoth (Mammoth Lakes) 0-0:
This contest isn't necessarily expected to be a nailbiter. Mammoth is coming off a 4-7 season while the Tartans have won 14 straight games (25-1 over the past two seasons) and a Southern Section championship. The intriguing aspect of this game is the coaching debut of St. Margaret's Harry Welch, who left Canyon (Canyon Country) last year after leading the Cowboys to a win in the inaugural CIF Division 1 bowl game over De La Salle (Concord).
2. San Lorenzo Valley (Felton) 0-0, at Valley Christian (San Jose) 0-0:
The Warriors are two years removed from a Central Coast Section championship, but they are just one year removed from a disappointing 3-7 finish and a last-place spot in the West Catholic League. Valley Christian defeated San Lorenzo Valley in the opener last year and then won just two games the rest of the way. Valley Christian needs a good opening-season win to set the tone for a return to the top of the CCS.
3. Grant (Sacramento) 0-0, at Bakersfield 1-0:
The Pacers get a head start on the rest of the Sac Joaquin Section with a road trip to Kern County. Grant defeated the Drillers in its opener last year, en route to a 13-0 season and a Sac-Joaquin Section championship. Grant features one of the top running back prospects in the state in Marselius Williams. Bakersfield already has a win in the books after defeating West 35-0 last week. Quarterback Peter Mitchell completed 10 of 11 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
4. Serra (San Mateo) 0-0, at Buchanan (Clovis) 0-0:
The Padres defeated the Bears 35-14 last year en route to a 9-3 season. Pat Walsh's squad will try to avoid looking ahead to next week's game, a matchup against De La Salle that pits the top team from the East Bay against the top team from the South Bay.
5. Mission Hills (San Marcos) 0-0 at El Camino (Oceanside) 0-0:
The Grizzlies edged the Wildcats 10-7 in last year's contest. Mission Hills finished the year 9-3, losing to Helix in the playoffs, while El Camino finished 8-4. Both teams are expected to be among the best in San Diego this year. Mission Hills features a powerful defensive front, led by Jamaar Jarrett and junior Eddie Nuckols. The Wildcats counter with wide receiver Rosario Nelson, one of the top pass catchers in the state.
6. St. Augustine (San Diego) 0-0, vs. Carlsbad 0-0 at Mesa College:
The Lancers didn't lose a game last year, finishing 10-0-2 and just missing a spot in the CIF Division 1 Bowl Game. The Saints have won seven straight games, including a San Diego Section championship. St. Augustine must find a replacement for 2,300-yard passer Chris Forcier while Carlsbad returns two fine skill players in QB Justin Morales and RB Nick Pascarella.
7. Live Oak 0-0 at Sutter 0-0:
Both teams are favored to win a section title this year. The Lions are a senior-dominated squad that posted a 9-3 record last year, including a 20-0 victory over Sutter in the season opener. The shutout loss was one of the few shutouts Husky coach Scott Turner has experienced over the past 15 years. The Huskies have a rock-solid junior group that never lost a game in two years at the JV level.
8. Birmingham (Lake Balboa) 0-0 at Crespi (Encino) 0-0:
The Patriots are expected to be the top team in the Los Angeles City Section this year, thanks to the return of All-American candidate Milton Knox and a host of outstanding defensive players like defensive end Malik Jackson. But the Patriots, who won the LA City Section last year, lost to Crespi 24-16 in their season opener last year. The Celts finished 6-5 last year, losing in the first round of the playoffs.
9. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) 0-0 vs. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 0-0 at Saddleback College:
The Seraphs are ranked by Cal-Hi Sports as the No. 1 team in the state. They'll get a good first test from Santa Margarita in their season opener. Last year, the Eagles went 10-3 with wins over Long Beach Poly, Dorsey, Mater Dei and Mission Viejo. The game will also feature the debut of All-American running back Darrell Scott, who transferred from Moorpark to St. Bonaventure for his senior season.
10. Dominguez (Compton) 0-0 at Centennial (Corona) 0-0:
The Dons feature two of the best linebacking prospects in the state in Maurice and Marquis Simmons. They'll be asked to slow down Husky senior running back Ryan Bass, who ran for 2,351 yards and 36 touchdowns last year.