By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Oaks Christian and Big Bear look to get back into the win column after suffering streak-breaking losses last week. Meanwhile Los Alamitos and Orange Lutheran hook up in a battle of unbeatens in Orange County. Can the Crespi Celts pull off another upset against the St. Bonaventure Celts? Check it out in this week's Top 10 Games to Watch.
Serra at St. Francis
The Padres (3-1) have bounced back nicely since losing to De La Salle three weeks ago. Serra routed Gilroy last week 52-31. Tiuke Tuipulotu has been the gamebreaker for Serra, gaining 390 yards on just 37 carries. Meanwhile quarterback Cody Jackson adds 329 yards and six touchdowns and last year's leading ballcarrier, Deleon Eskridge, adds 285 yards on 51 carries. Eskridge had his first 100-yard game last week in the win over Gilroy, gaining 110 yards on 15 carries. He ran for 1,461 yards last year for the Padres. The Lancers (2-1-1) opened with a great 31-15 win over Oak Grove, but tied Los Gatos two weeks ago and lost to St. Mary's of Stockton 20-13 last week. The game is the West Catholic Athletic League opener for both schools.
Bullard at Central
It would be safe to say that the Bullard Knights (4-0) are the surprise team of the Central Section season, if not the surprise team in the state. Bullard has already knocked off Clovis East and Clovis West, the two perennial powerhouses in the Central Section. This week, the Knights get a good test against another unbeaten foe in the 4-0 Central Grizzlies. Central was 7-5 last year, but just 1-4 in league play. The Grizzlies are only two years removed from a 3-8 season while Bullard was just 2-8 last year. Central likes to spread the wealth on offense with six different ballcarriers all gaining at least 100 yards this year with Brian Easter the leader with 279 yards on 40 carries. Bullard has one of the leading ballcarriers in the Central Section in Clifton Rogers with 649 yards on 74 carries and 10 touchdowns.
Birmingham at Dorsey
The Patriots have reeled off three straight wins since a season-opening loss to Crespi, but none was more impressive than the 28-21 victory over nationally-ranked Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks on national television. Milton Knox ran for 193 yards on 29 carries and he has 596 yards on the season. He recently passed the 5,000-yard career milestone and is one his way to becoming the Los Angeles City Section's all-time leading rusher, according to Cal-Hi Sports. The Dons (2-1) are coming off a 12-7 win over Santa Margarita and are led by one of the top wide receiver prospects in the state in Rahim Moore. Dorsey doesn't throw the ball much, however, as Moore has just 128 yards receiving on four catches. Jonathan Franklin leads the offense with 548 yards rushing on 66 carries.
Novato at Marin Catholic
The Hornets are buzzing near the top of the MaxPreps North Coast Section rankings, trailing only No. 1 De La Salle. The defending Class AA champions posted their first shutout of the season last week with a 59-0 win over Tamalpais after shutting out nine opponents last year. Novato meets league rival Marin Catholic in a game that could go a long way in deciding the Marin County League championship. The Wildcats (1-2) have just one win on the season, but it was an impressive 41-21 drubbing of Justin-Siena last week.
Amador Valley at San Ramon Valley
The Dons rank third in the North Coast Section after opening the season with three wins by healthy margins, including a 61-12 win over Bear Creek last week. They face the No. 5 team, San Ramon Valley of Danville, in the East Bay League opener for both schools. The Wolves opened the season with two straight wins, but tied Washington of Fremont 35-35 last week.
St. Bonaventure at Crespi
Crespi has already knocked off one highly-regarded team this year, handing Birmingham a season-opening loss four weeks ago. If the Celts plan another upset, they'll have to stop St. Bonaventure's Darrell Scott. The senior all-american gets better every week, scoring five touchdowns last week in the 41-33 win over Oaks Christian. He had 234 yards last week, marking the third time he has gone over 200 yards this year and the 16th time he has done it in his career.
Bakersfield Christian at Sage Hill
The Bakersfield Christian Eagles (4-0) travel to Southern California for a nonleague outing against Sage Hill of Newport Beach (4-0) in a battle that promises to have plenty of offense. The Eagles are averaging just under 40 points a game behind converted wide receiver Jake Peterson, who has thrown for 796 yards and rushed for an additional 178 yards and three touchdowns. The Eagles also have Christian Taylor, who has 527 yards rushing on the season. The Lightning are averaging just over 40 points a game behind the state's leading passer, Jamie McGee. The Sage Hill signal caller has thrown for 1,247 yards in four games with 17 touchdowns and no interceptions.
San Jacinto at Big Bear
Just two weeks ago, this game figured to be a huge showdown between the No. 1 team in the Southern Section East Valley Division rankings, Big Bear, and the No. 3 team, San Jacinto. It's still No. 1 vs. No. 3, but the two teams have switched places following Big Bear's loss to Citrus Hill last week. The loss was the first in 16 games for the Bears, who went 14-0 last year and won their first two games this season. San Jacinto is off to a 3-0 start and took over the No. 1 spot after both Big Bear and No. 2 Notre Dame of Riverside lost. Citrus Hill, which beat Big Bear, is now No. 2.
Venice at Oaks Christian
Oaks Christian will try to get back on track after dropping its first game in over four years in last week's 41-33 loss to St. Bonaventure. The Lions trailed by a large margin against the Seraphs, but rallied late on the arm of Christopher Potter, who completed 20 of 25 passes for 306 yards. Christopher Owusu caught 10 passes for 210 yards in the loss. Venice is 3-0 on the season and is considered the biggest threat to beating Birmingham for the Los Angeles City championship. Richard Ragland leads the Gondoliers offense with 561 yards passing on the season. Running back Curtis McNeal has run for 481 yards.
Los Alamitos at Lutheran
The defending CIF Division 2 Bowl champion Orange Lutheran Lancers get their first big test of the season in tonight's game against Los Alamitos at Cal State Fullerton. The Lancers are 4-0 and have barely been tested. Blake Hyepock has thrown for 837 yards while four different runners have rushed for at least 150 yards. All-american tight end candidate Blake Ayles is the top receiver with 16 catches for 270 yards. Los Alamitos (3-0) has also had an easy time and is coming off a 42-20 win over Long Beach Wilson.