By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
A pair of showdowns in the San Francisco and Los Angeles City Sections, as well as a battle between two unbeaten teams, Redlands East Valley and Miller, highlight this week's Top 10 Games to Watch.
Selma vs. Kingsburg
The winner of this game claims at least a share of the Central Sequioa League title and could win it all if Dinuba loses to Immanuel. Selma, Kingsburg and Dinuba are all tied at 3-1, but Kingsburg has the top record of the three with an 8-1 mark. The Vikings will have to figure out how to stop Selma's Adrian Pacheco, who has run roughshod over the rest of the league. The junior running back is averaging 228 yards a game, but he's averaging close to 280 yards in league play including a 376-yard effort in a 56-34 win over Dinuba. The Vikings counter with quarterback Tyler Bray, who has thrown for 1,558 yards on the season, including a high of 283 yards in a 35-22 win over Coalinga.
Fowler vs. Caruthers
Caruthers has two losses on the season, but can still claim a Southwest Sierra League championship with a win over Fowler. That will be easier said than done considering Fowler is averaging nearly 42 points a game while racking up a 9-0 record. Caruthers has a balanced attack, led by running back Sergio Roman with 137 yards per game and quarterback Mark Jones, who throws for 118 yards a game. The Redcats are led by quarterback Josh Poytress, one of the top athletes in the Central Section. Last year, Poytress was the Fresno County baseball player of the year after leading Fowler to a section championship.
Banning vs. San Pedro
The No. 5 and 6 teams in the Los Angeles City Section meet when Banning takes on San Pedro in Marine League play. San Pedro was unbeaten until league play began and then lost two. Banning has lost just once, to Narbonne, and could face Carson for the league championship next week if it can get past San Pedro. Josh Limosnero has been a force running the ball for the Pilots, averaging 168 yards a game.
Amador Valley vs. California
California brings a No. 4 North Coast Section ranking into this matchup against No. 7 Amador Valley in an East Bay Athletic League matchup. Nick Spalliero guides California against the rival Dons. He is averaging 170 yards of total offense and gets help from running back Leroy Green, who runs for 84 yards an outing. Meanwhile Amador Valley is coming off an upset win over Monte Vista, which it defeated 28-6 last week.
Roseville vs. Rocklin
With only two teams from the Sierra Foothill League advancing to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, every league game is crucial for both Rocklin (7-1) and Roseville (6-2), who each lost to Del Oro in conference play. The Thunder are tied for second with Granite Bay while Roseville is third at 1-2. Jason Lessard is the leading rusher for Rocklin, averaging 111 yards per game while quarterback Kevin O'Brien is averaging 100 yards passing. Michael Elliott has been a dual threat for Roseville, averaging 65 yards rushing and 75 yards passing each game.
Saugus vs. Canyon
The Centurions are on a roll after racking up 70 points in last week's win over Golden Valley. Saugus can challenge for a Foothill League title, but will have to get past Hart and this week's opponent Canyon. The defending Division 1 Bowl champions are 4-4 on the season, but are capable of pulling off the win behind the play of quarterback Sean Galvin, who is averaging 197 yards passing. For Saugus, Ryan Zirbel is coming off a 387-yard performance last week. He is averaging 206 yards a game.
Long Beach Poly vs. Compton
The Moore League championship is on the line when the Parrots and the Tarbabes tangle. Poly has lost just once on the season, falling to Birmingham early in the season. Compton, meanwhile, is unbeaten at 8-0 and is averaging 46 points a game. Compton's Donald Green is one of the top rushers in the state, averaging 209 yards a game. Meanwhile the Parrots are led by running back Melvin Richardson, who is averaging 108 yards and outing.
Mater Dei vs. Lutheran
This game could tell a lot about which team will receive the Southern California berth for the CIF Division 2 Bowl Game. Lutheran is the incumbent after winning the title last season, but Mater Dei is the favorite after racking up a No. 1 ranking in the state. Both teams were idle last week after the Trinity League cancelled games due to the fires in Southern California. Lutheran is also coming off a loss, losing to Servite in its previous game for its first loss of the season. The Monarchs have one of the top quarterbacks in the country in Matt Barkley, who is averaging 343 yards of offense per game. Meanwhile Lutheran quarterback Blake Hyepock has been solid, averaging 181 yards an outing.
Redlands East Valley vs. Miller
REV faces its toughest test of the season since defeating JW North in the season opener 21-20. Ranked among the top 25 teams in the country by MaxPreps, Redlands East Valley has one of the state's best carrying the ball in Christopher Polk. The senior is averaging 183 yards a game rushing. Miller (8-0) also has a standout it relies in heavily in quarterback A.J. Springer. One of the top dual-threat signal callers in the state, Miller averages 156 yards rushing and 163 yards passing each game.
Lowell vs. Lincoln
The top two teams in the San Francisco collide in a game that could determine the Academic Athletic Association championship. Lowell is undefeated on the season, but has played just six games. Lincoln is 5-3 and has the returning player of the year in San Francisco in David Henderson. The season is the top rusher in the section with 181 yards per game.