Video: Top 5 California Football Games of the Week Camarillo enters Top 25 rankings, entertains motivated Grace Brethren.
There's no crying in baseball or sulking in football.
The Grace Brethren football team coaching staff no doubt let the Lancers know that after their first loss of the season last week, 13-7 to Sierra Canyon. They now travel to No. 25 team in the state, Camarillo, at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Moorpark College in the top contest of the California Top 5 Games of the Week this week.
The Scorpions (9-0) moved into the final spot in our rankings for the first time all season and have outscored opponents 392-87. Camarillo is led by quarterback James McNamara who has thrown for 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions, and running back Jesse Valenzuela, who has rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 23 touchdowns.
There's a huge game in Northern California where 19th-ranked Valley Christian (San Jose) travels to No. 20 Serra (San Mateo), which suffered a big blow during a 35-7 win over winless Sacred Heart Cathedral on Saturday. Standout quarterback Daylin McLemore, the son of former 49ers' cornerback Dana McLemore, broke his left (non-throwing) collarbone during a first-quarter run and is out for the season.
That doesn't bode well for the Padres in this game pitting 8-0 West Catholic Athletic League teams.
Valley Christian senior Isaiah McElvane leads the team in rushing.
File phot by Ernie Abreu
They've played once before, a 41-21 win last season by Grace Brethren. The Lancers played well enough on defense last week, but need to average more than 4.4 yards per carry as it did last week. Besides a 27-26 win over Oxnard on Sept. 13, Camarillo has won every other game by at least 28 points.
7 p.m. Friday
Top Players
Mater
Dei has clearly been the best team in the country this season. The
Monarchs have played one of the toughest schedules and won every game by
double-digits. Young has emerged as the front runner for not only state, but national Player of the
Year honors but still has to get through one of the hardest postseason
brackets in a few weeks. The 2020 Alabama commit has thrown for nearly
3,000 yards and 34 touchdowns while completing 72 percent of his passes.
He also has over 300 yards rushing and nine more scores. The Monarchs
are 11-2 against JSerra Catholic since 2006 with the Lions two wins
coming in 2014 and 2015.
No. 19 Valley Christian (San Jose) at No. 20 Serra (San Mateo)
Though McLemore is out, Lampkin might be a better runner. He just needs more reps. McElvane and Laubach have each rushed for nearly 700 yards and have combined for 11 rushing touchdowns. This is for the WCAL title. The teams have played 17 times since 2003 with Serra winning nine times. Last year, Valley Christian dominated with a 37-6 victory.
7 p.m. Friday
Top Players
Since 2010, the two teams have split 10 games, with Sierra Canyon (8-1) dominating 49-14 in 2018. Sumlin, a junior, has rushed for a team-high nine touchdowns this season. Paraclete (6-3) has won three straight, including 44-13 over Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara) last week.
7 p.m. Friday
Even though Notre Dame is out of the rankings, it is extremely dangerous. They've been in the Top 25 rankings most of the season. Both teams are coming off loses, Notre Dame dropped a tough 35-21 game to Bishop Amat, while Alemany (6-2) lost a 32-25 home game to Serra (Gardena). The series has been super tight since 2004, with Alemany winning seven times, including the last two years, 54-21 and 38-19.
