Braden Surprenant and Chris Smith (Top Dawg) are back at it for another week of the High School Football Podcast. This week, they dive into a variety of topics such as scheduling, some problems with former top programs, issues that the San Diego Section is facing and the idea of high schools combining teams moving forward. They give some big time performance shout outs and make game picks for week 3.
Union Tribune's Top 10
1. Madison (3-0) (16)
2. Carlsbad (1-1) (6)
3. Helix (3-0) (2)
4. Cathedral Catholic (1-2) (6)
5. Lincoln (2-1)
6. Poway (3-0)
7. Mission Hills (2-1)
8. Mater Dei Catholic (0-3)
9. Ramona (2-1)
10. Mira Mesa (2-1)
RV: Torrey Pines (1-2, 18 points), Del Norte (3-0, 12 points), El Camino (2-1, 10 points), Rancho Buena Vista (3-0, 8 points), Granite Hills (2-1, 4 points), San Marcos (2-1, 4 points), Central Union (2-1, 3 points), Kearny (3-0, 2 points), University City (2-1, 2 points).
Calpreps.com Top 10 (power rating)
1. Cathedral Catholic (43.5)
2. Carlsbad (41.3)
3. Madison (36.9)
4. Helix (35.6)
5. Lincoln (33.5)
6. Mater Dei (32.6)
7. Poway (26.4)
8. Mission Hills (22.3)
9. Ramona (20.5)
10. Torrey Pines (18.4)
Below is a tweet thread that lays out what the playoffs will look like based on the CIF rating system that is used to seed the playoffs, as well as using calpreps.com's prediction system to determine the outcome of each team's season. This will update weekly.
Games of the Week
Game of the Week:
#1 Cathedral Catholic Dons (1-2) at #4 Helix Highlanders (3-0) 7pm
Cathedral Catholic and Helix has been a great new rivalry in San Diego since the current series started in 2009. 2009 is significant because it is the last and only time that the Dons have been able to beat Helix in La Mesa. Including the playoffs, these teams have played each other 15 times since 2009 and Cathedral holds a slight edge going (8-7) coming off a 52-0 win last year. This game will determine and discover a lot about San Diego high school football in 2022. The Dons are limping into the game after back to back losses in which they were outscored a combined 105-14 against two top teams in the country in Centennial (Corona, CA) & Chandler (AZ). Helix is trying to get back to form after a down season last year, where they still won the D1 Championship game, just to point out the success the Scotties have had. Ryland Jesse for the Highlanders has emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the county, and with the new passing attack under first year head coach Damaja Jones it should be a great game in East County on Friday.
Calpreps.com Prediction: Helix 28 Cathedral Catholic 21
North County Game of the Week:
#2 Carlsbad Lancers (1-1) at #21 El Camino Wildcats (2-1) 7:15pm
Carlsbad took a tough loss at home last week against Inglewood (CA), who is one of the better teams in the Southern Section. San Diego's only 5-Star QB in Julian Sayin should have a big game for the Lancers as they try to get their 20th straight Avocado League win, as they have not lost to a league opponent since 2018. El Camino is big up front both offensively and defensively, which might pose a challenge for Carlsbad, but expect the skill positions for the Lancers to be the difference maker in this one.
Calpreps.com Prediction: Carlsbad 44 El Camino 14
City Game of the Week:
#9 Ramona Bulldogs (2-1) at #3 Madison Warhawks (3-0) 7pm
Madison has put together a great start to their season outscoring their three opponents by a combined score of 117-14. The passing combination of QB Reggie Johnson and WR Jake Jackson might be the best in San Diego County. After a couple seasons playing a lot of youth, HC Rick Jackson's crew is now experienced and showing their dominance this season as they try and upset the apple cart in the Western League. Ramona had a tough loss last week at Poway and will now have to play another game against a top 10 opponent in Madison. Ramona is physical in the trenches but will have to try and stop Johnson to Jackson if they want to win on Friday night.
Calpreps.com Prediction: #3 Madison 28 #9 Ramona 12
East County Game of the Week:
#24 Rancho Buena Vista Longhorns (3-0) at El Capitan Vaqueros (2-1) 7pm
The running game for RBV is not only one of the best in the county statistically, but also one of the top in the country. The Longhorns are averaging 305.7 rushing yards a game this season which is lead by their RB Angelino Anthony Trapasso. Trapasso already has 783 yds on 66 carries with 12 touchdowns on the season. El Capitan will have their hands full trying to stop the ground and pund attack of the Longhorns, who are trying to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 1993. El Capitan did prevent RBV from accomplishing that feet last season with a 21-12 victory.
Calpreps.com prediction: #24 RBV 34 El Capitan 7
South Bay Game of the Week:
#13 Granite Hills Eagles (2-1) at #23 Eastlake Titans (0-3) 7pm
This will be a really telling game for each team on what the outlook of their 2022 season will be. Granite Hills had a 10-0 lead on Poway before the Titans rattled off 21 unanswered points securing an ultimately 31-19 victory. The Eagles bounced back with wins over Valhalla and Oceanside, which are two teams they were expected to beat on paper. This week against Eastlake will be a tester since the Titans have also played Poway this season, but also two solid Southern Section teams in Apple Valley and La Habra. Eastlake's only in Section game against #7 Poway was the closest game that Poway has played all year. Despite Eastlake being 0-3 expect their experience playing top tier programs to be a big factor in the South Bay Game of the Week.
Calpreps.com prediction: Granite Hills 21 Eastlake 20
Other Notable Games w/calpreps.com prediction:
Thursday September 8th:
Mission Bay Buccaneers (3-0) -25 at Sweetwater Red Devils (2-1) 6:30pm
Fallbrook Warriors (2-1) -38 at Santana Sultans (3-0) 7pm
Montgomery Aztecs (2-1) -9 at El Cajon Valley Braves (1-2) 7pm
Friday September 9th:
Rancho Bernardo Broncos (0-3) -17 at Grossmont Foothillers (0-3) 7pm
#20 Scripps Ranch Falcons (1-2) at #22 Mt. Carmel Sundevils (2-1) -5 7pm
#15 Central Spartans (2-1) -21 at Otay Ranch Mustangs (0-3) 7pm
#8 Mission Hills Grizzlies (2-1) -14 at #17 La Costa Canyon Mavericks (1-2) -4 7pm
Point Loma Pointers (2-1) -11 at West Hills Wolfpack (2-1) 7:15pm
#12 Del Norte Nighthawks (3-0) -28 at #19 La Jolla Vikings (2-1) -3 7pm
St. Augustine Saints (1-1) at Steele Canyon Cougars (1-2) -6 7pm
Saturday September 10th:
#6 Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders (0-3) at #5 Lincoln Hornets (2-1) -9 7pm
#10 Torrey Pines Falcons (1-2) at #7 Poway Titans (3-0) -2 7pm
Imperial Tigers (2-0) -12 at Valley Center Jaguars (1-2) 7pm
Intersection Games w/calpreps.com prediction: