On this week of the High School Football Podcast, Braden Surprenant is joined by Chris Smith (Top Dawg) as they break down the big games from Week 1. Braden and Chris talk about the final play of Carlsbad vs Mater Dei as well as discussions on Mira Mesa v. San Marcos, Helix vs Otay, Poway v Eastlake, & Madison v Steele Canyon. Later on, John Maffei from the San Diego Union Tribune joins the show and talks about Week 1, Top 10, and California vs Texas football. Braden and Chris answer your questions on air including St. Augustine's tough decision and what high school athletes should be doing to be recruited. Finally, they break down the top matchups of week 2 including a huge game between Ramona and Poway.
San Diego Union Tribune Top 10
1. Carlsbad (1-0) (17)
2. Cathedral Catholic (1-1) (11)
3. Madison (2-0) (1)
4. Helix (2-0) (1)
5. Lincoln (1-1)
6. Mission Hills (2-0)
7. Mater Dei Catholic (2-0)
8. Poway (2-0)
9. Ramona (2-0)
10. El Camino (2-0)
Calpreps.com Top 10 (power rating)
1. Cathedral Catholic (60.6)
2. Carlsbad (45.2)
3. Mater Dei Catholic (45.0)
4. Madison (33.9)
5. Helix (31.8)
6. Mission Hills (30.2)
7. Lincoln (29.9)
8. Ramona (22.4)
9. Poway (21.1)
10. Torrey Pines (16.0)
Games of the week this week
Game of the Week: #8 Ramona Bulldogs (2-0) at #9 Poway Titans (2-0) 7pm
Head Coach Damon Baldwin will take his Bulldogs down the mountain to take on the senior heavy, undefeated Poway Titans in what is a very much anticipated game in the North County. Ramona is the favorite to win Division II, but could really put a nice resume win in their cap with a victory against a Division I school from the Palomar League. Poway has more than 30 Seniors on their roster and have a great rushing attack behind Conner Rath who is averaging 157 yards a game. Poway has not had to throw it all over the yard yet to win a game but that does not mean they can't, QB Dylan Curry can lead an aerial assault if necessary. As for the Bulldogs, they bring a big and physical offensive line as well as their defensive line that got the season started by scrimmaging top ranked Cathedral Catholic. QB Colin Lester can sling it, and take off and run as he is averaging 170.5 yards per game.
Calpreps.com Prediction: #9 Poway 20 #8 Ramona 17
North County Game of the Week:
#16 Del Norte Nighthawks (2-0) at San Pasqual Golden Eagles (2-0) 7:15pm
Lee Cole has done a great job turning around the Del Norte football program and has the Nighthawks in a position to run the table the rest of the way. San Pasqual remains one of two teams on Del Norte's schedule that could ruin a perfect season for them. San Pasqual's QB Eli Griffin will have to lead the way for the Golden Eagles, as he is a dual threat averaging 127 yards on the ground and 87 yards in the air which leads the team. QB Jack Schneider has been lighting up the stat sheet while RB Christopher Guzman leads the ground attack.
Calpreps.com Prediction: Del Norte 42 San Pasqual 28
City Game of the Week:
#22 Otay Ranch Mustangs (0-2) at #15 Mira Mesa Marauders (1-1) 7pm
Otay Ranch has had one of the toughest in-town schedules as anyone in San Diego that the new coaching regime led by Brad Burton inherited form the previous. After losses to #4 Madison and #5 Helix to start the season, Friday's game against Mira Mesa will give us a look at who the 2022 Mustangs are. Mira Mesa also played Helix this season and also lost but faired better than Otay Ranch on the scoreboard before beating San Marcos last week in a pretty solid road win for the Marauders. Look for Mira Mesa's Makei Thompson to have a big game in this one.
Calpreps.com Prediction: #15 Mira Mesa 28 #22 Otay Ranch 22
East County Game of the Week:
Coronado Islanders (1-1) at Santana Sultans (0-2) 7pm
This game is a pretty evenly matched game between a DIII & DIV school. Coronado has started the season 1-1 with a win over Montgomery and a loss last week to Sweetwater. As for Santana, they have had a difficult start to the season playing a tough DIII Point Loma team and a Montgomery team that lost to Coronado. Coronado's Graham Bower will lead the charge for the Islanders into Santee for a 4 point victory over the Sultans.
Calpreps.com prediction: Coronado 21 Santana 17
South Bay Game of the Week:
Hilltop Lancers (1-1) at Chula Vista Spartans (0-2) 6:30pm
Hilltop will travel to take on the Spartans in what should be one of the closest games in the county this weekend. It'll be a battle of solid QBs as Jorge Garcia of Hilltop and Jacob Pedroza of Chula Vista dual it out.
Calpreps.com prediction: Hilltop 20 Chula Vista 17
Other Notable Games w/calpreps.com prediction:
Oceanside Pirates (0-2) at #17 Granite Hills Eagles (1-1) -17 7pm
El Capitan Vaqueros (2-0) at La Jolla Vikings (1-1) -9 7pm
Valley Center Jaguars (1-1) at Mt. Carmel Sundevils (1-1) -2 7pm
#12 Patrick Henry Patriots (0-1) at #21 Scripps Ranch Falcons (0-2) -4 7pm
Rancho Bernardo Broncos (0-2) at #10 Torrey Pines Falcons (0-2) -23 7:15pm
Rancho Buena Vista Longhorns (2-0) at Vista Panthers (0-2) -3 7pm
Intersection Games w/calpreps.com prediction:
#5 Chandler (AZ) at #1 Cathedral Catholic (1-1) -14 7pm
#22 Pinnacle (Phoenix, AZ) -7 at #13 El Camino (2-0) 7pm
#12 Mountain View (Mesa, AZ) at #5 Helix (2-0) -10 7pm
#25 Desert Vista (Phoenix, AZ) at #4 Madison (2-0) -24 4pm Saturday
#7 Red Mountain (Mesa, AZ) at #3 Mater Dei Catholic (0-2) -18 4pm
Inglewood at #2 Carlsbad (1-0) -3 7pm
#7 Lincoln (1-1) at St. Bonaventure -1 7pm
