This could be a special Friday night in the high school football season for the teams, players and fans.
The Southern California News Group has reporters covering more than 30 games tonight, ready to report on everything that happens.
Before the games start, check out what high school football analyst Michael Huntley has put together — his list of the “players to watch” and his predictions for some of the top games.
HUNTLEY’S PREDICTIONS
Tustin vs. San Juan Hills: San Juan Hills is coming off a game where it scored 44 points in a loss to Mission Viejo in the Alpha League title game. Tustin held a good Capistrano Valley offense under 150 yards last week and had three interceptions. The Tillers won’t do that against San Juan Hills quarterback Parker Armstrong, who threw for 381 yards last week.
The pick: San Juan Hills
Serra vs. Palos Verdes: This is a rematch of a Week 0 game where Palos Verdes won 17-14 on a last-minute field goal. Palos Verdes quarterback Ryan Rakowski completes 71 percent of his passes with 19 touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns. Serra’s defense has eight interceptions with Derrick Coleman leading the team with three.
The pick: Palos Verdes
Long Beach Poly vs. Norco: Long Beach Poly hasn’t allowed a point in its last four games. Norco has been playing sophomore Dylan Hansen at quarterback and he threw for 326 yards last week. This is Long Beach Poly’s toughest opponent it has faced since quarterback Trevor Scott debuted four games ago.
The pick: Long Beach Poly
Newbury Park vs. Downey: Newbury Park is on a two-game losing streak but Aiden Tasci threw for 245 yards with two touchdowns last week. Downey has been rolling on defense lately and Matthew Dalhover has had double-digit tackles in four games this season.
The pick: Downey
Baldwin Park vs. Ventura: This game is a bit of a contrast of styles with Baldwin Park’s strong rushing offense and Ventura’s good passing attack. Jacory Coleman has 1,002 yards rushing and quarterback Lequand Jackson has 20 passing touchdowns with five rushing. Gavin Scarlett throws for 222 yards per game with 23 touchdowns for Ventura.
The pick: Baldwin Park
Valley Christian vs. Bellflower: These are two of the best passing offenses in the Long Beach area. Valley Christian quarterback Graham Lunzer throws for 245 yards per game with 35 passing touchdowns and 15 rushing touchdowns. E’lacion Saxton of Bellflower throws for 282 yards per game with 34 touchdowns.
The pick: Bellflower
HUNTLEY’S PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brady Edmunds, QB, Huntington Beach: Edmunds faces an Inglewood team that hasn’t allowed a passing touchdown in its last two games. The Ohio State commit threw 11 touchdown passes with just two interceptions in Delta League play.
Maverick Declark, LB, Villa Park: Declark leads Villa Park with 58 tackles, three sacks and has an interception. He will be crucial in Villa Park’s efforts to stop the run against Apple Valley, which has 26 rushing touchdowns this season.
Kai Mamaril, DB, Chaparral: Mamaril leads Chaparral in interceptions with three and pass deflections with nine. Chaparral faces Orange, which threw for 383 yards per game with 42 touchdowns and just one interception this season.
Boogie Baker, LB, Chino Hills: Baker leads the Southern Section in sacks with 15 and is fifth in the state in sacks. Chino Hills will need Baker to pressure the quarterback against Culver City, which throws for 372 yards per game with 40 touchdowns.
Jalen Flowers, WR, Palos Verdes: Flowers might be the best two-way junior in the Southern Section with eight receiving touchdowns and three interceptions on defense. He has a tough matchup against Serra’s very good secondary that features two Division I commits and a top junior recruit.
Cordae Caston, LB, Lawndale: Caston leads Lawndale in tackles with 64 and has an interception and a forced fumble. Lawndale plays Ocean View, which rushes for 317 yards per game and has 35 rushing touchdowns this season.
Kasim Shepherd, DB, Long Beach Poly: Shepherd leads Long Beach Poly with five interceptions and has two blocked punts. He might be matched up with BYU-committed receiver Blake Wong of Norco frequently otnight.
Jerimiah Boyette, WR, Paramount: Boyette leads Paramount in receiving with 776 yards and nine touchdowns despite playing just five games. Paramount has a tough challenge against San Dimas, which hasn’t allowed more than 15 points in its last four games.
Hudson Manning, DL, Chaminade: Manning is second in the Section in sacks with 14½ and has 23 hurries. Chaminade plays Corona del Mar, which throws for 202 yards per game with 20 touchdowns.
David Dias, DL, Moorpark: Dias leads Moorpark’s defense with 7½ sacks and nine hurries. Moorpark will need a good pass rush against Trabuco Hills, which throws for 198 yards per game with 23 touchdowns.
Jason Brown, DL, Muir: Brown is the top defensive lineman for Muir. He can rush the passer and also plays running back in goal line situations. Muir will need good defensive line play against Hillcrest, which rushes for 248 yards per game with 35 touchdowns.
Gabriel Burgos, RB, Sonora: Burgos has rushed for 1,027 yards with eight touchdowns this season, but he hasn’t had a rushing touchdown in his last two games. He has a challenge this week against Desert Christian Academy, which has allowed double-digit points only once in its last five games.