Previews and predictions for Week 6's best games – Orange County Register

A preview and prediction for each of the best football games in Orange County this week. The teams are ranked based on their ranking in the Orange County Top 25.

GAME OF THE WEEK

NO. 5 SERVITE (5-0) VS. NO. 3 SERIES (5-0)

Where, when: JSerra High, Friday, 7 p.m

Analysis: It is the first match for both teams in the mighty Trinity League. Servite has played the past few games without Michigan State-committed senior quarterback Leo Hannan, who was injured. He did not play for the Friars in a 33-14 win over St. Paul last week. Colin O'Connor played the position and completed 6 of 13 passes for 102 yards and touchdown. It was senior running back Quaid Carr who made the Friars offense disappear, rushing for 79 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. He also returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. Gavin Gutierrez rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown on six carries. JSerra junior quarterback Ryan Hopkins has been outstanding: he passed for 136 yards per game with eight touchdowns and just one interception and is the team's leading rusher at 391 yards and six rushing touchdowns. The Lions' strength is their defense, led by senior linebacker Madden Faraimo, who has offers from Notre Dame, USC and many others. Servite has a better chance of winning if Hannan plays. Even if Hannan does play, JSerra certainly has the goods to win it.

Winner: Conservatory

NO. 12 VILLAPARK (4-1) USA NO. 8 YORBA LINDA (5-0)

Where, when: Yorba Linda High, Thursday, 7 p.m

Analysis: This is an opener in the new six-team Bravo League. Villa Park lost the season opener 35-14 to Inglewood, which is now 5-0. The Spartans went on to win four games in a row, including two games in which they scored more than 50 points. Senior quarterback Nate Lewis was great. In a 34–33 win over Upland, he completed 16 of 22 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns, made nine tackles and intercepted a pass, kicked all of the team's extra points and was 2 for 2 on field goal attempts. Yorba Linda is actually 4-1 on the field. The Mustangs' 19–16 loss to San Jacinto became a forfeit win because San Jacinto used an ineligible player in that game. Yorba Linda doesn't have any superstar players, but the Mustangs are doing everything right. And they can play comeback football, as evidenced by their fourth-quarter rallies for wins over Edison, Tustin and Charter Oak. Yorba Linda has steady senior quarterback Holden Nagin, who makes any team better, and a great inside-out running back combo of Vaughn Sharp and Cole Nerio. Yorba Linda plays flawless football and it is difficult to beat a team like that.

Winner: Yorba Linda

LONG BEACH POLY (2-3) VS. NO. 2 MISSION VIEJO (6-0)

Where, when: SoFi Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m

Analysis: It's the last non-league game in a long stretch for Mission Viejo. And what a place for it, home of the Chargers and Rams. This might not be Mission Viejo's only football game at SoFi Stadium in 2024. Maybe the CIF Southern Section Division 1 game will be played at SoFi. The Diablos average 45 points per game and play a challenging schedule. With Luke Fahey and Draiden Trudeau sharing equal time at quarterback, Mission Viejo is averaging 291 passing yards per game. Receiver Vance Spafford, who has offers from many colleges including Georgia, Oregon and Tennessee, is having a stellar junior year with 33 catches for 660 yards and 12 touchdowns. Senior defensive end Jaden Williams, who has committed to San Diego State, already has 19.5 sacks. Long Beach won 0-3 against three strong teams, Folsom, San Diego's Lincoln and Serra, before Moore League wins over Long Beach Jordan and Lakewood. Mission Viejo plays flawlessly and that continues in this one.

Winner: Mission Viejo

NO. 4 ORANGE LUTHERAN (4-1) VS. ST. JOHANNES BOSCO (5-0)

Where, when: St. John Bosco High, Friday, 7 p.m

Analysis: Both teams enter this Trinity League opener after a bye week. Orange Lutheran staged a wild comeback two weeks ago at Sierra Canyon for a 33-26 victory. The Lancers trailed the Trailblazers 26-7. St. John Bosco defeated Sierra Canyon 38-28 on September 7. Orange Lutheran senior quarterback TJ Lateef, who is committed to Nebraska, has completed 70 percent of his passes for an average of 221 yards per game with 13 touchdowns. Sophomore receiver CJ Flores has 29 receptions for 393 yards and four touchdowns. St. John Bosco would be “down” this season from Mount Whitney's high standards of recent years. No, nothing like that will exist as long as Jason Negro coaches the Braves. They win by an average margin of 27 points per game. Junior quarterback Matai Fuiava has completed 62 percent of his passes for 231 yards per game with 13 touchdowns. St. John Bosco has won 15 straight games at the on-campus Panish Family Stadium and is 37-3 since then the stadium opened in 2018. The losses there are two to Mater Dei and one to Servite, the most recent, in the 2021 playoffs. When two teams are as evenly matched as these two seem, home field advantage has value.

Winner: St. John Bosco

NO. 23 LAGUNA BEACH (5-0) USA NORTHWOOD (5-0)

Where, when: Irvine High, Friday, 7 p.m

Analysis: Laguna Beach is averaging 41 points per game while allowing just four points per game in this Foxtrot League opener. Hands on the Breakers' offensive wheel belong to Minnesota-committed senior quarterback Jackson Kollock. He has thrown for 974 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 254 yards and six touchdowns. These numbers would be higher if Kollock wasn't removed from one-sided wins early. The Breakers have won their past three games by shutout thanks to their defense's ability to create turnovers. Nine different Laguna Beach players are intercepted, led by Jack Hooper's two picks. Northwood also has a solid defense. The Timberwolves allow just six points per game. Their run-emphasis offense led by running backs Jack Brucker and Joseph Harper and the usual stout offensive line do enough to keep the team undefeated. Laguna Beach brings a passing-oriented offensive style that Northwood hasn't seen much of this season, and the Breakers' passing game offers comeback potential.

Winner: Laguna Beach

Fryer about football last week: 3-2

Season so far: 23-8