Week 9: Lots of big-game predictions
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
There’s a ton of big games in Week 9 packed heavy with playoff implications, so let’s get right to it:
Agoura (5-3, 3-2) at Westlake (5-3, 4-1), Friday, 7 p.m. -- Whichever team wins this one will pretty much guarantee itself a playoff spot, especially if things go as expected in the Newbury Park-Moorpark showdown. This one will be close, but I think the Warriors have the edge as long as they find away to keep talented QB Doug Shumway under control.
My prediction: Westlake 35, Agoura 28
Calpreps.com prediction: Westlake 31, Agoura 27
Morro Bay (8-0, 5-0) at St. Joseph (6-2, 4-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m. -- QB Logan Budd, TE/DE Jerome Long and everyone else on the Pirate ship will be on their way toward clinching the program’s first outright league title since 1971 with a victory over the defending Los Padres League champs. But I’m sure QB Gavin Kelly and RB Russell Perkins will be eager to put last week’s upsetting loss to Santa Ynez behind them.
My prediction: Morro Bay 27, St. Joseph 21
Calpreps.com: Morro Bay 21, St. Joseph 14
Camarillo (6-2, 3-0) at Oxnard (6-2, 3-0), Friday, 7 p.m. -- The Pacific View League title will be up for grabs, and until I see a dip in Camarillo QB Marcus’ Sanchez‘s numbers, I’m going to have to go with the Scorpions in this one. However, both teams have racked up some impressive wins this season, even though Camarillo’s schedule has been a pinch tougher.
My prediction: Camarillo 34, Oxnard 27
Calpreps.com: Camarillo 26, Oxnard 24
St. Francis (4-4, 1-0) at Chaminade (5-3, 0-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m. -- Well, I was wrong about both these teams last week, so go ahead and taunt my credibility for going with Chaminade this week. Unlike Alemany, the Eagles are too polished on both sides of the ball to let the Golden Knights pull off another upset.
My prediction: Chaminade 28, St. Francis 19
Calpreps.com: Chaminade 28, St. Francis 19
No. 10 Crespi (6-2, 1-0) vs. Loyola (4-4, 0-1) at Glendale HS, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. -- The Celts delivered the smackdown on Bishop Amat, but the toughness level will rise significantly with the tested Cubs. Loyola limited Notre Dame‘s run attack last week and if it can stop Austin Shanks and UCLA-bound E.J. Woods this week, an upset wouldn’t be too far-fetched.
My prediction: Crespi 27, Loyola 19
Calpreps.com: Crespi 22, Loyola 10
Other notable regional Friday contests:
- Santa Barbara (6-2, 2-1) at Ventura (2-6, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. -- Battle of the best-behind-St. Bonny in the Channel League.
- Simi Valley (4-4, 2-3) at Thousand Oaks (4-4, 3-2), 7 p.m. -- Must-win for both teams looking from the outside of the Marmonte League playoff picture.
- Palmdale (5-1, 6-0) at Highland (5-3, 4-1), 7 p.m. -<- Falcons can clinch at least a share of their sixth-consecutive Golden League title while Highland needs a win to stay in postseason hunt.
- Paso Robles (7-1, 3-0) at San Luis Obispo (5-2-1, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. -- A Tiger upset would practically guarantee them a share of the Pac-7 League title.
-- Austin Knoblauch
