The opening of the league portion of the schedule was wild.
All three Trinity League games were decided by seven points or less, Newport Harbor and Huntington Beach scored points in bunches in their game, La Habra held off a determined Buena Park team in the Freeway League opener, Sonora’s Jacob Fimbres rushed for 310 yards against Sunny Hills.
That was just the first week. What kind of emotions will happen this week?
Let the OCVarsity Pregame Madness begin …
The good game streak is at 1
Tip of the cap to the La Habra and Buena Park football teams – and the refs – for making last Friday’s game the best one I’ve covered this year. It was also the first game in a long time where I was able to concentrate wihout the concern of insects running around. Now, I still don’t know what happened to our dinner that was supposed to be delivered, but I’ll just blame that on the Jonathan Khamis Kurse.
Speaking of Khamis
I heard he likes fiber bars, so if you see him at a game, feel free to throw him a couple. If you do, he will bring the next edition of “Offsides” to your campus.
A look at the O.C. rushing race
Heading into this week of games, Moby Contreras (Los Amigos) is sitting atop the county as the leading rusher with 1,187 yards. Oscar Gomez (St. Margaret’s) and Jacob Fimbres (Sonora) are the nearest competitors. They’re all separated by 119 yards.
Academy League Shootout
Brethren Christian visits St. Margaret’s Friday night in a key Academy League game. This will probably be a shootout. I hope the scoreboard operator is ready.
The Tartans are averaging 42 points a game and are allowing just below eight points a game. We already know that Oscar Gomez is one of the leading rushers in the county. The Warriors are averaging 40 points a game. Quarterback Conner Miller has passed for 1,870 yards with 31 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
Prediction: Brethren Christian (only because Fryer picked St. Margaret’s)
South Coast League Royal Rumble
Perhaps the best non-Trinity League game of the week is down south as Mission Viejo visits Tesoro in the South Coast League Royal Rumble.
Since starting the season 0-2, the Diablos have run off five consecutive victories. The Titans lost their first game of the year, but are on a six-game winning streak.
The game will have a real impact on the West Valley Division. Tesoro is the top-ranked team and the Diablos are ranked fourth.
Who survives the Rumble? Cena? Orton? Ambrose? Lesnar?
Prediction: Mission Viejo (only because Fryer picked Tesoro)
And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for …
The weekly look into the Trinity League
This week, we have something for everybody. Santa Margarita and Orange Lutheran meet in a survivor match. Going 0-2 in this league is not the way to go.
We also have the traditional rival between Mater Dei and Servite. This is like Stone Cold v. Bret Hart or Hart v. Shawn Michaels … OK, maybe not as heated as Hart and Michaels, but you get the point.
Finally, St. John Bosco faces JSerra. The Lions can be considered the rookies trying to chop down the established champion. Are the Lions really ready to sit on the throne as the King of the League?
I would be in favor of the Trinity League staging all three games at one location, each week. Imagine the fun.
This week’s winners: (let me check with Fryer’s predictions first). I’m going with Servite, JSerra and Orange Lutheran.
Other key games to buy a ticket to this week:
Edison vs. Huntington Beach: City rivalry brings the Oilers and Chargers together in a loser leaves town match.
Los Alamitos vs. Newport Harbor: The game will be at Vets Stadium. Both teams are 1-0. I’ll be there, so you really should buy a ticket to this game.
Sunny Hills at Buena Park: Both teams dropped their league openers. Who will be able to bounce back quickly this week? I think the Coyotes will.
Sonora vs. Troy at Fullerton High: Both teams enter the week 1-0. The Raiders can score. The Warriors always seem to make the right plays in a close game. They’ve been involved in four games decided by seven points or less and they’re 3-1. Ooooohhh. Fryer picked Troy, so I’ll take the Raiders.
Cypress vs. Tustin at Western High: Both teams, along with Valencia won their league openers. A victory by Cypress set up a showdown with Valencia next week. The Tillers have a few weeks before crossing paths with the Tigers.
Here is my top 10
1. Mater Dei; 2. JSerra; 3. Servite; 4. Santa Margarita; 5. Tesoro; 6. Orange Lutheran; 7. Corona del Mar; 8. Los Alamitos; 9. Mission Viejo; 10. San Clemente.
See you Friday night at ….
Veteran’s Stadium. Newport Harbor takes on Los Alamitos in a big Sunset League game. It is time to get ready for the climb to the press box.
