First, a quick Halloween-related PSA.
If you see me at a game this week, or next week or even the week after, feel free to bring me any of your leftover Halloween candy.
Now, back to the football …
This is a scary time for all of the coaches whose teams are hanging around in third and fourth place in their respective leagues.
In the majority of leagues, the top three teams are guaranteed playoff spots.
Time is running out on the regular season, so make sure you leave the lights on for the Trick-or-Treaters – and of course the stadium lights need to stay on, too, for any reporter trying to make deadline.
Here is the Halloween Edition of the Pregame Madness:
WELCOME TO SCHOOLER ISLAND
We focus a lot on the offensive side of the ball, but I think it is time to give some defensive stars some shine.
First up, the county leader in interceptions … the one, the only Brenden Schooler of Trabuco Hills.
Schooler leads the county with six interceptions. He had three against Aliso Niguel two weeks ago. Schooler needs to get to work because the field is gaining on him.
Logan Garrick (Beckman), Quinten Pounds (Cypress), Gavin Shafer (Saddleback Valley Christian), Preston Ellis (St. Margaret’s) and Dominic Vaccher (Troy) all have five interceptions.
THE CHASE IS ON
Parker Chase of Corona del Mar leads the county in sacks with 12. Chase has had at least two sacks in every game this season, except one.
His nearest competition is JSerra’s Daniel Bailey. Bailey has 10.5 for the top-ranked Lions.
THE 100-TACKLE CLUB
The busiest guy in the county, besides myself, are the current members of the 100-tackle club, at least the guys that I’ve been able to track down.
Josh Debernarde (Calvary Chapel) leads the list with 115 tackles.
(#FunFact: According to the records, Debernarde is also joined by his teammates Matt Tanois (109) and Andrew Axtell (105) in the triple-digit club.)
Calvary Chapel has to be the best-tackling squad in the county.
Other ballhawking tacklers include: Kyler Lenn (Pacifica) 112; Matt Locher (Los Alamitos) 108; Ryan Garner (Brethren Christian) 106; and Mario Monroy (Santiago) 103.
ROCKIN’ THE BELL AT OCC
The annual Bell Game is on tap this week between rivals Edison and Fountain Valley.The game will be played at Orange Coast College.
It is one of the best rivalries in the county.
I’ve covered it once, back in the day, and the game was so intense and physical, I limped out of the stadium.
The Chargers lead the series, 29-14-1. The Barons lost to Huntington Beach last week.
Edison has only allowed 27 points through its first three league games.
Prediction: Edison shall keep the bell.
GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE BATTLE
The Garden Grove League title is on the line as Los Amigos and Garden Grove meet on Friday night. Both teams are 3-0.
Moby Contreras leads the Los Amigos offense with 1,603 rushing yards. Jordan Antunez (836 yards), Alejandro Ceja (492) and Tim Cao (385) are the key pieces to the Argonauts offense. Austen Christian leads the team with 525 yards and five touchdowns.
The Argonauts’ defense has allowed just 21 points in three league games.
Prediction: Look for Garden Grove to retain its title
MUST-WIN SITUATIONS IN TRINITY
You never want to be in a must-win situation in the Trinity League. Servite and Mater Dei enter Friday night at 1-2 in the league.
Mater Dei hosts Santa Margarita and Servite meets St. John Bosco.
I’m all in favor of letting all of the Trinity League teams into the playoffs.
The Monarchs lost by three to St. John Bosco, beat Servite by three and lost to JSerra by a touchdown. Servite defeated Orange Lutheran by three, lost to Mater Dei and lost to Santa Margarita by five.
I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that both of these games will be decided by less than a touchdown.
Prediction: Mater Dei and St. John Bosco
OTHER IMPORTANT GAMES FRIDAY
Costa Mesa vs. Saddleback at Estancia Hihg: On his preseason survey, Saddleback coach Rob Thompson voted his team No. 1. Look where the Roadrunners are now: tied for first place in the Orange Coast League.
Katella vs. Anaheim at Western High: The Knights are in first place, with the Colonists tied at 2-1. Anaheim lost to Magnolia last week.
Esperanza vs. Villa Park at Yorba Linda High: The winner takes sole possession of first place in the Crestview League.
Santa Ana at Westminster: The Lions are tied with Ocean View for first place. The Saints are 2-1.
Tustin at Valencia: The Tigers edged Cypress to grab the control of the league title chase. The Tillers bounced back from their loss to Cypress with a 31-0 victory over Pacifica.
MY TOP 10 VOTE
1. JSerra; 2. Santa Margarita; 3. Mater Dei; 4. Servite; 5. Orange Lutheran; 6. Mission Viejo; 7. Edison; 8. Los Alamitos; 9. Tesoro; 10. Corona del Mar
ON FRIDAY NIGHT I WILL BE AT . . .
Huntington Beach High for Los Alamitos vs. Huntington Beach.
Los Alamitos looks to stay undefeated in the Sunset League when it visits Huntington Beach, which enters the week in a three-way tie at 1-2.
