Publisher's Picks (Prep Football Week 3)

Curon Brown-Dunn (#31) & the Lincoln Hornets get set for a what should be a tough visit from rival Morse.

Rules

• Our publisher will predict the winner of 10 San Diego prep football games each week.
• Locked Games: Match-ups between teams ranked in the San Diego Union Tribune Poll.
• Upset Pick: Underdog team most likely to win, must select one every week.
• Remaining games will be publisher's choice, competitive match-ups are first priority.
• All games must take place on Friday & feature San Diego Section opponents.
• Every incorrect pick will be punishable by consuming an undesirable food or beverage product (no alcohol or anything harmful), including two for every incorrect upset pick.

San Diego Union-Tribune Prep Football Poll (Week 3)

Rank / Team / 2018 Record / Points / Week 2 Ranking / Comments

1. Torrey Pines (26) / 2-0 / 296 / 1 / Falcons stay on top after a thrilling win over San Clemente (CA).

2. La Costa Canyon (1) / 2-0 / 251 / 2 / Convincing win over Vista keeps Mavs at #2.

3. Madison (1) / 2-0 / 230 / 3 / Warhawks continue to soar pass their non-league competition.

4. Helix (2) / 1-1 / 205 / 4 / Scotties to face high ranked Arizona foe Saguaro (Scottsdale, AZ).

5. San Marcos / 2-0 / 172 / 6 / Knights set for Avocado League opener at Oceanside.

6. Cathedral Catholic / 1-1 / 146 / 8 / Tough outing vs. Serra (Gardena, CA) awaits Dons.

7. St. Augustine / 2-0 / 72 / NR / Saints make their first Top 10 appearance of 2018.

8. Mission Hills / 0-2 / 54 / 5 / Grizzlies hope to avoid first 0-3 start since 2011.

9. Lincoln / 2-0 / 53 / 10 / Gutsy comeback win at San Diego, huge rivalry week vs. Morse.

10. Eastlake / 1-1 / 47 / NR / The Titans jump in the Top 10 after earning their first win of the season.

*Includes forfeit loss

First-place votes in parenthesis

Points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis

Others Receiving Votes: Carlsbad (1-1, 34 points), Ramona (1-1, 21 points), Rancho Bernardo (1-1, 13 points), Monte Vista (2-0, 11 points), Mira Mesa (2-0, 10 points), Point Loma (1-1, 9 points), Oceanside (1-1, 7 points), Granite Hills (2-0, 6 points), Otay Ranch (1-1, 6 points), Grossmont (1-1, 3 points), Imperial (2-0, 2 points), Central Union (2-0, 1 point), Morse (2-0, 1 point).

Voters: 30 sportswriters, sportscasters and officials from throughout the county

John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune); Terry Monahan, Don Norcross, Tom Saxe, Rick Hoff and Jim Lindgren (freelance writers); Paul Rudy and Brandon Stone (KUSI-TV); Adam Paul (ECPreps.com); Ramon Scott (EastCountySports.com); Bodie DeSilva (SanDiegoPreps.com); Ted Mendenhall and Taylor Quellman (The Mighty 1090); Steve Brand (San Diego Hall of Champions); Troy Hirsch (Fox 5 San Diego); Rick Smith (PartletonSports.com); Jerry Schniepp, John Labeta. Ron Marquez and Carlton Hoggard (CIF San Diego Section office); Joe Heinz (Coordinator of Athletics, Sweetwater Schools); Raymond Brown (SDFootball.net); Montell Allen (MBASports-SDFNL Magazine); Bob Petinak (1360 Radio); John Kentera and Braden Surprenant (97.3-FM The Fan); Steve Dolan (Mountain Country 107.9-FM); Jim Arnaiz, Mike Dolan and John Carroll (CIF Football Tournament Directors).

Publisher's Picks (Week 2 Results)

Trailing 13-0 at the start of the fourth quarter, Lincoln (2-0) put up two unanswered touchdowns to force overtime, where they would go on to clinch the come-from-behind win over the scrappy Cavers (1-1).

Cathedral Catholic (1-1) defeated El Camino (1-1) for the first time in program history.

Serra (0-2) started off hot leading 16-0, but Santana (2-0) fought back to take the lead and hold off the Conquistadors' attempt at a game-winning field goal as time expired.

La Jolla (1-1) proved to be too much for cross-town rival La Jolla Country Day (0-2).

Point Loma lights up the scoreboard as they knock off No. 7 Ramona (1-1).

Jahmon McClendon's six-touchdown performance led Monte Vista (2-0) past University City (1-1).

Granite Hills (2-0) tops Mt. Carmel (0-2) for its second straight win over a North County squad.

Poway (1-1) shut out Olympian (0-2) to earn its first win of the season.

West Hills (2-0) is off to its best start since 2013 after defeating Valhalla (0-2).

Mourning the loss of their principle, Otay Ranch (1-1) came into the game with heavy hearts, but manage to come-from-behind to defeat the favored Jaguars (1-1).

Week 3 Games

San Marcos at Oceanside 

Morse at Lincoln

Point Loma at Otay Ranch

Poway at Ramona

Santana at Christian

Santa Fe Christian at La Jolla

Escondido Charter at Orange Glen

Mt. Carmel at Mira Mesa

Vista at Rancho Buena Vista

Mount Miguel at Valhalla

Publisher's Picks (Prep Football Week 2)

Rules

• Our publisher will predict the winner of 10 San Diego prep football games each week.
• Locked Games: Match-ups between teams ranked in the San Diego Union Tribune Poll.
• Upset Pick: Underdog team most likely to win, must select one every week.
• Remaining games will be publisher's choice, competitive match-ups are first priority.
• All games must take place on Friday & feature San Diego Section opponents.
• Every incorrect pick will be punishable by consuming an undesirable food or beverage product (no alcohol or anything harmful), including two for every incorrect upset pick.

San Diego Union-Tribune Prep Football Poll (Week 2)

Rank / Team / 2018 Record / Points / Week 1 Ranking / Comments

1. Torrey Pines (22) / 1-0 / 292 / 2 / Falcons grab top spot after shutting out Eastlake

2. La Costa Canyon (4) / 1-0 / 246 / 6 / Nicholas' career-high 5 sacks helps LCC top Cathedral

3. Madison (1) / 1-0 / 232 / 5 / Warhawks soaring towards the top after holding off RB

4. Helix (3) / 0-1 / 189 / 1 / No shame losing to a national Top 50, but enough to lose top rank

5. Mission Hills / 0-1 / 143 / 4 / Setback to Paramount (CA) drops Griz a spot 

6. San Marcos / 1-0 / 141 / 7 / Knights move up after edging Otay Ranch

7. Ramona / 1-0 / 111 / 8 / Bulldogs rout of Mater Dei put them up a notch

8. Cathedral Catholic / 0-1 / 103 / 3 / Loss to LCC drops Dons towards the bottom 

9. Carlsbad / 1-0 / 75 / NR / Lancers earn respect after knocking off defending state champs

10. Lincoln / 1-0 / 35 / NR / Blowout win over Bloomington (CA) earns Top 10 berth

*Includes forfeit loss

First-place votes in parenthesis

Points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis

Others Receiving Votes: Valley Center (1-0, 25 points), St. Augustine (1-0, 23 points), Eastlake (0-1, 19 points), Grossmont (1-0, 4 points), Mira Mesa (1-0, 3 points), Oceanside (0-1, 3 points),  Rancho Bernardo (0-1, 3points), Granite Hills (1-0, 1 point),  University City (1-0, 1 point).

Voters: 30 sportswriters, sportscasters and officials from throughout the county

John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune); Terry Monahan, Don Norcross, Tom Saxe, Rick Hoff and Jim Lindgren (freelance writers); Paul Rudy and Brandon Stone (KUSI-TV); Adam Paul (ECPreps.com); Ramon Scott (EastCountySports.com); Bodie DeSilva (SanDiegoPreps.com); Ted Mendenhall and Taylor Quellman (The Mighty 1090); Steve Brand (San Diego Hall of Champions); Troy Hirsch (Fox 5 San Diego); Rick Smith (PartletonSports.com); Jerry Schniepp, John Labeta. Ron Marquez and Carlton Hoggard (CIF San Diego Section office); Joe Heinz (Coordinator of Athletics, Sweetwater Schools); Raymond Brown (SDFootball.net); Montell Allen (MBASports-SDFNL Magazine); Bob Petinak (1360 Radio); John Kentera and Braden Surprenant (97.3-FM The Fan); Steve Dolan (Mountain Country 107.9-FM); Jim Arnaiz, Mike Dolan and John Carroll (CIF Football Tournament Directors).

Video: USD Football's newest member

TORERO STADIUM (09/18/2018) David Vellon was introduced as the newest member of the University of San Diego football team after scoring the final touchdown of the 2018 Fall Scrimmage.

Vellon is a nine-year-old from Poway, California, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Through TeamIMPACT – a national nonprofit that matches children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses with college sports teams to foster confidence, optimism and a sense of belonging – Vellon was paired with the Toreros for the 2018 season.

We spoke with head coach Dale Lindsey about the special moment and previewed the upcoming season with senior quarterback Anthony Lawrence (Grossmont High).

Lawrence was named to the 2018 STATS FCS Walter Payton Watch List after completing 245-of-347 passes for 3,131 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2017.

The Toreros open the season Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. PT when they host Western New Mexico.

San Diego Union-Tribune Prep Football Poll (Week 1 Results)

Five ranked teams (including three of the top 4) began the 2018 season with a loss. How far will they fall when the Week 2 rankings are released on Monday?

Rank / Team / Record / Week 1 Result

#1 Helix (14) / 0-1 / Loss to Cajon (San Bernardino, CA) 3-43

#2 Torrey Pines (3) / 1-0 / Def. #9 Eastlake 13-0

#3 Cathedral Catholic (8) / 0-1 / Loss to #6 La Costa Canyon 7-19

#4 Mission Hills (3) / 0-1 / Loss to Paramount (CA) 18-26

#5 Madison (1) / 1-0 / Def. Rancho Bernardo 26-18

#6 La Costa Canyon / 1-0 / Def. #3 Cathedral Catholic 19-7

#7 San Marcos / 1-0 / Def. Otay Ranch 23-21 

#8 Ramona / 1-0 / Def. Mater Dei Catholic 28-0

#9 Eastlake / 0-1 / Loss to #2 Torrey Pines 0-13

#10 Steele Canyon / 0-1 / Loss to Carlsbad 13-41

Prep Football Games to Watch (Week 1)

Here's a look at two of the most intriguing matchups of the upcoming opening week.

#2 Torrey Pines Falcons at #9 Eastlake Titans

Series History

First Meeting: 2004 - Torrey Pines 17, Eastlake 0

Previous Meeting: 2012 - Eastlake 28, Torrey Pines 10 (D-I Playoffs)

Eastlake leads All-Time Series 3-1

Breakdown

After a 14-season stint as the Titans' head coach (which includes two section titles), John McFadden decided to step down following the 2013 season. Five years later, he regains his position and will look to continue the winning tradition he helped build.

The new McFadden era begins this opening week with what should be a challenging visit from Torrey Pines, who is seeking its third-straight Open Division playoff berth. The Falcons return 11 starters from last year's team that missed out on the title game by three points.

Led by senior run stopper Joshua McCurty, Eastlake boasts a highly touted defense. They'll be tasked with trying to shutdown the Falcons' Wing-T attack operated by quarterback Jason Heine, two-way standout Mac Bingham at fullback, and left tackle Brian Driscoll leading the big guys up front.

Last season's leading passer Daniel Amon transferred to Helix, so the Titans will be looking to sophomore Richie Colmonero to lead their offense. Returning tailback Roman Coe racked up 860 yards and eight touchdowns in 2017.

San Diego Union-Tribune Preseason Prep Football Poll

Rank / Team / 2017 Record / Points / Final 2017 Ranking / Comments

1. Helix (14) / 12-1 / 262 / 1 / Highlanders right back where they ended last season.

2. Torrey Pines (3) / 7-5 / 236 / 4 / Veteran QB, RB and big OL. Great summer.

3. Cathedral Catholic (8) / 5-7 / 221 / NR / Dons are healthy and ready to challenge.

4. Mission Hills (3) / 12-1 / 198 / 2 / New QB and offensive cast, but same rugged defense.

5. Madison (1) / 8-3 / 189 / 8 / Great skill players on offense, but line is a question.

6. La Costa Canyon / 7-4* / 130 / NR / This could be the year Mavericks join the elite.

7. San Marcos / 9-3 / 106 / 3 / Ball will be in the air with 3,000-yard QB. 

8. Ramona / 12-1 / 96 / 7 / Lost in Division II final spoiled perfect season.

9. Eastlake / 10-3 / 51 / 10 / New coach, new QB, still ranked high. 

10. Steele Canyon / 10-4 / 34 / 6 / State championship last year earns Cougars some respect.

*Includes forfeit loss

First-place votes in parenthesis

Points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis

Others Receiving Votes: Lincoln (9-2, 1 first-place vote, 26 points), Carlsbad (6-6, 23 points), Oceanside (6-7, 21 points), Valley Center (9-2, 16 points), El Camino (8-6, 13 points), St. Augustine (7-4, 12 points), Granite Hills (10-3, 3 points), Otay Ranch (8-4, 3 points), Rancho Bernardo (6-6, 2 points), Southwest-El Centro (13-0, 2 points), University City (10-2, 2 points), Bishop's (9-1, 1 point), Monte Vista (8-6, 1 point).

Voters: 30 sportswriters, sportscasters and officials from throughout the county

John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune); Terry Monahan, Don Norcross, Tom Saxe, Rick Hoff and Jim Lindgren (freelance writers); Paul Rudy and Brandon Stone (KUSI-TV); Adam Paul (ECPreps.com); Ramon Scott (EastCountySports.com); Bodie DeSilva (SanDiegoPreps.com); Ted Mendenhall and Taylor Quellman (The Mighty 1090); Steve Brand (San Diego Hall of Champions); Troy Hirsch (Fox 5 San Diego); Rick Smith (PartletonSports.com); Jerry Schniepp, John Labeta. Ron Marquez and Carlton Hoggard (CIF San Diego Section office); Joe Heinz (Coordinator of Athletics, Sweetwater Schools); Raymond Brown (SDFootball.net); Montell Allen (MBASports-SDFNL Magazine); Bob Petinak (1360 Radio); John Kentera and Braden Surprenant (97.3-FM The Fan); Steve Dolan (Mountain Country 107.9-FM); Jim Arnaiz, Mike Dolan and John Carroll (CIF Football Tournament Directors).

Video: 2018 SDFNL Kickoff Classic

For the fifth straight year, SDFNL Magazine hosted a day of scrimmages to kickoff the upcoming season of San Diego Prep Football. Once again the event was a huge success and tons of can goods were donated to the San Diego Food Bank.

Game 1: La Jolla Country Day vs. Kearny

Game 2: Lincoln vs. Chula Vista

Game 3: #2 Madison vs. Eastlake