Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography
The Main Event: Lincoln vs. Cathedral Catholic
All eyes will be on Southeast San Diego this Friday for a game that needs no introduction: a rematch of the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Open Division Championship. The No. 1 ranked Lincoln Hornets (7-1) host the No. 5 Cathedral Catholic Dons (6-2) in a Western League battle dripping with history. The Hornets have won the last four meetings, including a 31-13 victory that clinched the title last December. For Lincoln, this is about defending their throne and proving their dominance remains. For Cathedral Catholic, it’s about nothing less than revenge and staying in the Open Division playoff picture.
The matchup is highlighted by elite individual talent. Lincoln's offensive juggernaut, which averages 43.5 points per game, is fueled by a multi-pronged attack. While quarterback Kainan Manna has been efficient, the ground game is devastating, led by the dynamic duo of Rashad Robinson (2nd in the section with 74 total points) and Junior Curtis (3rd in the section with 72 points). Their defense, which flies to the ball for 77.6 tackles per game, is anchored by Oregon commit Prince Tavizon, section sack leader Jaydin Lewis (7.0 sacks) and tackling machine Seth Fanua. Cathedral Catholic counters with their own stars. Quarterback Brady Palmer is 2nd in the Western League in total yards (1,547), expertly distributing the ball to top receiver Isaac Cook Jr. (13th in the section with 636 receiving yards) and versatile scoring threat Honor Faalave-Johnson (2nd in the league with 11 total TDs).
The key battles will be in the trenches and on the perimeter. Can Cathedral Catholic's offensive line contain Lincoln's pass rush? Conversely, can the Dons' secondary find an answer for Lincoln's offensive weapons and prevent the big play? The psychological edge in this contest is monumental. Lincoln plays with the swagger of a champion, a team that knows how to win these high-stakes moments. Cathedral Catholic carries the weight of recent history, but also the burning motivation that comes from it.
While the Dons have the top-end talent to pull off the upset, Lincoln’s combination of home-field advantage, championship experience, and a more diverse array of game-breaking players makes them the team to beat. In what promises to be an emotional, hard-hitting classic, the Hornets’ reign looks poised to continue for at least one more year.
Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography
The Crosstown Classic: Carlsbad vs. La Costa Canyon
Up the coast, another epic rivalry takes center stage as the undefeated No. 2 ranked Carlsbad Lancers (8-0) host the high-powered No. 4 La Costa Canyon Mavericks (7-1) in the annual battle for the city of Carlsbad. This Avocado League clash is more than a game; it’s for neighborhood bragging rights, a crucial advantage in the league title race, and Open Division implications. The Lancers represent disciplined, defensive excellence, while the Mavericks bring an offensive avalanche that can overwhelm any opponent. The contrasting styles, now personified by a host of statistical leaders, promise a compelling battle for North County supremacy.
Carlsbad’s perfect record is built on the back of a stifling defense that has allowed just 97 points all season. Their offense is efficient, led by quarterback Eli MacNeal, who ranks 2nd in the Avocado-West in total yards (1,562). However, the identity of this team is its defense, which is anchored by Ashawn Cranford, the league's outright sack leader (5.0), and a secondary that features return threat Travis Jeffery. La Costa Canyon counters with a breathtaking, star-powered offense that averages a section-best 42.0 points per game. They are led by the Avocado-West's top passer, Quinn Roth (1,635 yards), and its top rusher and scorer, Coby Herman (1,038 yards, 17 Total TDs). The Mavericks' defense is no slouch either, featuring the league's top three tacklers: Ryan Scully (58), Henry Mallory (52), and Ian Dunford (50).
The outcome will hinge on a fundamental clash: Carlsbad's immovable object versus LCC's unstoppable force. Can the Lancers' disciplined front, led by Cranford, contain Herman and pressure Roth into mistakes? Conversely, can the Mavericks' trio of elite tacklers swarm Carlsbad's balanced attack and create the turnovers needed to fuel their own high-octane offense? The special teams battle is also critical, featuring LCC's dynamic Jackson Maggiore, the section's top punt returner, against Carlsbad's reliable kicking game.
History and common opponents suggest Carlsbad has the edge; they boast a decisive win over Mission Hills, a team that narrowly defeated LCC. In a rivalry known for its emotion and unpredictability, the Lancers’ proven formula of defensive toughness and clutch execution gives them a slight nod to protect their perfect season in front of their home crowd. But with an offense as potent as La Costa Canyon's, led by three of the section's most productive players, one explosive play can change everything.
Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography
The Non-Conference Heavyweight Fight: Mission Hills vs. Rancho Bernardo
In a rare late-season non-conference treat, two 7-1 titans, the No. 3 Mission Hills Grizzlies and Rancho Bernardo Broncos, will clash in San Marcos. This game serves as a final playoff tune-up and a major resume booster for both squads. It’s a classic "strength vs. strength" matchup that pits Mission Hills' efficient, balanced system against Rancho Bernardo's offensive wrecking crew and a defensive tackling machine.
Mission Hills enters as a formidable and precise force. Their offense, which averages 33.5 points per game, is led by senior quarterback Troy Huhn, who operates with stunning efficiency, boasting a 144.5 QB rating and a 72.4% completion percentage. He spreads the ball to a talented receiving corps featuring Myzael Quakenbush, Josh Gonzales, and Brayden Roberson. Their most impressive feature, however, may be their dominance over common opponents, having handily defeated both Oceanside (42-6) and Torrey Pines (36-0). Rancho Bernardo’s success orbits around the phenomenal play of sophomore Gaige Weddle. The Palomar League's total yards leader (2,018), Weddle is a true dual-threat, ranking 2nd in the league in passing (1,496 yards) and 3rd in rushing (522 yards). Defensively, the Broncos are anchored by the section's second-leading tackler, Gavin Valencia, who has a staggering 104 total tackles. Kicker Enzo Flores is also a major weapon, ranking 2nd in the section with nine made field goals.
This game will be a strategic chess match. Rancho Bernardo’s best chance is to let Weddle work his magic, control the clock with his legs, and rely on their defense, led by Valencia, to create stops. For Mission Hills, the goal is to use their balanced, efficient attack to build an early lead, forcing the Broncos to become one-dimensional and rely solely on Weddle's arm while playing from behind. While the singular brilliance of Gaige Weddle makes Rancho Bernardo dangerous enough to win any single game, the sheer balance, precision, and proven dominance of Mission Hills against a tougher schedule makes the Grizzlies the clear favorite to defend their home turf and secure a statement victory heading into the postseason.
Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography
The Coastal League Showdown: Bishop's vs. Army-Navy
Our final spotlight shines on another clash of one-loss powerhouses, this time in the Coastal League, as the Bishop’s Knights (7-1) travel to face the Army-Navy Warriors (6-1). Both teams sport identical 1-1 league records, making this a critical pivot point for their championship hopes. The Knights bring a high-flying aerial assault, while the Warriors counter with a physically balanced and explosive offensive attack, setting the stage for a classic offensive duel with major playoff implications.
Bishop’s offense is a pass-first machine, averaging 37.3 points per game and led by one of the section's most productive quarterback-receiver tandems. Quarterback Cash Herrera, an Indiana commit, ranks 7th in the San Diego Section with 2,092 total yards, and his top target, Dane Larson, is the Coastal League's leading receiver with 753 yards. However, the Knights are not one-dimensional; their defense features a ball-hawking secondary led by Khai Agbayani, whose six interceptions rank 2nd in the entire section. Army-Navy counters with a slightly more explosive offense, averaging 38.0 points per game, and boasts the league's most versatile weapon in Landon Schrom, who leads the Coastal League in both total touchdowns (10) and kickoff return average (44.50). Their defense is anchored by a ferocious pass rush, featuring Jonah Tua, who ranks in the top 10 in the section with 7.5 sacks.
The key matchup will be Bishop’s offensive line against Army-Navy’s relentless pass rush, led by Jonah Tua. If the Knights can give Herrera time, he and Larson can dissect any secondary. However, if Tua and the Warriors' front can consistently pressure the pocket, it could disrupt the timing of Bishop's entire offense. The battle for turnovers will also be critical, pitting Bishop's ball-hawking DB Khai Agbayani against an Army-Navy offense that protects the ball.
The common opponent factor adds significant intrigue: Army-Navy dominated La Jolla Country Day 37-9, a team that narrowly defeated Bishop’s 28-26. That decisive result, combined with the Warriors’ home-field advantage and their multifaceted offensive threat in Landon Schrom, gives them a slight edge in what should be a tightly contested battle from start to finish. Bishop's will need a flawless performance from their star quarterback to walk out of Carlsbad with a victory.
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