Previews and predictions for the top high school football games in the area Thursday and Friday.
THURSDAY’S TOP GAMES
Wilson’s Brandon Cruz (12) tries to race around Long Beach Polys defense in Long Beach, CA, on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Wilson (8-1, 5-0) at Lakewood (6-3, 4-1), 7 p.m.: The No. 4-ranked Bruins have unfinished business against No. 6 Lakewood in the Moore League, according to coach Raudric Curtis. Wilson has clinched at least a share of the league title for the first time since 1991 but are seeking redemption after last season’s 44-7 loss to Lakewood. A Wilson win would secure the outright league title. This game will come down to quarterback play. Wilson senior quarterback Mack Cooper has thrown 19 touchdown passes and four interceptions. Lakewood senior quarterback Kade Casillas has thrown 13 touchdown passes and one interception. Casillas threw three touchdowns in last year’s victory over Wilson. Cooper had no touchdowns and an interception. Lakewood has a three-game win streak and is coming off a 3-0 victory over Millikan. Wilson has a five-game win streak and is coming off a 49-12 victory over Jordan. The Bruins have the better marquee victories; — 30-7 over Millikan and 22-21 over Poly — and that pedigree should carry them to an undefeated Moore League title.
The pick: Long Beach Wilson
Norwalk (9-0, 4-0) at Bellflower (7-2, 3-1), 7 p.m.: This is the Mid-Cities League title game between two schools separated by two miles. No. 9 Norwalk must win this game to secure an outright league title. If it loses, it has to share the league title with Bellflower and Gahr. Norwalk’s offense is led by senior running back Diego Cerritos, who has 1,237 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns, and senior running Daron Walker. who has 1,196 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. Bellflower’s top playmaker is freshman receiver Austin Miller, who has 1,071 total yards (559 rushing, 512 receiving) and 19 touchdowns (10 rushing, 8 receiving, 1 fumble recovery). Norwalk’s strong running game has the potential to wear down Bellflower over four quarters. If it does, the Lancers will enter the postseason with a 10-0 record.
The pick: Norwalk
FRIDAY’S TOP GAME
Mater Dei (6-2, 3-1) at St. John Bosco (9-0, 4-0), 7 p.m.: No. 1-ranked St. John Bosco needs to win this game to secure the outright Trinity League title. A loss means sharing the league title with Mater Dei and Santa Margarita. Sophomore quarterback Koa Malau’ulu is having a special season. The 6-foot-2 signal caller has completed 116 of 160 passes (72.5% completion rate) for 2,002 yards, 30 touchdowns and one interception. He is 0-2 in his high school career against Mater Dei. The Monarchs are led by senior quarterback Ryan Hopkins (Wisconsin commit), who has completed 112 of 186 passes (60.2% completion rate) for 1,722 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. The game is not Malau’ulu versus Hopkins. Both teams have top receiving corps. But Bosco’s defense, which has four shutouts, is allowing only 8.4 points per game compared to Mater Dei’s 18.8 points. That should be the difference in the game.
The pick: St. John Bosco
Mater Dei defensive back Chuck McDonald, right, breaks up a pass intended for St. John Bosco wide receiver Daniel Odom in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship football game in Long Beach on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
THURSDAY’S OTHER GAMES
Alpha League
Mission Viejo (8-1, 2-0) vs. Los Alamitos (8-1, 1-1) at Artesia High
Gateway League
Downey (8-1, 4-0) at Dominguez (6-3, 1-3)
Mayfair (3-6, 3-1) at La Mirada (4-5, 2-2)
Ironwood League
Valley Christian (6-3, 3-1) at Ontario Christian (0-9, 0-4)
Mid-Cities League
Lynwood (3-6, 1-3) at Compton Early College (2-7, 1-3)
Moore League
Cabrillo (1-8, 0-5) at Long Beach Jordan (1-8, 0-5)
Compton (4-5, 2-3) vs. Long Beach Poly (4-5, 4-1) at Veterans Stadium, 7 p.m.
605 League
Glenn (2-7, 0-2) vs. Cerritos (7-2, 2-0) at Gahr High
Artesia (4-5, 1-1) at Pioneer (3-6, 1-1)
FRIDAY’S OTHER GAMES
Angelus League
Bishop Alemany (1-8, 0-4) at St. Pius X-St. Matthias (3-6, 1-3)
Del Rey League
St. Anthony (2-7, 2-2) at Harvard-Westlake (3-6, 1-3)
Gateway League
Warren (2-7, 2-2) at Paramount (3-6, 0-4)
Mid-Cities League
Gahr (5-4, 3-1) at Firebaugh (1-8, 0-4)
Ocean League
Hawthorne (2-7, 1-2) at Centennial (3-6, 1-2)
Nonleague
Diego Rivera (1-7) at Rancho Dominguez (2-7), 4 p.m.