Previews and predictions for the top high school football games in the Long Beach area this week. The teams are listed by their ranking in the Press-Telegram Top 10.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 8 Millikan (0-2) vs. No. 4 Downey (0-2)
Where, when: Downey HS, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: This is a game between two teams ranked in the Press-Telegram Top 10. Millikan is coming off a 28-7 loss to Loyola on the road last week. The Rams scored only 21 points in their first two games this season. Downey is coming off a 33-23 loss at Capistrano Valley. The Vikings showed improvement from their season-opening 24-7 loss to Long Beach Poly on Aug. 21. Downey has defeated Millikan the past two seasons. The Vikings won 55-7 last season and 69-68 in 2024. This game will be a battle between sophomore quarterbacks. Millikan’s Jonah Tuaniga is a second-year starter. He completed 9 of 15 passes for 109 yards against Loyola. Downey’s Chase Watkins is a first-year starter who last week completed 8 of 12 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by a 75-yard strike to senior receiver Damani Porras. This could be a breakout game for Millikan’s offense, but Downey will have home field advantage for the second straight year. The Vikings’ balanced offense should lift them to their first victory this season.
Winner: Downey
No. 1 St. John Bosco (1-1) vs. Pittsburg (1-0)
Where, when: Pittsburg HS, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: St. John Bosco is coming off a 45-25 victory over Roman Catholic of Philadelphia last week. The Braves scored 31 points in the second quarter to build a comfortable 38-7 lead at halftime. Senior running back Maliq Allen, the Press-Telegram Boys Athlete of the Week, ran for 139 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Allen also had two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown. Pittsburg is coming off a 40-7 victory against Monterey Trail. The Pirates ran for 233 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. If Bosco can limit Pittsburg’s running game and Allen runs for at least 100 yards, the Braves will improve to 2-1.
Winner: St. John Bosco
Long Beach Poly sophomore running back Elijah Dawson (6) carries against Yorba Linda in a non-league game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday August 28, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
No. 2 Long Beach Poly (1-1) vs. Tustin (1-1)
Where, when: Tustin HS, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Long Beach Poly is coming off a 30-13 loss to Yorba Linda last week. The Jackrabbits committed 17 penalties for 145 yards in their final game at Veterans Stadium. Poly knows it must play a clean game this week to avoid the same fate against a quality Tustin team. Tustin has been feast or famine this season with junior quarterback Ayden Edwards sidelined due to injury. The Tillers suffered a 17-0 loss to San Clemente on Aug. 21 but bounced back with a 35-0 victory against Foothill last week. Poly beat Tustin 28-27 last season, but the win was forfeited due to an ineligible player. It could be another close game, but Poly, which is led by senior Donte Wright (Miami commit), should be motivated to avoid a 1-2 start.
Winner: Long Beach Poly
Serra (1-1) vs. No. 3 Los Alamitos (0-2)
Where, when: Los Alamitos HS, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Serra is coming off a 49-12 victory over Hamilton. Cavaliers senior running back AJ McBean ran for 135 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries. Los Alamitos is coming off a 31-15 loss to Huntington Beach in which it struggled to consistently stop the run. The Griffins were led by San Diego State commit Kamden Tillis with 89 yards on 13 carries. Until Los Alamitos improves play at quarterback or becomes a dominant run team, the Griffins will likely struggle in nonleague games. If Serra, which is averaging 278 rushing yards per game, continues that trend, the Cavaliers will hand Los Alamitos a third consecutive loss to start the season.
Winner: Serra
Bishop Alemany (0-2) vs. No. 9 Compton (2-0)
Where, when: Compton HS, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Bishop Alemany has started the season with losses to Calabasas and Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks. Compton has wins against Jordan and Orange Vista. Edward Rivera (Sacramento State commit) scored four touchdowns for Compton in a 28-21 victory over Orange Vista last wee. He amassed 268 all-purpose yards (151 rushing, 53 receiving, 64 punt return). If Rivera is able to get going against Alemany, Compton will win its home opener and earn the program’s best nonleague victory in decades.
Winner: Compton
Huntington Beach (2-0) vs. No. 10 Wilson (0-2)
Where, when: Wilson HS, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Huntington Beach has quality nonleague victories over Millikan and Los Alamitos. Ohio State quarterback commit Brady Edmunds has thrown for 606 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Wilson is coming off a 63-0 loss to JSerra. The Bruins, who are led by senior quarterback Logan Trafas and junior receiver Kyle Harris, gained only 107 yards of total offense. Wilson will no doubt play better in its home opener, which will include celebrating the school’s 100th year. But Edmunds and his receiving corps, which is led by Arizona State commit Dylin Bruce and North Carolina commit Skylar Robinson, will prove to be too much to handle for four quarters.
Winner: Huntington Beach
La Mirada (2-0) vs. Bellflower (1-1)
Where, when: Bellflower HS, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: La Mirada is coming off a 38-0 victory over Norwalk last week. Bellflower suffered a 28-24 loss at Trabuco Hills but has played a more competitive nonleague schedule in the first two games. Bellflower freshman receiver Keondre Smith has 24 receptions for 417 yards and two touchdowns. He has caught the bulk of senior quarterback Elacion Saxton’s 33 completions. Freshman running back Kevin Cuba III is averaging 130 rushing yards. La Mirada senior quarterback Isaac Cuevas has completed 30 of 42 passes for 592 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior running back Josiah Fregoso has 265 total yards (139 rushing, 126 receiving) and five touchdowns. This should be a hard-fought game, but Bellflower will not give up 20 points in the fourth quarter as it did against Trabuco Hills. That should allow the Buccaneers to protect their home field and defeat their old Suburban League rival.
Winner: Bellflower
Paramount (1-1) vs. Dominguez (2-0)
Where, when: Dominguez HS, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Paramount’s offense struggled in a 12-7 loss at home to Lakewood last week. Dominguez is coming off a 60-0 win over Hawthorne. The Dons scored 35 points in the first quarter. Dominguez senior quarterback Terrell Malone and senior running back Darrell Frazier combined for 157 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries. If Malone and Frazier have another big game, Dominguez’s offensive firepower might be too much for Paramount to handle.
Winner: Dominguez