The Union-Tribune’s John Maffei picks Friday’s biggest high school football games. All games at 7 p.m., unless noted:
Lincoln at (8) San Marcos
When: 7:15 p.m.
Preview: Lincoln is 1-4 but still ranked No. 92 in the state. Lincoln’s only win is 59-0 over Lawndale Leuzinger and there are losses to top-flight teams Carson, Oxnard Pacifica, Mission Viejo and Las Vegas Arbor View. Andre Jackson and Zavier Cruz have combined to throw for 1,081 yards and 14 touchdowns. Darryen Bridges and Jaeyeion Allen are having big seasons, but the team has rushed for just 554 yards and been outscored 199-158. … San Marcos (3-1) is ranked No. 56 in the state. The Knights lost to Temecula Great Oak, but bounced back with wins over Poway and San Pasqual. Jordan Roa, a transfer from Lincoln, has thrown for 808 yards and nine TDs. Ezekiel McIntyre has 26 catches for 360 yards and six TDs. Mo Henderson has rushed 63 times for 462 yards. … Lincoln beat San Marcos 49-35 last season in the playoffs. Roa didn’t play in that game for Lincoln.
Prediction: San Marcos 35, Lincoln 24
Rancho Buena Vista at Canyon Hills
Preview: RBV (2-3) has outscored its opponents 132-120. Van Piercy has thrown for 947 yards and rushed for 96. He has accounted for 10 touchdowns. The Longhorns have thrown for 848 yards and rushed for 768, with Ean Perfect accounting for 439 of those rushing yards. … Canyon Hills (1-3) has been outscored 134-72, giving up 50 points to La Jolla Country Day and Mira Mesa. Led by Taylon Sheriff, the Rattlers have passed for 421 yards and rushed for 409.
Prediction: Rancho Buena Vista 37, Canyon Hills 24
Chula Vista at Crawford
Preview: Chula Vista (1-4) got its first win of the season last week, beating Olympian. The Spartans have some weapons in Isaiah Orta, Asher and Elijah Richardson and Jaylen Clark. … Crawford (2-2) has losses to Monte Vista and Santana with wins over San Ysidro and Mountain Empire. The Colts are led by Giovanni Garcia, Shamar Warren and Damian Monroy.
Prediction: Chula Vista 35, Crawford 14
Madison at Eastlake
Preview: After a season-opening loss to Grossmont, Madison (3-1) has won three in a row, beating San Diego, Vista and Sweetwater. Xander Minnich, Adrian Sola, Kaleo Dolfo and Mason Simmons key the Warhawks’ attack. …. Eastlake (5-0) hasn’t started a season 6-0 since winning 11 in a row in 2010 in an 11-1 season. The Titans attack on the ground behind David Branco, who has 85 carries for 974 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Prediction: Eastlake 34, Madison 21
Patrick Henry at Mt. Carmel
When: 7:15 p.m.
Preview: Patrick Henry (4-0) is led by quarterback Madin Gardini, who has thrown for 1,143 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 373 yards. Kymani Joseph has 20 catches for 465 yards and six TDs. … Mt. Carmel (1-4) got its first win of the season last week, beating Fallbrook 17-10 in overtime. Jayden Llantada, Tamar Diggs and Kobe Anousinh are the offensive weapons.
Preview: Patrick Henry 35, Mt. Carmel 18
Olympian at Hoover
When: 6:30 p.m.
Preview: Olympian (1-4) has thrown just 63 passes for 281 yards. … Hoover is 3-2 thanks in part to the playof of quarterback Hezekiah Manuel, who has thrown 146 passes for 1,578 yards and rushed for 530 yards. He has accounted for 25 total touchdowns already this season.
Prediction: Hoover 35, Olympian 21
Bishop’s at La Jolla Country Day
Preview: In four games, Bishop’s (2-2) has scored just 86 points, but has given up only 65, inclding a 21-7 win last week over Chino Don Lugo. The Knights have thrown for 826 yards, but have rushed just 60 times for 168 yards. … LJCD (3-2) has been hit hard by injuries at the QB position, using four signal-callers already. Still, the Torreys have passed for 919 yards while running for 465.
Prediction: Bishop’s 21, La Jolla Country Day 13
Grossmont at West Hills
Preview: Pass-happy Grossmont (4-1) is led by Tyler Holmes, who has thrown for 991 yards passing and rushed for 502 while accounting for 17 TDs. Jonah Martinez leads Grossmont’s receivers with 15 catches for 279 yards. … West Hills (4-0) is off to its best start since going 11-0 in 2021. Quarterback Evin Dill, who has 855 yards of total offense, is West Hills’ leader.
Prediction: Grossmont 31, West Hills 21
Sweetwater at University City
Preview: After an opening-week win, Sweetwater (2-4) has lost four in a row. Faisal Maham is the offensive leader, rushing 92 times for 772 yards. … University City (2-2) has lost two in a row. The team attacks behind quarterback Thomas Dietrich, who has 790 yards and nine touchdowns.
Prediction: University City 34, Sweetwater 20
(2) Cathedral Catholic at (3) Granite Hills
Preview: Cathedral Catholic opened with losses to Orange Lutheran (ranked No. 11 in California) and Chandler (ranked No. 3 in Arizona). But the Dons (2-2) had a 63-0 win over Mater Dei Catholic and beat Helix 24-17 last week. Cathedral Catholic is ranked No. 47 in the state. Quarterback Koa Smith-Mayall, receiver Isaac Cook and running back Honor Fa’alve-Johnson are Cathedral Catholic’s offensive leaders. … After losing its opener to Oceanside, Granite Hills (3-1) has beaten Mater Dei Catholic, Mission Hills and Los Alamitos and is ranked No. 31 in the state. San Jose State commit Zac Benitez is Granite Hills’ offensive leader, throwing for 920 yards and 11 touchdowns. Courtney Miller-Thompson has 32 catches for 478 yards and eight TDs. Gage Spalding has rushed for 304 yards. … There is a common opponent this season: Mater Dei Catholic. The Dons beat Mater Dei Catholic 62-0, and the Eagles won 38-31…. Cathedral Catholic beat Granite Hills 40-30 last season.
Prediction: Cathedral Catholic 35, Granite Hills 31
Last week: 8-2
Season: 40-10