The teams are listed by their spot in this week’s Press-Telegram high school football Top 10 rankings.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
GAME OF THE WEEK
Santa Margarita (7-0) vs. No. 1 St. John Bosco (6-1)
Where, when: St. John Bosco High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Santa Margarita is coming off a 27-3 victory over Servite. Eagles sophomore running back Adrian Petero ran for 98 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. However, junior quarterback Fletch Palmer threw two interceptions. St. John Bosco is coming off a 28-14 victory over Orange Lutheran, with junior quarterback Koa Malau’ulu throwing two touchdowns. Sophomore receiver Kuika Moaalii had four catches for 118 yards and one touchdown. Junior receiver DJ Tubbs also had four receptions for 59 yards and scored one touchdown. If Bosco’s offense can remain balanced with senior running back Maliq Allen and find ways to get Moaalii and Tubbs behind the defense, the Braves will win and claim sole possession of first place in the Trinity League.
Winner: St. John Bosco
No. 3 Downey (4-3) vs. No. 8 La Mirada (5-2)
Where, when: La Mirada High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Downey is coming off a 46-18 victory over Warren. The Vikings ran for 263 yards and five touchdowns on 32 carries. A strong running game is always a recipe for success. La Mirada is coming off a 56-19 loss against La Serna. Downey won last year’s game 67-7. The Matadores are a better team this season. However, if Downey sophomore quarterback Chase Watkins unleashes his dual-threat ability like he did last week when he ran for 92 yards and one touchdown on six carries, the Vikings should remain undefeated in Gateway League play.
Winner: Downey
Lakewood (2-6) vs. No. 5 Wilson (2-6)
Where, when: Wilson High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Lakewood is coming off a 32-28 loss against Millikan. Wilson is coming off a 44-0 loss against Long Beach Poly on Oct. 10. Both teams were blown out by Poly, with Lakewood suffering a 55-0 loss on Oct. 2. Wilson had several chances in the red zone to come away with points against Jackrabbits and only trailed 15-0 at halftime. Lakewood trailed 43-0 at halftime. Wilson won last year’s game 23-0 and, despite similar final scores, played better for longer against Poly. If the Bruins can establish junior running back Jemel Grigsby and junior receiver Kyle Harris early, they should be able to outlast the Lancers.
Winner: Wilson
Wilson’s Jemel Grigsby (10) races down the field as the Bruins take on Lakewood in Lakewood, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
No. 9 Bellflower (5-2) vs. No. 6 Paramount (6-1)
Where, when: Paramount High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: This is shaping up to be the de facto Mid-Cities League championship game. Both teams are 2-0 in league play. Bellflower is coming off a 47-10 victory over California. Paramount is coming off a 55-28 victory over Santa Fe on Oct. 9. The Pirates’ result in that game is a clue to who has the most momentum going into this game. Bellflower defeated Santa Fe 40-33 on Oct. 2. The Buccaneers’ margin of victory against a common league opponent was seven points. The Pirates won by 27 points. All indicators point to a tough matchup, but Paramount, especially at home, should win.
Winner: Paramount
Mayfair (2-5) vs. No. 7 Warren (4-3)
Where, when: Warren High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Mayfair is coming off a 33-31 loss against Cerritos. The Monsoons allowed more than 400 passing yards, and Warren’s pass game might be even more explosive. Warren is coming off a 46-18 loss against Downey. Bears senior quarterback Jordan Malikin has thrown 26 touchdown passes this season. Both teams are 0-2 in Gateway League play. The winner will still have a chance to finish third in the league standings and claim the league’s final automatic playoff berth.
Winner: Warren
Cabrillo (3-4) vs. No. 10 Compton (7-1)
Where, when: Compton High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Cabrillo is coming off a 33-28 win over Compton Centennial in the program’s Hub City League opener. Jaguars senior quarterback Fernando Leanos threw five touchdowns. Compton is coming off a 56-0 win over Compton Early College. Tarbabes junior quarterback Donnie Johnson III threw three touchdowns. If Compton can establish an explosive run game with senior running back Edward Rivera, who had an 81-yard run last week, and limit Cabrillo’s emerging pass game, the Tarbabes should win this showdown for first place in the Hub City League.
Winner: Compton