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
No. 2 Long Beach Poly (4-4) vs. No. 8 Millikan (2-6)
Where, when: Millikan High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: The Moore League football title has come down to Long Beach Poly vs. Millikan for six of the last seven seasons. Long Beach Poly was off last week but outscored Lakewood and Wilson by a combined score of 99-0 in its first two league games. Millikan is also undefeated in league after a close win, 32-28, over Lakewood and a 60-14 blowout of Jordan. Poly comes into this game with more momentum. Millikan’s breakthrough victory over Poly, 53-40, came at home in 2024. The Rams are hosting this year’s Nike rivalry game at DeHaven Stadium. Poly’s win over Millikan in 2023 was in overtime, and the Jackrabbits had to stop Millikan’s 2-point conversion at the end to pull out a 24-22 victory last season. This year’s game should be competitive, but Poly’s defense, led by seniors Sevelino Taliauli (Colorado State commit), Donte Wright Jr. (Miami commit) and Julius Johnson (UCLA commit), should cause enough havoc to keep it on track for winning the Moore League title for the first time since 2023.
Winner: Long Beach Poly
No. 1 St. John Bosco (6-2) vs. Servite (3-5)
Where, when: Orange Coast College, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: St. John Bosco is coming off a 21-7 loss at home to Santa Margarita. The Braves’ only score, a 28-yard touchdown catch by sophomore receiver Kuika Moaalii, came early in the first quarter. Servite is coming off a 38-15 loss to Mater Dei. Junior running back Parker Covin scored two touchdowns. Bosco’s offense, which is led by junior quarterback Koa Malau’ulu, will look to score early and often and should bounce back with a victory over the Friars, who are winless in the Trinity League.
Winner: St. John Bosco
No. 3 Downey (5-3) vs. Cerritos (2-6)
Where, when: Gahr High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Downey stayed undefeated in Gateway League play last week with a 45-0 win over La Mirada. Cerritos lost last week to La Serna 57-7. Downey’s strong running game should give it a decisive edge, but Cerritos’ passing game is underrated. This penultimate league game will help Downey gear up for next week’s game against La Serna that should decide the Gateway League title.
Winner: Downey
Downey’s Max Acosta runs for a touchdown during a Gateway League high school football game against Warren at Warren High School in Downey, California, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
No. 4 Warren (5-3) vs. La Mirada (5-3)
Where, when: La Mirada High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Warren defeated Mayfair 50-21 last week while La Mirada lost to Downey 45-0. Both teams are 1-2 in the Gateway League and both have lost to La Serna and Downey. They still have a chance to earn the league’s third and final automatic playoff berth. Warren’s losses were more competitive against their common opponents, and Warren has shown the potential for a more explosive offense. It could be close, but the Bears should have the edge.
Winner: Warren
California (3-5) vs. No. 5 Paramount (7-1)
Where, when: Paramount High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: California lost to Gahr 41-14 last week. Paramount defeated Bellflower 30-20 last week to take sole possession of first place in the Mid-Cities League. Junior running back Derrick Jackson and junior receiver Mylan Williams both scored touchdowns. If Paramount gets another steady performance from Jackson and Williams, they should move closer to the outright league title under first-year coach Malik James.
Winner: Paramount
Mission Viejo (6-1) vs. No. 6 Los Alamitos (0-8)
Where, when: Los Alamitos High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Mission Viejo had a 27-26 win over Yorba Linda on Oct. 8. The Diablos’ game against San Clemente last week was canceled due a wildfire. Senior tight end Luke Karby has a team-high 31 catches for 530 yards and seven touchdowns. Los Alamitos was eliminated from playoff contention by a 27-7 loss to Edison last week. Mission Viejo is averaging 45.7 points per game and is trending toward another Division 1 playoff appearance.
Winner: Mission Viejo
St. Pius’ Le’Allyn Monroe (5) carries the ball against Ventura during the CIF-SS Division 6 football championship game at St.Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
St. Paul (1-7) vs. No. 7 St. Pius X-St. Matthias (2-6)
Where, when: St. Pius X-St. Matthias High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: St. Paul is coming off a 35-21 loss to St. Francis, but it always give St. Pius X-St. Matthias a great game. A prime example was St. Pius’ 35-34 overtime win against St. Paul last season. Swordsmen senior running back/receiver Jace Levario has 997 total yards of offense and seven touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Romere Jones led the Warriors to a 25-13 win against Paraclete, and they need another victory to stay in the Angelus League title race. If St. Pius senior running back Le’Allyn Monroe succeeds on the ground, the Warriors will move closer to making the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season under coach Devah Thomas.
Winner: St. Pius X-St. Matthias
Jordan (0-8) vs. No. 9 Lakewood (3-6)
Where, when: Lakewood High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Jordan lost to Millikan 60-14 last week. Lakewood is feeling good after a 21-14 win over Wilson last week. This is the Lancers’ regular-season finale. The Lancers defeated Jordan 33-2 last year and could be in line for a similar margin of victory in this meeting.
Winner: Lakewood
Norwalk (1-7) vs. No. 10 Bellflower (5-3)
Where, when: Bellflower High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Norwalk lost to Santa Fe 42-3 last week while Bellflower defeated Santa Fe 40-33 on Oct. 2. Senior running back Erick Dominguez leads the Lancers with 410 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Bellflower is coming off a competitive loss, 30-20, to Paramount in the Mid-Cities League. Bellflower needs one more league victory to clinch one of the league’s three automatic playoff berths. Buccaneers senior quarterback E’Lacion Saxton has thrown 25 touchdown passes. If he throws a few more this week, Bellflower will be in the playoffs for the second year in a row under coach Keith Miller.
Winner: Bellflower
Valley Christian Defenders Graham Lunzer (7) runs the ball for a gain of yards as he is tackled by St. Anthony Saints defenders in the first half of a prep football game at Valley Christian High School in Cerritos on Friday, September 18, 2026. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)
Western Christian (7-1) vs. No. 11 Valley Christian (5-2-1)
Where, when: Valley Christian High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: The teams are tied for second place in the Ironwood League at 2-1. The winner of this matchup will secure an automatic playoff berth. Western Christian senior running back Donovan Ramirez has 883 of the team’s 2,672 rushing yards. Valley Christian’s defense, which is led by senior linebacker Sam Melcher, must stop the run to be victorious. Valley Christian senior quarterback Graham Lunzer has 33 total touchdowns, and his dual-threat ability could be the difference.
Winner: Valley Christian
No. 14 Compton (8-1) vs. Centennial (5-3)
Where, when: Compton College, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Compton is looking to secure the Hub City League title outright. The Tarbabes have dominated in league play, winning their first three games by a combined 136-20. Senior running back Edward Rivera, who is committed to Sacramento State, scored five touchdowns in his team’s 50-14 win over Cabrillo. Cabrillo beat Centennial 33-28 on Oct. 9. Compton, which has already secured an automatic playoff berth, has the clear advantage and should win handily.
Winner: Compton