The start of the 2022 San Diego high school football season is here, every week our host Christian Pedersen will jot down some quick takes for each game and every team in the section.
Here is the Week 1 edition.
Thursday
Mount Miguel vs Sweetwater
(MM) - I want to see how quick Jeremiah Castillo and Davian McGowan can get going this season, both have had varsity reps and could be ready for breakout year.
(SW) - I'm looking at Xavier Crews, assuming that he inherits the full workload at running back his numbers should be huge.
La Jolla vs Bishop’s
(LJ) - Was in the finals last year and has decent depth returning. After several years of QB stability with Jackson Stratton its time for a new QB1 to take the lead.
(B) - Senior QB Will Fierro has some strong skill position players around him, gotta start scoring right away.
Palo Verde Valley vs Calexico
(PVV) - The Yellowjackets return a ton of last year's championship team, curious to see how dominantly they can start out the gate.
(CL) - Im curious what QB David Esquer can do.
Friday
O’Farrell vs Classical Academy
(O) - Lots of youth got playing time last year, time to see if a new coach and baptism by fire combines for some dubs.
(CA) - They are equally as hungry for a bounce back year and need to avoid this being a trap game.
Mt Carmel vs Central
(MC) - Graduation took the name brand talent but this team can easily be just as good if not better than last year.
(CU) - All eyes on Sr QB Damian Rodriguez and what he can do this season.
San Ysidro vs Kearny
(SY) - They made program history last year and are becoming a team to beat in D5, this could be a big momentum win.
(K) - Komets have a tough schedule this year, is Week 1 too early to be must win?
Ramona vs Christian
(R) - Lots of contributors graduated, lest see how quickly Adrian Enriquez can takeover the workload.
(C) - Joey Merritt and Jake Davila are the combo to watch, could be massive this year.
Vista vs Saint Paul
(V) - Derek McClintic is going to be tasked with leading the offensive production.
Grossmont vs West Hills
(G) - Down in D2 now this will be a good test to see if they are a 'team to watch for' at this level.
(WH) - No doubt the Woulfpack is salty about last year ending the way it did so expect them to be out to make news in the opener.
University City vs Fallbrook
(UC) - I see the players are mad that we listed them as 'In the Hunt' instead of a 'team to beat' this will be a good benchmark for them to clear in the early season.
(F) - The Warriors have been inching closer to the finals and they need to stay close with UC to show they are continuing that progress.
Monte Vista vs Maranatha Christian
(MV) - Last year was rough, this year will be better.
(MC) - Time for new names and faces to rise to the front and lead the offense.
Westview vs Olympian
(WV) - Westview has a QB I like in Ryan Herrod, their schedule is tough so every game is going to be a must win.
(O) - The Eagles are on the up, this would be the first step down that path.
Victory Christian vs North Valley Military Institute
(VC) - I want to see Isaiah Tabares established early in the year.
Oceanside vs San Clemente
(O) - Down now in D2 but with no easy opponent in Week 1, the final score here could be an important strength of schedule variable down the road.
Brawley vs Scripps Ranch
(B) - It's all up to getting Ethan Gutierrez comfortable in the pocket and then this team is deadly.
(SR) - Jax Leatherwood is now an established elite QB, time for him to do it with a new receiving core.
Francis Parker vs Polytechnic
(FP) - Going to be a lot of Christopher Williams all over the field this season.
Poway vs Granite Hills
(P) - Look to Dylan Curry and Connor Rath to lead the production early in the season.
(GH) - Huge senior class, curious to see if they can rise to the occasion.
Rancho Buena Vista vs Castle Park
(RBV) - Sr QB Connor Underhill has the weapons to get it done this season, starting out hot will really help.
(CP) - Sergio Cobos and Jalen Hopkins look to lead a resurgent Trojans.
Hoover vs Mountain Empire
(H) - The Cardinals look to get a lot of production from younger players including SirDarius Autry and senior leadership from Deshawn Davis.
(ME) - Corey Vann is the man to watch for early in the season here as he looks to build off the reps he got sophomore year.
Montgomery vs Coronado
(M) - Loaded senior class on a mission, this will be a good test fir them.
(C) - Connor Little and Elias Valdivia are two part of the offense Im looking at early to see what they can produce.
Point Loma vs Santana
(PL) - Some hype back on campus this year for the Pointer for the first time in a minute.
(S) - Santana always starts out the year strong and this should be a solid test for them.
Morse vs Bonita Vista
(M) - If things are going well you should hear Damarion Wright and Johnny Mosti getting their names called a lot.
(BV) - Dante Scott is an electric playmaker at wideout, lets see what the senior can do.
Clairemont vs Escondido Charter
(C) - A focused and motivated Chieftains look to be the bounce back team in SD this year.
(EC) - John Sctaes is one of the returning names you need to watch for on offense.
El Capitan vs Canyon Hills
(EC) - Look to the defense and returners like Dom Denha to be important early in the year.
(CH) - The Rattlers defense can help them out big time in this one.
Otay Ranch vs Madison
(OR) - They looked good in the scrimmage, time to find out if they are contender or pretender.
(M) - Tons of talent inside and out, look out for Jake Jackson.
Hilltop vs Valhalla
(H) - They have some size, time to see if they can use it correctly.
(V) New coach new look, every week their going to improve.
Mission Bay vs El Cajon Valley
(MB) - The QB question we had preseason might have been answered in the scrimmages, time to find out for real thought.
(EC) - Kal-el Gordon is one of the premier rushers in the section, can he get the Braves over the top this year?
Vincent Memorial vs San Diego
(VM) - All about getting Jacabo Elias established early.
(SD) - Can the Nebraska offense from the 90's work in high school football today?
San Pasqual vs Orange Glen
(SP) - They are on the record saying they are low key out for blood on this one.
(OG) - Jafet Castro is a player to look for on offense.
Saint Augustine vs El Camino
(SA) - How quickly can the new coaching staff turn things around.
(EC) - Can they come out early and set the tempo?
Holtville vs Southwest El Centro
(HV) - Lets see what Jr RB Seth Iten can produce this season.
(SE) - Jr QB Logan Jungers is the central piece to the teams success this year.
Eastlake vs Apple Valley
(EL) - They should rely heavily on Parker Patterson for offensive production early.
Valley Center vs Santa Fe Christian
(VC) - Can Colton Paxton pull off an early road win to open the season?
(SFC) - Down a little from graduation but always a team to fear.
Mira Mesa vs Helix
(MM) - They are always the underdog in this one but getting less so every year.
(H) - The defending champs has an experienced QB with Ryand Jessee and should have another great year.
Tesoro vs La Costa Canyon
(LCC) - They look to avenge a season opening loss against Tesoro from last year.
Southwest San Diego vs Tri-City Christian
(SD) - The Raiders are back to Varsity action after not having a team last year.
(TCC) - The Eagles look to build off of youth getting playing time last season.
Capital Christian vs Lincoln
(L) - If this defense is as talented as we think it is this is as good a Week 1 test as there is.
Steele Canyon vs Heritage
(SC) - Give Major Gibbons just a little help and this team could be something to fear.
Torrey Pines vs Ayala
(TP) - New coach this year, will be interesting to watch.
Rancho Bernardo vs San Marcos
(RB) - Once they get certainty at QB they should be a tough team to beat.
(SM) - Christian Ethridge and Emitt Hansen will need to start producing early.
Saturday
Crawford vs Mar Vista
(C) - This is a big senior class for them talent wise, lots of names to know.
(MV) - They seem to want to be in the conversation for team to beat in D5 and this would be the right to play to start the year.
Del Norte vs Escondido
(DN) - Im really curious about Ty Olsen at wide receiver.
(E) - Its a tough way to start a season but it will be a good test for them.
Mater Dei Catholic vs Cathedral Catholic
(MD) - Every non league game is a crazy must watch game.
(CC) - They have the pieces as usual but need to come out the gate strong.
Mission Hills vs Chaparral
(MH) - Always lethal.
Desert Christian Academy vs Calipatria
(CA) - Calipatria is capabale of an upset here.
Temecula Prep vs Army-Navy
(AN) - If Ratumana Bulabalavu can dominate they can win.
La Jolla Country Day vs Chula Vista
(LJ) - The receivers are there, if they can find a QB to get it to them they should be a team to watch.
(CV) - It need to be the Jacob Pedroza show this year.