2017 Top California Games of Week 1 with Preview

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

In recent years, the road to a California state title has run through top teams in the Trinity League, like St. John Bosco and Mater Dei, in the south or De La Salle in the north. With the preseason rankings (MaxPreps), it looks like fans can expect a similar outcome but with some teams on the rise ready to challenge. All of it adds up to another amazing season of California high school football.

After St. John Bosco lost their second game of the year on Oct. 21 to Mater Dei on the road, the Braves started clicking on all cylinders. The Braves took no prisoners in the playoffs getting revenge on Mater Dei 42-28 in the southern section finals before rolling De La Salle 56-33 for state bragging rights. When the Braves kickoff their 2017 season, as the No. 3 ranked team in the nation, they will be tested on the road against St. Thomas Aquinas, the No. 2 ranked team in Florida, No. 17 nationally. Should the Braves leave the unfriendly confines of the Raiders in Fort Lauderdale with a victory, the rest of California will have been put on notice. On Bosco’s offensive squad, look for running back Demetrious Flowers (Arizona State), quarterback Re-al Mitchell (Iowa State), and receiver Josh Delgado and Devon Cooley to lead the charge in Florida. Bosco’s defense is loaded with Saturday players; take a pick in defensive back Level Price, linebacker Spencer Gilbert, defensive backs Stephan Blaylock, Chris Steele, Paul Edwards, and Jaiden Woodbey, and linebacker Kedron Williams.

The season kicks off on Thursday night in Agoura Hills with a neutral site game between Calabasas and Dorsey. Dorsey can start the season off right with what some may consider an upset win despite the wealth of talent on the team.

There are plenty of games for fans to try to catch both on TV and in person on Friday. Set the DVR for St. John Bosco against St. Thomas Aquinas and Vista Murrieta at Colquitt County (GA). The Broncos have the tough task of heading to Moultrie to face one of the perennial top squads in the Peach State.

*All rankings are from MaxPreps, which seem to change day to day. Use as a guide, not an absolute.  

2017 Top California High School Football Games

August 24

No. 35 Calabasas vs. Dorsey at Agoura High School

Calabasas is once again loaded with talent across the field, especially at the skill positions. Watch for Arizona State linebacker commit Reggie Hughes, Arizona defensive tackle commit Mykee Irving, and Colorado State defensive end commit Nahe Sulunga for Calabasas. Dorsey has two explosive running backs in 2019 talent Charles Mincy Jr. and 2020 rising star JoJuan Collins. Isaiah Smalls, an Oregon State commit, and Tim Mosely can both play defensive end and tight end. Watch to see this duo impact the game.

August 25

No. 2 St. John Bosco at St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) – No. 2 ranked in Florida

No. 20 Pittsburg at No. 3 Centennial

Centennial has five-star quarterback Tanner McKee back and young weapons ready to step up.

No. 5 Serra at No. 11 Narbonne

What a tough matchup for both teams to start the season. Should be a lot of big hits and highlight reel plays with the clock rolls triple-zero.

No. 8 Edison (Huntington Beach) vs. No. 74 Tesoro

Edison begins their quest for another deep run into the playoffs after falling to eventual Division-II champs San Clemente in the semifinal round. Two very talented quarterbacks squaring off; Griffin O’Connor (Yale) with Edison and Chase Petersen with Tesoro.

No. 51 Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) at No. 9 Chaminade (West Hills)

Top high school talent on both rosters makes this showdown one of the best in the state. How will Chaminade scheme for five-star 2019 defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, and how will Oaks Christian try to slow down the duo of 2019 quarterback Ryan Stevens and 2018 Stanford four-star receiver commit Michael Wilson?

No. 19 Cathedral Catholic at Del Oro (Loomis)

Del Oro made it to the championship game against San Clemente in 2016 before falling 22-17. Can they get back to the title game in 2017?

No. 24 Vista Murrieta at Colquitt County (GA) – No. 11 ranked in Georgia

No. 68 La Habra at No. 25 Upland

Upland has a load of talent with players to watch for like Jaden Dedman, Shamar Whetstone, and Simon Samarzich. For La Habra, watch for rising running back Jacobah “Kobah” Fuamatu, slot/corner Clark Phillips, and quarterback Zach Fogel.

No. 27 Norco at No. 67 Servite

Perhaps two highly undervalued teams in the state. A lot of top talent at key positions. On defense, Norco tackle Jarrett Bell and Randell Turner will try to stop play-makers like receiver KJ Trujilo and tight end Spencer Lytle.

August 26

No. 38 Serra at No. 12 St. Mary’s (Stockton)

*RNG covered games

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Photo credit: LA Times; Re-al Mitchell vs. Mater Dei (2016)