Top 10 Southern California high school football games to watch Week 2 (Aug. 31-Sept. 2): Mission Viejo awaits rematch with Long Beach Poly

Mission Viejo at Long Beach Poly and a plethora of exciting battles with out-of-state teams; Honor Bowl at Cathedral Catholic hosts three of Top 10 games

One of the best things about the pre-league portion of the high school football season is watching the best teams in any given state play the best teams from others. Especially for SoCal fans, who get to see more interstate games between elite teams than anyone – and get to see our top teams win a disproportionate amount of the time.

On that note, Week Two features as many interstate games involving California elites as any week in recent memory. That's the theme of this week's countdown, which is also very heavy in the San Diego Section, where the SoCal portion of the Honor Bowl takes place Friday and Saturday at Cathedral Catholic. 

• Schedule/tickets: 2023 SoCal Honor Bowl

The top game in Southern California this week is a rematch of one of the best games of 2022 between two Southern Section juggernauts.

FULL SECTION SCHEDULES: SOUTHERN | LA CITY | SAN DIEGO

Here are the top 10 games to watch this week (Aug. 31 - Sept. 2) throughout California. Numbers preceding teams refer to their placements in SBLive's California weekly Power 25.

TOP 10 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMES TO WATCH WEEK 2

(Games are 7 p.m. Friday unless noted)

10. #9 Lincoln (San Diego) at St. Bonaventure

Photo by Joe Bergman

When these teams met last year, it was an outstanding battle and a duel between two of the premier running backs in the state. Roderick Robinson II and Delon Thompson combined for six of the game's seven touchdowns and 630 yards of total offense as Lincoln eked out a 27-24 victory. This time, both star running backs are gone, and the teams look different. 

Lincoln is 2-0 with a pair of blowouts against good teams, and has a more pass-centric offense with 4-star Oregon commit Akili Smith Jr. thriving under center as a Hornet. After last week's loss against Pacifica (Oxnard), St. Bonaventure enters as a fairly heavy underdog this week, but the Seraphs could be ready for a breakout game as they still have lots of talent and it's still very early. Unlike last year, Lincoln is the team tasked with driving three counties away, and that could help St. Bonaventure find its footing.

9. Timpview (UT) at #11 Los Alamitos

Photo by Lance Smith

While it's yet to play another state-ranked or nationally-ranked team, new-look Los Al is off to a good start. The Griffins put up 62 points in Week Zero to beat Western and held La Serna to six points last week. They'll face a major test this week against Timpview, which is the third-ranked team in Utah and an incumbent top-100 team in the country after last year's state finals appearance. The Griffins have a clear edge over Timpview in terms of Division I talent, but will need to continue establishing chemistry quickly in order to secure a win this week.

8. Warren at La Serna

Photo by Connor Morrissette

La Serna has been knocking on the door of the Southern Section's upper ranks for a long time now. And it isn't afraid to schedule big-name opponents to test itself – or prove itself – against. Last week, for example, was a 25-6 loss against reigning Division 1 semifinalist Los Alamitos, which isn't an inspiring result but is a very respectable one. And last year, La Serna nearly upset Warren, playing the Bears down to a 32-26 finish. Friday against Warren brings a great opportunity for the Lancers to aim for a marquee win, even though they'll be the underdog to do so. 

Like La Serna, Warren was solid defensively last week but struggled to score against Serra. In fact, the Bears didn't score at all, losing 27-0 against a team they nearly beat last season. With its only other game so far coming against a team from American Samoa, Warren has a lot to prove on Friday in its biggest remaining non-league test.

7. #15 Santa Margarita at #20 Liberty (Bakersfield)

Photo by Joe Bergman

There was never a question that both of these teams would be very good once again in 2023. As both graduated tremendous senior classes, the question heading into the season was, just how good can they be? And that question remains after two weeks of play.

Two-time reigning Central Section champion Liberty is yet to be tested having cruised past Highland (Palmdale) and Ridgeview. Santa Margarita, on the other hand, has been tested twice with interesting results. In Week Zero, it defeated West (UT) by one point in a game that it was heavily favored in, and last week, it gave Corona Centennial a run for its money despite being the heavy underdog. Most would call Santa Margarita the clear favorite this week, but few would argue that it could go either way and should be a great game. Additionally, Santa Margarita quarterback James Johnson got injured early in the team's first game and hasn't returned yet, which creates another variable.

6. Brophy College Prep (Ariz.) at Cathedral Catholic, 7:30 p.m. Friday

Photo by Steven Silva

The 11th Honor Bowl never disappoints. This is one of three Top 10 games from the event held at Cathedral Catholic. The resurgent Dons host the primetime Friday against a perennial power from Arizona. Cathedral Catholic made a statement with a 55-14 opening win over Mater Dei Catholic, piling up 492 yards behind senior quarterback Jack Stevens (9 of 13, 200 yards, three TDs). The offense was still in full gear last week, but dropped a 40-30 game to Chaminade.  

Brophy went just 3-8 in 2022, but lost four games by a touchdown or less. That trend continued on Friday with a 35-34 loss to Williams Field, despite 218 yards passing and three touchdowns from senior quarterback Charlie McGinnis, who also rushed for a touchdown. Cathedral Catholic is looking to rebound from last year's 63-7 loss to another Arizona power, Chandler. 

5. Helix vs. Red Mountain (Mesa, Ariz.) at Cathedral Catholic, 4 p.m. Saturday

Helix quarterback Ryland Jessee has a rating of 142.9 through two games.  / Photo by Justin Fine

Another Honor Bowl showdown. Red Mountain eliminated Brophy Prep last season 45-38 before losing in the state 6A semifinals to eventual champion Highland. The Mountain Lions (1-0) opened Friday with a 41-7 win over Mesa and junior QB Simon Lopez was super efficient, completing 13 of 15 for 220 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers. Helix is on the cusp of the state Top 25 rankings after two big intersectional wins, over Edison-Huntington Beach (38-34) and at Saint Francis-Mountain View (45-21). Senior quarterback Ryland Jessee has thrown for 362 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in the early going. Kevin Allen III has rushed for 208 yards and three touchdowns. In last year's Honor Bowl, Helix registered a 24-21 victory over Mountain View (Ariz.), but will likely need to step it up a notch to win this time. 

4. Granite Hills (El Cajon) at St. Augustine

Photo by Todd Shurtleff

Two more San Diego Section teams go head-to-head as defending state 2-A champion Granite Hills (1-0), which opened with a 27-17 home win over Mission Hills (San Marcos) on Aug. 19, travels to vastly improved St. Augustine (2-0) which has outscored opponents 81-14. The Saints are averaging 8.4 yards per carry and rushed for 564 yards and six touchdowns, while sophomore quarterback Brady Palmer has thrown just four incompletions among his 24 passes for 278 yards and four more scores. The competition is stiffer on Friday so we'll see just where this young, but talented team, stands. 

3. Punahou (HI) vs. #3 Corona Centennial at Cathedral Catholic, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Photo by Heston Quan

The final game of the Honor Bowl should be tremendous. Most California fans haven't seen Punahou football before, but watching the Buff n' Blue is a treat. What makes them so exciting is not only their sheer dominance, regularly contending for the No. 1 spot in Hawaii and a national ranking, but also their style. They play with a high tempo on offense, and their chemistry is made evident by their exceptional team-wide blocking schemes. 

Does that sound like anyone you know in California? Possibly a number of teams, but Corona Centennial matches the description as well as any. Any way you slice it, Centennial is the big favorite here, but there's still lots of potential for an outstanding spectacle.

2. Eastside Catholic (WA) at #4 Orange Lutheran

Photo by Dennis Lee

After two impressive road wins, including a resounding 35-14 victory Friday in Northern California against De La Salle — the Lancers are back home to face a nationally-ranked squad from Washington. 

MORE: PHOTOS FROM ORANGE LUTHERAN'S WIN OVER DE LA SALLE | WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS

Eastside Catholic, which frequently contends for state titles, might have one of its best teams in a while. Orange Lutheran is no underdog after its convincing wins over De La Salle and Serra (Gardena) under its belt. Throw in the fact that Eastside Catholic is yet to play an official contest and will travel more than 1,000 miles, the Crusaders will be challenged. It's poised to be a great game.  

1. #7 Mission Viejo vs. #10 Long Beach Poly at Veterans Stadium

Long Beach Poly celebrates a thrilling 35-30 victory at Mission Viejo on Sept. 2, 2022 / Photo by Lance Smith

Shock and devastation on their own field. That was the scene for the Diablos a year ago when Long Beach Poly upset them 35-30 on a last-minute touchdown. And that's the favor they're hoping to return on Friday, even though neither team will be an underdog this time around. The fact that the teams should be evenly-matched once again makes it all the more exciting.

That context alone for a pair of arguable top-five teams in the state makes this game plenty compelling, but there's more even juice to it in terms of both pride and playoff positioning. Both teams went on to make the CIFSS Division 1 playoffs comfortably last year, and that could easily happen again, but this game could also cost the loser its spot in Division 1 depending on a litany of variables. Additionally, had Mission Viejo beaten Long Beach Poly last year and still upset Corona Centennial in the playoffs, it would've finished the season as the unquestionable top public school team in the state – and perhaps the West Coast. Both opponents in this matchup are on the hunt for that kind of distinction once again, and one will inevitably have to deal with another devastating blow when Friday night is over.

MORE GAMES TO WATCH:

In any given week of California high school football, there are dozens of great games to watch between top programs. Here are some other exciting matchups happening this week. 

(Numerals are state rankings by SBLive. Games are 7 p.m. unless noted.)

Thursday:

Granada Hills Charter at Palisades

Cajon at Aquinas – 7:30 p.m.

Garfield at King/Drew – 7:30 p.m.

El Modena at Cypress

Rancho Bernardo at Point Loma – 5 p.m.

Palos Verdes at Corona del Mar

Villa Park at #22 Upland

South (Torrance) at Narbonne

St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy at #24 Etiwanda

San Pedro at Lawndale

Carson at North (Torrance) – 7:30 p.m.

Chaparral at San Jacinto – 7:30 p.m.

Summit at Beaumont – 7:30 p.m.

Downey at Jurupa Hills

Serrano at Paraclete

El Dorado (Placentia) at Tustin

Diamond Bar at Covina

Friday:

La Costa Canyon at #17 San Clemente

Chaminade at #13 JSerra

Newbury Park at St. Joseph (Santa Maria)

Oak Park at Birmingham

Millikan at St. Francis

Yorba Linda at Tesoro

Central at Ramona

Friendship Collegiate Academy (DC) at #2 St. John Bosco

La Jolla at El Capitan

La Habra at Newport Harbor

Steele Canyon at San Marcos (San Marcos)

Apple Valley at Arbor View (NV)

Muir at Banning (Wilmington)

Vista Murrieta at Orange Vista

Ayala at Leuzinger

Trinity Valley (TX) at University City – 12 p.m.

Del Norte (San Diego) at Eastlake

Pacifica (Oxnard) at Santa Barbara

Mira Mesa at Otay Ranch

#21 Oaks Christian at Roosevelt (Eastvale)

Oceanside at Mission Hills

Green Valley (NV) at #6 Sierra Canyon

Rio Mesa at San Marcos (Santa Barbara)

Servite vs. La Mirada at Cerritos College

Huntington Beach at Capistrano Valley

Culver City at Loyola

Mira Costa at Mayfair

Laguna Hills at Lakewood

Chino Hills at J.W. North

Trabuco Hills at Crean Lutheran

Salpointe Catholic (AZ) at Alemany

Charter Oak at Glendora

Moorpark at Garces Memorial

Village Christian at Salesian (Los Angeles)

Orange at Foothill (Santa Ana)

Thousand Oaks at Westlake

Palm Springs at Eisenhower

Ontario Christian at Brentwood School

Golden Valley (Santa Clarita) at Quartz Hill

Granite Hills (Apple Valley) at Hesperia 

Saturday:

Madison vs. Oak Ridge at Cathedral Catholic – 4 p.m.

Damien at Damien (HI) – 6 p.m.

Creekside (GA) at #1 Mater Dei

El Cajon Christian at Scripps Ranch