The San Gabriel Valley’s high school football scene heads into Friday night with a slate of compelling matchups that blend tradition, talent and recent turbulence.
Key Matchups and Team Dynamics
In Whittier, the Ancich legacy is on full display as legendary St. Paul coach Marijon Ancich watches his grandson Charlie Ancich drive the Whittier rushing attack, which averages 276 yards per game and has already produced five touchdowns this season.
St. Paul, however, has stumbled recently, suffering lopsided defeats to Bishop Amat (55‑0) and Mission Viejo (77‑12), raising doubts about its ability to contend on Friday.
Arcadia enters the weekend riding a wave of offensive dominance, with sophomore quarterback Freddy Bysshe posting an impressive 281 yards and seven touchdowns per game, while the team matched last season’s win total after victories over El Monte (46‑12) and San Gabriel (30‑6).
La Salle’s Denzell Carter made a splash in the opener, rushing for 254 yards and scoring four touchdowns against Cantwell Sacred Heart, underscoring the team’s early‑season firepower.
The rivalry between El Rancho and West Covina is shaping up to be a classic showdown; West Covina, bolstered by added talent, rebounded from a 35‑26 loss to Victor Valley with a 35‑21 win over Chino, while El Rancho, ranked No. 10 in the SGV poll, posted back‑to‑back victories over Santa Fe (25‑0) and South Hills (30‑22).
Salesian and La Serna, both unbeaten and positioned No. 49 and No. 55 respectively in the Southern Section rankings, promise a tightly contested battle, with La Serna’s defense having shut out Baldwin Park (55‑7) and Schurr (56‑7) in recent outings.
Damien’s sophomore quarterback Anthony Randolph is another key story, averaging 227 yards and seven touchdowns, while running back Malachi McFarland has broken the 100‑yard mark and USC‑bound wide receiver Gavin Williams provides a reliable target.
St. Francis, despite a strong defense, struggled offensively in a 21‑7 loss to Alta Loma, whereas Crespi’s attack was on full display, with Chase Curren averaging 326 yards and seven touchdowns in wins over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (31‑24) and Golden Valley (38‑7).
The mix of undefeated squads, recent blowout losses and balanced contests across the valley ensures that Friday night’s games will be packed with drama and unpredictable outcomes.