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The Daily News previews high school football games that go “under the radar” each week. These games don’t necessarily have the best programs or players in the area, but the storylines for each one are worth keeping an eye on as the season progresses.
For the three best games of week 0 CLICK HERE.
Here are the best under-the-radar games for Week 0:
A thousand oaks in Westlake, 7 p.m.
The Mark Servè era has begun in Westlake. His first test will be against Crosstown rivals Thousand Oaks, who are showing signs of being on the rise under new coach Evan Yabu.
Yabu was discontinued in January 2020, taking over a program that had lost 25 games in a row. During the spring 2021 season, Yabu led the Lancers to a 2-3 record, including wins over Newbury Park (breaking the losing streak) and Agoura.
A huge leap in the right direction is on Friday evening. It will mean a lot for both teams. A win for Westlake means Servè wins on his coaching debut and the program gets off to a good start. A win for Thousand Oaks means Yabu could change things.
It’s a litter.
Forecast: Western lake
# 10 Birmingham Charter in Calabasas, 7pm
This is a re-edition of what turned out to be a barn burner in the spring. Calabasas overcame a 27:13 deficit with 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and won 28:27. Both teams completed their quarterbacks, but both teams are also returning high quality players. Birmingham Charter returns Arlis Boardingham. Calabasas returns to King Miller as an aspiring junior.
Quarterback play will be key. Coyotes junior quarterback Carter Mckinney is unproven at college level, and two seniors are likely to be battling for spots on Friday at Birmingham Charter, David Oliveros and Adam Sadigh.
Forecast: Calabasas
Arleta at Granada Hills Charter, 7pm
The Granada Hills Charter administration has not yet allowed fans (including parents) to participate in on-campus sporting events since the return of educational track and field athletics in the spring. The judgment will not be overturned for the home game on Friday evening.
That’s a shame, because two of the City Section’s best running backs will be on display: Dijon Stanley from Granada Hills and Kelvin Duran from Arleta.
A good over / under line for combined touchdowns between the two would be 5.5.
Forecast: Granada Hills Charter
