PRE-GAME HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTES
Atascadero (1-1) at Santa Barbara (2-0), 7:30 p.m. — Dons all-league linebacker Jason Jimenez is coming off a solid game against Beverly Hills. He blocked a punt and made a key block on Jordan Pena’s return for a touchdown. Santa Barbara’s defense will be tested against a physical Atascadero team. Quarterback Robert Berwick leads a strong running attack; he had a 40-yard TD run in a 42-25 win last week over Morro Bay. Santa Barbara’s running game hasn’t shifted into high gear yet. This game will feature a Big Friday radio broadcast on 990 AM. The pick: Santa Barbara
Dos Pueblos (2-0) vs. Cabrillo (1-1), at Lompoc High, 7 p.m. — Defense continues to carry the Chargers. Last week in a 21-20 win over San Luis Obispo, the Chargers recovered a fumble, had two interceptions and stopped a two-point conversion. Quarterback LeShon Bell made the big play on offense, throwing the winning touchdown pass to Malcom Cellard-Farrall. The game will mark the return of Nate Mendoza to Lompoc’s Huyck Stadium, where he played high school football for the Lompoc Braves. Cabrillo will try to regroup after a 55-15 thumping against Righetti. The pick: Dos Pueblos
San Marcos (0-2) at Beverly Hills (0-1), 7 p.m. — After an encouraging season opener, the Royals took a step back last Friday, fumbling the ball away three times and allowing seven consecutive scores in a loss to Rio Mesa. Coach Anthony Linebaugh said afterward that the turnovers were a result of trust issues among teammates. He hopes to have that issue solved in the first road game of the year. Beverly Hills was beat up in its season opener by Santa Barbara, 35-6. The pick: Beverly Hills.
Carpinteria (0-2) at Nipomo (0-2), 7 p.m. — The Warriors go on the road, looking for their first win. Last week against South Torrance, the defense struggled to come up with stops on third down and the offense sputtered in the second half in a 28-20 loss. They should straighten things out against the Titans, who have given up 87 points in losses to Pioneer Valley and Arroyo Grande. The pick: Carpinteria
SATURDAY
Valley Christian (1-0) vs. Bishop Diego (2-0), at SBCC, 7 p.m. — The Cardinals enter the game as the No. 1-ranked team in the CIF-SS Northwest Division and without senior running back and captain Jack Gregson, who suffered a knee injury in a 43-15 win over Santa Ynez. Bishop will miss Gregson’s explosiveness, speed and leadership, but it has depth at the position. Sophomore Abel Gonzalez and junior Aidan Williams were impressive running the ball last week. Both had long TD runs against the Pirates. Valley Christian, after opening up a 28-0 lead, held on to beat Duarte 42-36 in its opener. The Lions like to throw the ball; quarterback Patrick Avila was 18-of-28 for 277 yards and Brandon Bynum caught 10 passes for 169 yards. Valley Christian is also in the Northwest Division. The pick: Bishop Diego
