Fryer on Football: Previews and predictions for Week 5’s top high school games

Steve Fryer’s previews and predictions for this week’s top high school football games.

GAME OF THE WEEK

NO. 11 FOOTHILL (4-0) VS. NO. 13 ORANGE (2-2)

Where, when: El Modena High, Thursday, 7 p.m.

Analysis: Foothill lost starting quarterback Brody Jones to a separated shoulder, but senior Jason Woods, a two-year starter on the Knights junior varsity team, has been more than adequate as the replacement. Having outstanding receivers like Austin Overn and Brady Schrank helps. The Knights opened the season with an impressive 40-33 win over Cypress and kept the momentum going with wins over Tustin, Sonora and La Mirada. Orange scored relentlessly last week in a 67-47 win over Capistrano Valley as senior quarterback Zachary Siskowic threw for 476 yards and seven touchdowns. Foothill has a good defense, but maybe the Knights offense won’t be able to match touchdowns with Orange.

Winner: Orange

OTHER TOP GAMES

NO. 18 TESORO (1-3) VS. NO. 19 EL TORO (5-0)

Where, when: El Toro High, Friday, 7 p.m.

Analysis: This veteran strength-of-schedule guy is not shook up by Tesoro’s record or three-game losing streak. Because those three losses were to Chaparral/Temecula in overtime, Vista Murrieta and La Serna/Whittier. Those three teams are a combined 9-4 with challenging schedules of their own. The Titans have lacked offensive consistency, which can happen when two quarterbacks receive a large number of snaps. Other than in the 48-21 loss to high-scoring Vista Murrieta the Tesoro defense has been fine. El Toro quarterback Blake Miller is having a splendid season, averaging 259 yards a game with 13 touchdowns and only two interceptions. The Chargers run the ball effectively, too, with Carson Olsen averaging 121 rushing yards a game. El Toro is averaging 32 points a game. Tesoro will keep the Chargers well below that in a close Titans win.

Winner: Tesoro

NO. 13 CYPRESS (3-1) VS. NO. 15 CAPISTRANO VALLEY (3-2)

Where, when: Capistrano Valley High, Friday, 7 p.m.

Analysis: First-half turnovers doomed Cypress in its 40-33 season-opening loss to Foothill. The Centurions followed with wins over San Juan Hills, Western and Katella. They move up in class, as they say in horse racing, against Capistrano Valley. Cypress senior quarterback Dylan Eldredge has been excellent, completing 70 percent of his passes for 289 yards a game, and his group of receivers including Matthew Morrell (30 receptions for 486 yards and nine touchdowns), Devin Cobb and Trevor Monteleone is outstanding. Capistrano Valley quarterback Trey Kukuk is the Orange County passing yardage leader at 1,510 yards. The Cougars tend to give up big plays and points, two areas at which Cypress excels.

Winner: Cypress

NO. 23 PACIFICA (4-0) VS. NO. 25 BREA OLINDA (3-0)

Where, when: Brea Olinda High, Friday, 7 p.m.

Analysis: Is Pacifica under-ranked? Maybe. The Mariners have not played a team in the current county top 25, so here is their chance to impress. They have a tough and talented quarterback, junior Darius Cowens, who averages 195 passing yards and 106 rushing yards a game. His stellar play sometimes obscures the great work of Pacifica running back Jun Ramos, whose 691 rushing yards is second in Orange County via MaxPreps.com. Brea’s most-impressive win was over Sunny Hills 40-37. The Wildcats have a fine quarterback-running back combo, too, in senior Justus Thongprahchanh, who has completed 72 percent of his passes for an average of 267 yards a game, and Andrew Rubio, who averages 126 rushing yards. Brea has not played against a team as good as Pacifica or a quarterback as good as Cowens.

Winner: Pacifica

NO. 21 JSERRA (2-2) NEWPORT HARBOR (1-3)

Where, when: Newport Harbor High, Friday, 7 p.m.

Analysis: JSerra is off to a better start than many expected under first-year coach Scott McKnight. With his deep football resources, you can be sure McKnight, a longtime assistant at JSerra and elsewhere, assembled a fine coaching staff that includes former JSerra head coach Pat Harlow who is coaching linemen, which of course he is as good as it gets there, having played offensive line at USC before starting 94 games in the NFL. The Lions lost to two state-ranked teams, Sierra Canyon and Centennial of Corona, defeated Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks and, last week, Rancho Cucamonga. A win in any upcoming Trinity League games would be an upset, but a 3-2 nonleague run would construct a fine foundation. Newport Harbor, too, has lost to good teams – Yorba Linda, Capistrano Valley and Trabuco Hills – with a win over Marina. The Sailors have offensive playmakers like receiver Kashton Henjum but opposing defenses have kept a cap on them. JSerra will do the same.

Winner: JSerra

VISTA MURRIETA (3-1) VS. NO. 9 VILLA PARK (4-0)

Where, when: El Modena High, Saturday, 3 p.m.

Analysis: Vista Murrieta is No. 22 in the CalHiSports.com state rankings. The Broncos’ loss was to state No. 6 Norco, which also is the only team with a win over Santa Margarita. They run the ball well, led by Gavin Galzote (5-6, 150) who has rushed for 528 yards and averages 11 yards a carry. Vista Murrieta is averaging 43 points a game and is coming off of its bye week, so the Broncos should be beyond ready for this one. Villa Park got a good win last week, 17-7 over Valencia of Los Angeles County. The Spartans beat Upland and Orange, too. Villa Park quarterback Nathan Kornely has been steady, and the Spartans average 159 rushing yards a game. Vista Murrieta looks like the superior team, and coming in fresh from a bye week could give the Broncos an edge.

Winner: Vista Murrieta

Fryer on Football last week: 3-3

Season to date: 19-11