Top 10 Southern California high school football games to watch this week (Oct. 13-15): Los Alamitos and Edison battle for Sunset League title

For the second straight week, we have a massive week of SoCal football – particularly in the CIFSS – upon us. In addition to bringing another huge week in the Mission League, this is very likely the best week of the season for public school rivalries.

So, it's no stretch to say this week (Oct. 13-15) could be the of the deepest yet in 2022 with exciting league games all across SoCal. Without further ado, here are the top 10 games to watch this week in Southern California high school football.

FULL SECTION SCHEDULES: SOUTHERN | LA CITY | SAN DIEGO

TOP 10 SOCAL FOOTBALL GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK:

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

10. Brawley at Imperial

The Imperial Valley League is a three-horse race this fall, but only two of its members will have a chance at an undisputed title after this week. 

The Tigers put together an impressive league opener two weeks ago in a 24-0 win at Calexico, and it's only getting tougher with Brawley and Central on deck. It should be a tossup this week with Imperial and Brawley a combined 11-3, and another tossup when whoever wins faces Central – presumably to cement an undefeated league run – later in league play. However, a three-way tie atop the Imperial Valley isn't out of the question, so whichever team loses this week will still have some hope.

9. Rio Mesa at Pacifica (Oxnard)

The Channel League is an absolute gauntlet in 2022, with more than half of its constituents being title contenders and multiple others still being tough outs. Despite still having to deal with Oxnard and Buena, Pacifica is one win away from having a title nearly wrapped up, as Rio Mesa comes to town on Friday. The Spartans fell 7-6 in overtime to Santa Barbara, which Pacifica beat by one score to open league play, but could make the league race quite messy with an upset win here.

8. Point Loma at University City – Saturday at 6 p.m.

Unlike the other leagues discussed in the first half of this list, the City League has a clear-cut title game this year, and it's this week. 

After last week's 30-point win over Morse, Point Loma enters as the favorite, but it could easily go either way. The Centurions took care of Mission Bay by 11 points in their last league game, and are the only team in the conference with two league wins. They might have to play even better to have a good chance against the Pointers though.

7. Sierra Canyon at Serra (Gardena)

While a league title run is unlikely, the Trailblazers have officially put it together in their last three games. After beating Westlake 49-6 in their non-league finale, they nearly shocked Bishop Amat and then crushed Alemany 42-0. Serra edged out Amat 27-21 last week to stay unbeaten in league play, and will probably have to bring its A-game to secure another big dub.

6. Chaminade at Bishop Amat

Speaking of the Mission League, the same dynamic is at play here. 

Even with Serra coming on strong, Chaminade looks like the team to beat, but anything could happen. And if those two stay unbeaten, then their match on the last week of the regular season will be for all the marbles. Bishop Amat needs a win here to keep its conference championship hopes alive, and that's not great news as it is not playing its best ball of the year right now. Still, if the Lancers can get back into form on Friday, they should be able to give 'Nade a run for its money, and quite possibly get back into the league race.

5. Mission Viejo at San Clemente

It might just be the fiercest rivalry in SoCal, and will again be a clear-cut South Coast League championship in 2022. As usual, the question is, do the Tritons have a chance?

As we always point out before they play, nobody gave them a chance in 2018, and they went on to shock Mission Viejo even without their starting QB out. Not many people had San Clemente winning in the 2020-21 season either, but the Tritons pulled out a dramatic defensive victory on the last play of the game.

With that said, the distance between the rivals this fall looks a little bit more like it did in 2019 and 2021-22, when Mission Viejo blew SC out both times. After San Clemente fell to Murrieta Valley by three on Sep. 23, a Diablos victory looks probable, but MV showed in its loss to Long Beach Poly that it's not untouchable. No matter what the score looks like on Friday, expect a physical, well-played game.

4. El Dorado (Placentia) at El Modena – Thursday at 7 p.m.

The two best teams in Orange County that you might not know about are going at it on Thursday, and a North Hills League title is at stake. 

Between the two sides, the only loss is a 24-21 loss by El Dorado to Yorba Linda. If the Golden Hawks had pulled an upset off that week, they'd be the talk of the town, and all their other games have been blowout wins. ElMo recently beat Villa Park for the first time in 15 years and their other last three games have been dominant wins against La Habra, San Juan Hills, and Foothill. That makes this the clear sleeper pick for game of the week.

3. Charter Oak at Ayala

With Ayala having yet another huge year, and Charter Oak going from sneaky good to just really dang good in 2022, it's going down in the Mountain West League on Friday.

After a couple challenging weeks, the Bulldogs defeated Glendora, the only team to beat them last regular season, 56-33 last week. They won 40-14 against the Chargers last year, but a closer game is nearly guaranteed this time. Not only is Charter Oak sitting pretty at 7-0, but just like Ayala, it too has rolled against Glendora and beaten Chino Hills by one point this season. Don't be surprised if this turns into one of the best games of 2022.

2. Downey at Warren

Continuing with the theme of rivalries and/or league title games, the Bears can unofficially clinch their third straight league title – which would be their first as a member of the Gateway. Crosstown rival Downey also accompanied them to the Gateway League, and is also looking to kick off its time there with a conference championship. 

Both teams come in at 6-1, with their only losses coming against big-time foes. The Vikings dropped their season opener 41-10 against Corona del Mar, making them the clear underdog on Friday, but have since cruised past some very good teams. Warren is also seeking its marquee win of the regular season, and with its only loss coming narrowly to Serra (Gardena), one has to like its chances. But if Downey plays its best game yet, it could pull off a shocker, making this a must-watch.

Also, tune in for a next-level quarterback duel – 4-star QB Aiden Chiles and Downey will have to find a way to deal with 5-star Tennessee commit Nico Iamaleava.

1. Los Alamitos at Edison (at Huntington Beach High School) – Thursday at 7 p.m.

It wouldn't be the best week of public school action in the Southern Section without Edison vs. Los Al. The Griffins are seeking their third straight conference title, but Edison has made it a one-score challenge both times. And both teams are possibly their best iteration yet, with a legit possibility that they both make CIFSS Division 1 no matter what happens this week.

And speaking of QB battles, this one pits California's top-ranked signal caller, 5-star USC-bound Malachi Nelson, against an underrated stud in 3-star Charger Parker Awad. Both teams also feature a big-time receiving corps – and secondary – so the battle in the air should be fantastic. With a Sunset League title up for grabs.

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 SoCal matchups happening this week:

Simi Valley at St. Bonaventure

Rancho Cucamonga at Chino Hills

San Pedro at Carson

Orange Lutheran at Mater Dei

JSerra at St. John Bosco

Mira Mesa at El Cajon Christian

Otay Ranch at Mater Dei Catholic

Westlake at Oaks Christian

Upland at Etiwanda

Santa Barbara at Calabasas

Roosevelt (Eastvale) at Norco

Banning (Wilmington) at Narbonne

Tesoro at Capistrano Valley

Murrieta Valley at Chaparral

Servite at Santa Margarita

La Costa Canyon at Valley Center

Villa Park at Yorba Linda

El Camino at San Marcos

Torrey Pines at Mission Hills

Ramona at San Pasqual

Moorpark at Thousand Oaks

Cleveland at Granada Hills Charter

Palos Verdes at Redondo Union

Mt. Carmel at Rancho Bernardo

Golden Valley (Santa Clarita) at West Ranch

Corona del Mar at Huntington Beach

Cathedral at St. Paul