Most Anticipated League Matchups

With the League season starting, I’ve decided to take a look at the most enticing matchup each week in the Bay, Ocean, Pioneer, and Western league.

Week 1 of League

Bay

Redondo @ Peninsula

For me, an always enticing matchup is Redondo vs Peninsula. Both have been worse than their rivals (Palos Verdes and Mira Costa Respectively) in the Bay league for years, but compared to each other, it’s a competitive affair. Last year Redondo beat Peninsula at the Hill, a crushing blow to the Panthers in their first night game in school history. Peninsula will look to avenge their loss at Redondo’s Sea Hawk Bowl this season, and with Redondo’s enormous student section, it is sure to be in for an exciting and captivating matchup. Peninsula will also be playing for playoff viability, and to keep their three game win streak intact.

Ocean

Hawthorne @ Morningside

Neither of these squads have had good seasons so far. Hawthorne is 1-4 and Morningside have forfeited twice. For both teams, it’s really about getting the last playoff spot given by getting third in the league. Hawthorne has won this game over the past couple of seasons but this one will surely be close.

Pioneer

West @ South

West has started the year 0-4. A worst start since the return of coach Todd Butler despite playing pretty good competition. South has started 2-3 with close losses throughout their season. It’ll be interesting to see if South can finally beat West, after losing to them for years which caused them to miss the playoffs for the last couple of seasons. This game will surely be close as South and West both lost to Peninsula close, showing they are around common ground. The complexion of the Pioneer has seemingly changed however as Torrance has arrived and North has fallen slightly, and it seems as if all six teams have a chance at gaining a bid to the dance.

Western

Venice @ Westchester

The Western league’s week one matchups are quite boring, with the top teams playing the bottom ones. However it seems like the Gondoliers vs the Comets is the best matchup of the week for the Westside LAUSD schools. Venice 2023 class was great, so a down year was expected out of the Gondos however, a 1-3 start is quite worrying. Going to Westchester coming off a bye, it’ll be important for the Gondos to keep their foot on the neck of their Western league rivals. 

Week 2 of League

Bay

Mira Costa @ Palos Verdes

Both teams have been at the top of the bay league for years, but with Mira Costa’s 0-4 start, it seems like a Palos Verdes route could be in the cards. In spite of their slow start, Mira Costa’s passing offense hasn’t struggled thus far putting up yards throughout their season. With the possibility of knocking off an impressive Palos Verdes squad, the Mustangs are sure to be playing on a different level vs Palos Verdes.

Ocean

Compton Centennial @ Hawthorne

Again, neither of these teams are any good. The Apaches are 1-4 and same with the Cougars but the playoff spot is on the line week after week. The team that can go 3-0 against each other out of Beverly, Compton Centennial, Hawthorne, and Morningside will go to the playoffs. The actual game might not be great, but the stakes will heighten the intensity in everyone of these matchups.

Pioneer

South @ North

South and North have been 4th and 2nd respectively in the Pioneer for a couple of years now, always finishing in the same spots. However, North is not as good as they were in the past, losing three out of league games. If South were to pull off the upset, and beat West in the opening week of league play, who knows the Spartans could flat out win the Pioneer.

Western

Fairfax @ Palisades

This game is one I’m looking forward to. Fairfax is on the up, the Lions are 4-1 and ready rock as Ivan Levant (Class of 2024 QB) has been going off! Levant has been finding his receivers at a clinical rate, passing through defenses more efficiently than ever before. The Russian Rifle will have competition however, Pali’s defense hasn’t let they’re opponents have more than 15 points in a game as of yet. Also with Roman La Scala (Class of 2024 QB) throwing to Brayden Sanford (Class of 2024 WR) who knows how this one will go at the Stadium by the Sea.

Week 3 of League

Bay

Mira Costa @ Santa Monica

There’s a very high likelihood that Mira Costa could walk into Santa Monica on a mid-october night needing a win to salvage their playoff chances. The Mustangs have played only premier teams around their area, and their 0-4 start doesn’t play well for them to get an at-large playoff bid. Mira Costa’s schedule doesn’t get any easier however, playing Villa Park in their final non-league game, before starting league against a high-flying Culver squad and a Palos Verdes team that has a top-25 ranking in California. If Costa hypothetically went into Santa Monica at 0-7, they’d need to beat Peninsula, Santa Monica, and Redondo to make the playoffs, something they’ve done in the past but Santa Monica and Redondo seem to be much improved. The Vikings on the other hand will have pent up aggression towards the Mustangs, as Mira Costa have beaten the Vikings 3 times in a row, including a bashing at Costa’s homecoming last year. The Vikings will droll at the opportunity to put down the Mustangs chances of post season competition.

Ocean

Morningside @ Beverly Hills

I’m not saying Beverly has a good shot, but there’s a chance the Normans could win a league game for the first time in forever. Beverly won their first game in years in week one of 2023, and who knows, maybe the boys on Rodeo have something brewing.

Pioneer

West @ El Segundo

For both of these squads, this is a must win game. El Segundo has lost close in the Pioneer league year after year, and still haven’t won a league game since joining the league in 2020. For West, they have to finish third in league to make the playoffs, and a loss to El Segundo would be a nail in the coffin of the Warriors.

Western

Fairfax @ Hamilton

Fairfax goes to Hamiliton this year to play the Yankees. Last year Fairfax won, but a new look Hamilton and Fairfax means this one will be interesting. Hamiliton seems worse on paper but both played Crenshaw, and Fairfax lost big while Hamliton competed to the very end. William Gletener (Class of 2025 LB) will need a big game if Hamiliton hopes to beat the Lions firepowered offense with Henry Prince (Class 0f 2024 RB) running the ball.

Week 4 of League

Bay

Culver City @ Palos Verdes

Culver travels to Palos Verdes in the second to last week of the season. This game will be a battle to see if PV’s backend can hold up against the high flying Culver Squad, and if Culver’s front 7 can rise to the occasion against the physicality of Palos Verdes. In the past two years, the Sea Kings have murdered Culver up front, leading them to win the bay league in back to back years. However the last time Culver we’re putting up these kinds of numbers, they won league with Zevi Echaus (Class of 2021 Bryant University) starting, something Sammy Silvia (Class of 2024 QB) will try to replicate in the Centaurs hope for triumph in the Bay League.

Ocean

Inglewood @ Leuzinger

Inglewood, Leuzinger will be a game to decide it all in the Ocean. The Leu’s high power rushing attack vs Inglewood’s fiery passing game will be something to watch. Inglewood has had a down year so far but, compared to their opponents Inglewood is too good to miss out on the playoffs in the Ocean. This game will be about winning league, pride, and playoff seeding. This will be Leuzinger’s best chance to beat Inglewood in years, as they are initially favored by calpreps.com.

Pioneer

Lawndale @ North

Lawndale led by coach Travis Clark have dominated the Pioneer for years. The Cardinals have killed their league opponents for years other than North, as the Saxons nearly toppled the Cardinals dominance last year losing only by one. It seems like the Saxons have gotten worse this season and the Cardinals have ramped it up a bit but the young  Saxons led by Boogie Anetema (Class of 2027 QB) are talented. If the freshman hits his stride, it is anyone’s bet on who’ll win this one. 

Western

Palisades @ Venice

Pali travels to Venice in hopes of beating their Southern rival. It’s very important to understand that Venice has dominated Pali in their recent history, going 6-0 in the last couple matchups. Nevertheless it seems like Pali has the advantage over Venice, but just like Mira Costa and Palos Verdes the last couple years, even when they have the skill advantage, there’s something about Venice that Pali can’t overcome.

Week 5 of League

Bay

Redondo @ Mira Costa 

In the Bay league, the rivalries haven’t been great over the last couple of years. With Palos Verdes, Culver City, and Mira Costa holding long streaks over their rivals. In spite of Santa Monica’s resurgence and their matchup with the Centaurs at home on the final Friday of the season, Redondo vs Costa is seemingly the most captivating matchup. Redondo vs Costa for the last couple of years has been nothing short of domination. Redondo last beat Costa in 2017, however the Mustangs have stampeded through the Seahawks ever since. In spite of the continual losses to their Northern rival, the return of head coach Keith Ellison at Redondo in 2021 has been a huge boost in the Seahawks performance. Redondo made the playoffs last season, and this year they are looking to repeat the feat. In this season though, the Seahawks are looking to obtain an automatic bid, something only achieved if they finish top three in the Bay. For Costa, a very slow start means success in the Bay is everything if they don’t want to miss the playoffs for the first time in 9 years! The game will be a matchup of a good defensive backfield of Redondo vs the highflying Mira Costa led by Reese Leonard (Class of 2024 WR/DB). The game will mean everything for both squads, their playoff hopes and their pride. The Battle at the Beach is sure to be a captivating affair, in the Bay League’s rivalry week.

Ocean

Morningside @ Inglewood

The only true great rivalry in the league, the battle for Inglewood was contested with great efforts for years. However, two years ago Morningside were throttled by Inglewood, losing by 100. The nastiness and bad blood in the rivalry is great to watch as a spectator, and without any really interesting games on the last week, Monarchs vs Sentinels is for all the bragging rights in the City of Champions.

Pioneer

Torrance @ South

Torrance has been the surprise of the season in the South Bay. In spite of their ten point loss to Redondo, the Tartans are 4-1 and rolling. They start their league season against Lawndale, and that’d be a very hard game for them to win. However, Torrance could roll into this one playing for first, second, or third place in the Pioneer, something the school from East Torrance haven’t done in ages. South on the other hand could be playing for their playoff viability, and if South beats the teams they’re supposed to, this will be a highly contentious affair. 

Western

Fairfax @ Venice

The Lions travel west to Venice to play the Gondos. There’s a high likelihood this game is for first, second, and third place seeding. Fairfax has lost to Venice for years so beating their rival from out West would go a long way for the Gondos.

Honorable Mention:

Garfield vs Roosevelt

I’m not going to do a full Eastern league recap, but the East LA city classic is too great to not include. Both will be playing for playoff seeding, as both hope to get into the open division. Being the 91st rivalry game, the East LA fans show out. They’ve split the last two games and Garfield looks like the favorite this year, but in this game, anything can happen.