CIF LA City Section Football Week 3: Key Matchups and What We’re Thinking

Week three of the high‑school season is finally here, and the CIF LA City Section is serving up a nice little buffet of storylines. We’ve got a Southern Section test for Carson, two perfect‑record teams squaring off, and a quirky forfeit that still counts as a win for Banning. Below is a quick rundown of the four games that should dominate the conversation, plus a humble guess on which side will come out on top.

Carson (2‑1) @ Long Beach Poly (1‑2) – Cabrillo High School

Carson’s first loss last week – a 35‑20 setback against Palos Verdes – still left a lot of heads turning. The Colts proved they can move the ball, but the sting of that defeat lingers. Now they head to Long Beach to face the storied Jackrabbits, a program that still carries a lot of name‑recognition even if the recent record isn’t as dominant as it once was.

There’s a personal subplot, too. Co‑defensive coordinator Jeff Johnson grew up in Long Beach and is set to line up against his alma mater. “It’s special, but once the whistle blows it’s business,” he told reporters, hinting at a little extra fire under the Colts’ helmets.

Carson’s offense has the pieces: senior quarterback Chris Fields can sling it, and senior running back Darren Panton adds a bruising ground threat. On defense, sophomore Bennie Saulter is already drawing Division I interest, so the secondary shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Poly counters with a secondary that boasts a five‑star Miami commit (Donte Wright) and a UCLA‑bound corner (JuJu Johnson). The Jackrabbits are still licking the wound from a 16‑13 loss to Tustin, so they’ll be hungry for a rebound.

Our pick: Carson – a win would be a statement that the Colts belong among the City Section’s elite.

University (2‑1) @ Crenshaw (3‑0) – Home Field Advantage for Crenshaw

The Wildcats came off a convincing 40‑14 triumph over Santee and are looking to cement themselves as a serious playoff contender. Their ground game is the engine they hope to rev, trying to keep Crenshaw’s playmakers off the field for as long as possible.

Crenshaw, meanwhile, is riding a perfect 3‑0 start, with senior linebacker Deandre Kirkpatrick (a San Diego State commit) anchoring a defense that has given up just a handful of points.

Junior Jovan Clark‑Saia, a recent transfer from Culver City, is emerging as a disruptive force in the Cougars’ front seven. If the Wildcats can stall that attack, they might give the Wildcats a chance, but home‑field comfort and a stout defense tilt the scales.

Our pick: Crenshaw – the Cougars have the edge, especially at home.

San Pedro (3‑0) @ Bell (3‑0) – A Battle of the Undefeated

Two unbeaten squads meeting on a Friday night always feels like a mini‑championship. San Pedro’s senior quarterback Seth Solorio turned heads with a seven‑touchdown, three‑quarter performance last week – a record‑setting night that still has people talking.

Bell, however, isn’t a pushover. They opened the season with a 28‑27 upset of Bell Gardens and followed up with a solid 26‑12 win over Marquez. The Eagles have shown they can roll with the big boys, and an upset here would catapult them into Open Division playoff conversation.

San Pedro’s seasoned program still feels like the favorite, but Bell’s recent grit makes this a toss‑up.

Our pick: San Pedro – experience and a high‑octane offense should be enough.

Banning (2‑1) @ North Torrance (2‑1) – The Forfeit‑Footnote Game

Banning’s record is a little quirky: they won 31‑6 on the field against South East, only to forfeit later, leaving them officially 2‑1 without an actual loss. Senior quarterback Noa Tuvalu is currently the City Section’s leading passer, and his arm has been a big reason the Pilots have stayed afloat.

North Torrance isn’t a powerhouse by recent standards, but they still field a competitive squad. Junior receiver Robby Hines gives them a playmaker that could keep Banning’s defense honest.

This matchup will be a better gauge of where Banning really stands before the schedule deepens.

Our pick: Banning – the quarterback’s edge and home comfort should tip the scales.

All four games promise a mix of talent, personal narratives, and the ever‑present question of who will rise when the stakes get higher. Keep an eye on the scores, and enjoy the drama that only high‑school football can deliver.