John Maffei’s picks: Expect LCC to edge Mission Hills in Avocado West League play

The Union-Tribune’s John Maffei picks 10 of Friday’s biggest high school football games. All games at 7 p.m., unless noted:

Avocado West League

No. 4 La Costa Canyon (5-0) at No. 3 Mission Hills (5-0)

When: 7:15 p.m.

Preview: Quinn Roth, who has thrown for 950 yards and 12 TDs, leads La Costa Canyon. He has major weapons in do-everything back Coby Herman, who has 69 carries for 661 yards and nine TDs along with nine catches for 228 yards and three TDs. Jackson Maggiore has 19 catches for 424 yards and seven TDs, while Lennox Marcucci, who is back from a summer injury, has five catches for 160 yards and two scores in two games. LCC’s defense has six sacks, four interceptions and 13 tackles for losses. … Mission Hills is led by QB Troy Huhn, who has committed to play at Cal. Myzeal Quackenbush is a deep threat. … LCC is ranked No. 14 in California and No. 122 in the nation by MaxPreps.com. Mission Hills is ranked No. 21 in the state and No. 181 in the nation. … LCC has outscored its opponents 217-78. Mission Hills has outscored its opponents 180-40. … LCC has won 15 of its last 16 games, while Mission Hills has won 13 of its last 15. … Over the last four seasons, LCC and Mission Hills are 2-2, with LCC winning 28-27 last season.

Prediction: La Costa Canyon 28, Mission Hills 24

Central League

Clairemont (1-5) at Canyon Hills (2-3)

Preview: Clairemont has given up 36, 56 and 68 points in three of its losses. The win was 31-25 over Vincent Memorial. … Canyon Hills has scored just 79 points, but has given up only 87.

Prediction: Canyon Hills 21, Clairemont 14

City League

Crawford (1-4) at Hoover (3-2)

When: 6:30 p.m.

Preview: Crawford has a pair of weapons in running back Khalid Ali and receiver Collin Hunt. … Hoover’s Hezekiah Manuel has thrown for 1,212 yards and 11 TDs and rushed for 422 yards and seven scores. He has accounted for 18 TDs.

Prediction: Hoover 35, Crawford 14

Eastern League

Point Loma (5-0) at San Diego High (4-1)

Preview: Two-way star Romeo Carter leads Point Loma with 24 receptions for 422 yards and nine TDs. The Pointers and are ranked No. 109 in the state. … San Diego’s Jayden Harris has thrown for 810 yards, while Kye Cooper has 39 catches for 491 yards and has 39 tackles. The Cavers lost 23-16 in overtime last week to No. 8 Rancho Bernardo.

Prediction: Point Loma 27, San Diego 21

Grossmont Hills League

El Capitain (4-2) at Steele Canyon (6-0)

Preview: El Capitan has won four in a row.  Spencer Chastang, Brewin Ford and Lincoln Walker all have 40-plus tackles. … Steele Canyon’s Gavin Caha has 928 passing yards and 10 TDs. The Cougars’ defense is led by Luke Rode, Gunner Minich and Vincent Pryor.

Prediction: Steele Canyon 31, El Capitan 17

Grossmont Valley League

Monte Vista (3-2) at West Hills (0-5)

Preview: Monte Vista had a two-game winning streak snapped in a 38-0 loss to El Capitan. … West Hills has scored just 52 points and has been outscored just 45-26 in losses to Mira Mesa, Morse and El Capitan.

Prediction: West Hills 17, Monte Vista 13

Grossmont Valley League

Valhalla (1-4) at Grossmont (4-1)

Preview: Valhalla has been outscored 171-28 since its opening-week win. … Grossmont has thrown for 687 yards. Traditionally a passing team, Grossmont has rushed for 794 yards.

Prediction: Grossmont 42, Valhalla 17

Nonleague

Rancho Buena Vista (3-3) at Mira Mesa (3-2)

Preview: RBV hasn’t had a winning season since 2017, but quarterback Van Piercy could change that. He has thrown for 712 yards. … Mira Mesa got off to a 3-0 start, but has been outscored 86-13 the last two weeks.

Prediction: Rancho Buena Vista 23, Mira Mesa 20

No. 7 San Marcos (4-1) at Oceanside (2-3) 

When: 7:15 p.m.

Preview: San Marcos’  Zamar Reese has amassed 1,154 total yards of offense and has scored 12 touchdowns. Kreet Makihele has thrown for 877 yards. San Marcos’ only loss came in Week 1, when they fell 28-27 to Mount Miguel after missing a 2-point conversion in the game’s final seconds. … Oceanside lost its first three games, but bounced back to beat Helix and Mount Miguel.  Anthony Barquinero has thrown for 1,061 yards. … San Marcos is ranked No. 64 in the state, while Oceanside is No. 118.

Prediction: San Marcos 31, Oceanside 24

No. 2 Cathedral Catholic (5-0) at Concord De La Salle (5-0) 

When: 7:15 p.m.

Preview: Cathedral Catholic is led by Cal-bound Brady Palmer, who has thrown for 1,190 yards and 11 TDs. Honor Fa’alave-Johnson has touched the ball 50 times on offense, posting 613 yards and scoring six times. Willie Flores has 77 carries for 416 yards and four scores. Isaac Cook has 20 catches for 556 yards.  … De La Salle has been one of the top programs nationally for decades. The Spartans are led by Brayden Knight, who has thrown for 507 yards with two TDs and three interceptions. North Carolina-bound Jaden Jefferson has 45 carries for 382 yards and five TDs. Deuce Jones-Drew, son of former NFL star Maurice Jones-Drew, has 65 carries for 341 yards and six TDs. Brady Smith has 16 carries for 282 yards and three TDs. … Cathedral Catholic is ranked No. 13 in the state and No. 93 in the nation by MaxPreps.com, while De La Salle is ranked No. 6 in the state and No. 19 in the nation.

Prediction: De La Salle 28, Cathedral Catholic 27

Last week: 8-2

Season: 50-10