This could be one of those special Friday nights in the high school football season — excellent weather, great games, exciting matchups.

The Southern California News Group will have reporters covering more than 30 games tonight, ready to report on everything that happens.

Before the games start, check out what high school football analyst Michael Huntley has put together — his list of the “players to watch” and his predictions for some of the top games on the  Week 6 schedule.

PREDICTIONS: HUNTLEY’S SIX PICKSCapistrano Valley quarterback Talon Spencer throws the ball during a nonleague game against Crean Lutheran on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

La Habra vs. Capistrano Valley: Talon Spencer has 11 passing touchdowns and eight rushing touchdowns for Capo Valley. The Cougars have nine interceptions albeit against a weaker schedule. Cal Poly commit DJ Mitchell has 13 touchdown passes for La Habra and Blake Rogers has eight touchdown catches.

The pick: Capistrano Valley

Lakewood vs. Long Beach Poly: Mater Dei transfer quarterback Trevor Scott is eligible after the sit out period for Long Beach Poly and makes the Jackrabbits an entirely new offense. Lakewood has played a tough schedule and can rush the passer with Garon Harden (five sacks).

The pick: Long Beach Poly

Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) vs. Chaminade: Chaminade’s offense has clicked in its last three games and is averaging 35 points in that span. Jeremy Mellalieu is throwing for 212 yards per game with 12 touchdowns. Notre Dame has played an easier schedule and Tahj Skinner has 12 touchdowns with one interception.

The pick: Chaminade

King tight end Weslee Sorenson (5) heads up field as Citrus Valley’s Justin Jolley (33) moves in to make the stop during the first half in Riverside on Thursday, Sep. 17, 2026. King hosts Citrus Valley in a nonleague prep football game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

ML King vs. Corona: Corona quarterback Will Hitchcock has 16 touchdowns with just one interception this season. King’s defense, led by Weslee Sorenson and Mark Cadena, has allowed just 16 points during its three-game winning streak.

The pick: King

San Marino vs. Crescenta Valley: San Marino is scoring over 50 points per game with quarterback Parker Wilson and running back Nathan Nielson. Crescenta Valley has played a more challenging schedule and is led by Phoenix Vengco on offense and Aren Dilanchian on defense.

The pick: Crescenta Valley

Torrance vs. Santa Monica: Torrance is 1-2 on the road this season but has played well offensively with quarterback Gibson Turner. Santa Monica’s defense has been strong with Julian Velt’s four sacks and 13 forced turnovers as a team.

The pick: Torrance

HUNTLEY’S PLAYERS TO WATCH

Aydan Steen, LB, Santa Margarita: Steen leads Santa Margarita in tackles (33) and sacks (5) and plays Mater Dei, who allowed four sacks in its last game against Bishop Gorman. The freshman linebacker can also cover running backs in coverage and the Monarchs like to throw to running backs out of the backfield.

Tucker Murray, DB/WR, Corona del Mar: Murray had an interception last season when Corona del Mar played this week’s opponent, VIlla Park. The Princeton commit also has three touchdown catches this season and an interception return for a touchdown.

Shamar Lambert, DB, Baldwin Park: Lambert leads Baldwin Park in pass deflections and has an interception for the Braves this season. He will have plenty of chances for deflections against Diamond Bar, who threw for 287 yards with four touchdowns last week.

La Serna Lancers Etoagwara Onyenegecha (0) recovers a Northview Vikings fumble and runs for the touchdwon in the first half of a prep football game at Covina District Field in Covina on Thursday, September 10, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Etoagwara Onyenegecha, DB, La Serna: The UC Davis commit has a team-high nine pass deflections and a fumble recovery this season. La Serna plays Warren, who averages 307 passing yards per game so Onyenegecha will be busy on defense.

Nico Funez, RB, Valencia: Funez faces a Saugus team that allowed 228 rushing yards with five touchdowns in a loss to Hart last week. Funez ran for 144 yards on just seven carries with three touchdowns against West Ranch last week.

Fabian Moran, LB, Arleta: Moran leads Arleta in tackles with 37 and faces North Hollywood, who runs the ball on 89 percent of its offensive plays.

Jayden Armstrong, RB, St. Bernard: Armstrong leads St. Bernard in rushing with 479 yards and five touchdowns. St. Bernard plays Verbum Dei who allowed big offensive games against Big Bear and Mary Star this season.

Ryan Rakowski, QB, Palos Verdes: The Nevada commit is completing 73 percent of his passes for 210 yards per game with 10 touchdowns and has three rushing touchdowns. Palos Verdes plays Millikan who has given up a lot of passing yards in its last three games.

St. John Bosco sophomore wide receiver DJ Tubbs peaks over his shoulder during a 78-yard touchdown reception against Mater Dei at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

DJ Tubbs, WR, St. John Bosco: St. John Bosco threw for 444 yards with six touchdowns against JSerra last season. Tubbs has had over 110 yards receiving in each of his last two games with four touchdowns.

Terrish Weston Jr., DB, Lakewood: Weston Jr. has four interceptions and plays Long Beach Poly, who features a highly-ranked quarterback making his season debut after the sit out period.

Julian Sanchez, OL, Ontario: Sanchez is the center for Ontario who runs for 236 yards per game with 19 touchdowns. Ontario plays Duarte, who allowed 14 rushing touchdowns over a span of two games recently.

Henderson Carter V, LB, Norco: Carter leads Norco in tackles and had a team-high seven tackles in Norco’s last game against Santa Margarita. Norco plays a Murrieta Mesa offense that will want to establish the run to control the pace of the game.