The final week of the high school football regular season in Los Angeles is set for an exciting climax, with significant matchups on Thursday, October 31, 2023. These games will not only determine league champions but also playoff berths, particularly in the L.A. City Section.
Key Matchups on Thursday Night
Thursday’s action kicks off at 19:00 local time, featuring some high-stakes encounters. Among the standout games is the clash between Carson and San Pedro, both entering the contest with strong records of 6-3 and 5-4, respectively, and each holding an unbeaten 3-0 league record. The Marine League rivalry promises to be intense as both teams vie for the league title and potentially the top seed in the CIF L.A. City Open Division playoffs.
The game will spotlight two of the top quarterbacks in the area: Chris Fields III from Carson, who boasts 22 touchdown passes against three interceptions, and Seth Solorio from San Pedro, who has recorded 28 touchdown passes with just five interceptions. Defensively, Carson is led by sophomore edge rusher Kingston Sula, who has accumulated 13 sacks, while San Pedro’s defense has intercepted 14 passes, with Dennis Overholt leading the charge with four interceptions. Notably, San Pedro has won five of the last seven meetings between these teams.
Players to watch include Elias Redlew from San Pedro, who has made 60 receptions for 1,155 yards and 14 touchdowns, and Eric Myers from Carson, a junior running back with 755 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
Another significant matchup features West Torrance (5-4, 3-0) taking on El Segundo (8-1, 3-0). The Ocean League title is at stake, with El Segundo looking to avenge last year’s defeat against West, who won that encounter 35-21. El Segundo has been prolific this season, averaging 42.2 points per game, with quarterback Ryan Wiacek throwing for 25 touchdowns and maintaining a perfect interception record. On defense, Axel Theiss leads with four interceptions.
West Torrance has had a solid league campaign, allowing just 12 points in three games. Quarterback Dominic Golia had a standout performance two weeks ago, scoring five touchdowns in a victory over Beverly Hills. Key players to watch are Wiacek, who is eager to improve on last year’s performance, and Blake Ely from West, who has six receiving touchdowns.
One of the most intriguing matchups is between North Torrance (6-3, 2-2) and undefeated Torrance (9-0, 4-0) at Zamperini Stadium. Torrance aims to complete its first-ever perfect regular season, but North Torrance poses a challenge, having won their last two games convincingly. Torrance’s success stems from a strong junior trio: quarterback Gibson Turner, running back Vaughn Reinert, and versatile player Elias Emerson. North’s Jason Lewis will look to bolster his touchdown count as he competes against Torrance’s dominant lineup.
Additional Matches Scheduled
Other notable games include Westchester (4-5, 2-2) visiting University (6-3, 1-3) at 19:30 and Leuzinger (8-1, 4-0) facing Lawndale (4-5, 0-4). Additionally, in the 8-Man Tri Valley League, Sage Hill (4-3, 1-1) will take on Chadwick (5-3, 1-1) at 15:00.
As the regular season draws to a close, these matchups promise thrilling football action with substantial implications for the playoffs and league standings. Fans and players alike are gearing up for what could be a memorable conclusion to the season.
