California High School Football Games of the Week: August 29-31

The first week of the 2024 California high school football season delivered a myriad of upsets and tight finishes.

The season is young, but another round of important games are coming up this week. Four matchups between top-25 programs in the Golden State rankings are set to kick off across the next few days.

Below are the top matchups to watch in California this weekend:

The On3 Massey Ratings — which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated college high school sports team rankings since 1995 — rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory.

CLICK HERE to watch your high school’s games on NFHS Network now!

Top high school football games in California

#12 Junipero Serra San Mateo vs. #10 Folsom — Friday, Aug. 30
Folsom (1-0) made a statement in its season-opening 63-20 win over Long Beach Poly last week. Star junior quarterback Ryder Lyons looked the part and then some, scoring three touchdowns and collecting over 300 yards of offense. The Bulldogs stay at home this week and will welcome in Junipero Serra for the Padres’ first outing of the season. Plenty of points will likely be on the docket. The On3 Massey Ratings give Folsom a 63% win probability.

#13 Santa Margarita Catholic vs. #4 Centennial — Friday, Aug. 30
Centennial (0-1) put up a solid fight against national No. 1 Mater Dei last week, losing 42-25 despite being without five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet under center. Longstreet could potentially make his senior debut on Friday when the Huskies host Santa Margarita Catholic. The Eagles (0-1) were stymied in a 35-7 loss to No. 3 Mission Viejo to open the season last week and will remain on the road for another tough challenge against a top-five opponent.

#7 Servite vs. #15 Murrieta Valley — Friday, Aug. 30
Servite didn’t break a sweat in its 45-0 shutout of Salt Lake City East (Utah) to begin the season 1-0. The Friars are tuned up and will head to Murrieta Valley (1-0) for a battle of top-10 offenses in the state. The Nighthawks opened their season with an impressive road victory over Rancho Cucamonga despite playing without star quarterback Bear Bachmeier. The Stanford commit could miss this week as well. Running back Dorian Hoze scored five touchdowns in the win last week.

#14 Oaks Christian vs. #8 Sierra Canyon — Friday, Aug. 30
Sierra Canyon fell behind the 8-ball early last week and never recovered in a tough 35-7 loss to No. 5 J Serra Catholic. The Trailblazers (1-1) have a big opportunity to bounce back this Friday as Oaks Christian (1-0) makes the trip to Chatsworth after opening its season with a 24-17 road win at Chaminade. Star junior running back Deshonne Redeaux will look to carry the load for the Lions. Sierra Canyon’s Madden Riordan already has three interceptions this season.

#6 Orange Lutheran vs. Rancho Cucamonga — Friday, Aug. 30
Led by Nebraska QB commit TJ Lateef, Orange Lutheran (1-0) picked up a gritty 21-13 road win over Junipero Serra Gardena last week. Lateef completed 18 passes for 185 yards in the victory to begin his senior campaign. Now, the Lancers will stay on the road and head to Rancho Cucamonga (0-1). The Cougars fell 35-19 to No. 15 Murrieta Valley and dropped out of the top 25 as a result. An upset win over Lutheran would help right the ship heading into the meat of the season.