Sizing Them Up: Weekly Prep Football Preview

A rundown of a full slate of San Mateo County football action this week:

FRIDAY

Game of the Day

Sacred Heart Prep (1-0) at Riordan (0-1), 3:15 p.m. The Gators walloped the WCAL doormat 56-26 last year, one of seven games in which the Crusaders allowed at least 50 points. SHP should win, perhaps even handily, but don’t expect pinball numbers.

Also in Action

South San Francisco (1-0) at Capuchino (0-1), 3:15 p.m. What has become an annual north county rivalry game resumes after last year’s game was cancelled following the PG&E explosion. Will Cap be able to slow the Warriors enough to keep it close? Probably not.

Cupertino (0-1) at Mills (0-1), 3:15 p.m. Winnable games have been scarce for years, but with fellow cellar-dwellers Cupertino and Harbor next on the schedule the Vikes have big eyes. Cupertino and Mills sport identical 4-26-1 records dating to the start of the 2008 season. Something has to give. Right?

Mission-San Francisco (1-0) at Menlo (1-0), 3:15 p.m. San Francisco public schools aren’t accustomed to the sophisticated offense the Knights feature. Menlo players inexperienced at the varsity level should get to work out plenty of kinks and enjoy their first home win.

Aragon (0-0) at San Mateo (0-0), 7 p.m. San Mateo halted an 11-game losing streak to the Dons a year, forcing five turnovers in a 27-15 road win. Aragon is intent on a rebound year, and early indications are San Mateo doesn’t have the playmakers of recent seasons.

Burlingame (1-0) at Woodside (1-0), 7 p.m. Both teams are looking to build on impressive defensive showings. And Woodside is gunning for consecutive wins for the first time since late in the 2008 season. Burlingame beat the ‘Cats 42-12 a year ago. The Panthers should win again, but by a much closer margin.

Jefferson (0-1) at Pittsburg (1-0), 7 p.m. The Indians may well have the toughest opening three games of any county team. Baptism by fire to PAL Bay-level competition? Jeff should have its hands full with Pittsburg, traditionally a powerhouse North Coast Section program.

Carlmont (0-1) at Willow Glen (0-0), 7 p.m. The Scots face the tough task of playing a Willow Glen squad coming off an 11-2 season capped by the CCS Division II title. There should be a long term benefit in opposing an elite QB in Mitch Ravizza, but this figures to be a long night for Carlmont.

Terra Nova (0-1) at Wilcox (0-1), 7:30 p.m. The Tigers have won this annual meeting just once in the last seven years. But after undergoing a coaching change, Wilcox looked totally out of sorts in last week’s blowout at Serra. A hungry Terra Nova squad should win, perhaps comfortably.

SATURDAY

Game of the Day

Monte Vista (1-0) at Serra (1-0), 1 p.m. The Padres won 28-21 on the road a year ago in a game that was tied entering the fourth quarter. Monte Vista hails from the East Bay Athletic League, which rivals the WCAL in terms of talent and depth. This will be a fine early test for both sides.

Also in Action

Los Gatos (0-0) at Menlo-Atherton (1-0), 2 p.m. Los Gatos crushed the Bears the last two years, prevailing by a combined margin of 91-10. M-A seems improved, but it’s highly doubtful the Bears are in the Wildcats’ league.

Mountain View (0-0) at Hillsdale (0-1), 2 p.m. After surrendering a whopping 52 points to Aptos, the Knights look to right the ship against a Mountain View team that counts as an unknown with a new coaching staff. The Spartans, who moved up to the SCVAL De Anza, boast a talented RB in Marcus Jones.

El Camino (0-1) at Washington-San Francisco (0-0), 2 p.m. The teams have split their last six meetings. Last year, the Colts prevailed 21-14, one of just two losses for a Wash team that rolled to the Turkey Bowl championship in San Francisco.

Half Moon Bay (0-1) at Scotts Valley (1-0), 2 p.m. Homestead proved far too tough, but Scotts Valley should be a more evenly matched opponent for the Cougars. Don’t expect an outcome like last year’s 39-14 HMB romp. A tighter game should give Nate Seaton & Co. a nice growth opportunity.