AVOCADO LEAGUE

El Camino at Rancho Buena Vista

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: El Camino 2-2; Rancho Buena Vista 2-1

Last meeting: In 2006, El Camino won 19-0.

At a glance: El Camino, which has won two of the last three meetings, still trails in the series 8-6. … Last year's game was also the league opener. … The Longhorns continued to roll on the ground, piling up 387 rushing yards and six TDs in a 51-35 win over Escondido last week. RB Noah Jackson rushed just eight times for 126 yards and FB Ian Sluss carries 21 times for 117 yards. Sluss now stands No. 5 in North County with 51 carries for 431 yards. Jackson is closing in with 33 carries for 351 yards and a 10.6 average per carry. …. But RBV's defense surrendered 475 total yards to the Cougars, but it won't face the same kind of running game this week. RB Travis Venzant leads the Wildcats, who dropped a 15-14 decision to Poway on a touchdown and two-point conversion with a minute to play last week. Venzant has 54 carries for 316 yards. … Both quarterbacks are expected to play this week for El Camino. Tim Willis played most of the Poway game and is 26-for-56 for 379 yards and five TDs while Colton Morrison is 20-for-31 for 297 yards and two TDs. As expected, WR Nelson Rosario, who caught two TD passes against Poway, tops the team with 18 catches for 418 yards.

Prediction: El Camino 24, Rancho Buena Vista 21

-- Terry Monahan

VALLEY LEAGUE

Ramona at San Pasqual

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: Ramona 4-0, 0-0; San Pasqual 2-1

Last meeting: In 2006, San Pasqual won 24-21

At a glance: Ramona has sprinted to a perfect start with wins over good Mt. Carmel (23-22) and El Capitan (49-21) clubs. … The Bulldogs can hit you through the air with the QB Eric Ernst to WR Danny Scherer combo or on the ground with RB Jarred Gallegos. Gallegos as 352 yards on 75 carries. Ernst has completed 30-of-51 passes for 370 yards with Scherer catching 19 of those for 312 yards. … San Pasqual stumbled in Week 1, losing to Vista Murrieta (37-27), one of the top teams' in the CIF Southern Section. But the Eagles have bounced back with wins over St. Augustine (24-3) and Torrey Pines (40-17). You can take the air out of the ball when San Pasqual is on offense. … The Eagles attack on the ground behind option QB Daniel Minamide, who has 446 yards on 51 carries and averages 8.7 yards a carry. Joel Jernigan has 188 yards on 35 carries. San Pasqual has 1,004 yards total offense with 877 on the ground.

Prediction: San Pasqual 31, Ramona 28

-- John Maffei

Escondido at San Marcos

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: Escondido 0-4, 0-0; San Marcos 2-2, 0-0

Last meeting: In 2006, Escondido won 57-0.

At a glance: The Cougars have been ravaged by injuries on defense, allowing 179 points and 1,931 yards. But there is nothing wrong with the Cougars' offense. Sophomore TB Ricky Seale has 640 yards -- tops in North County -- on 87 carries. He's averaging 7.3 yards a carry. Sophomore FB Tim Zier has 158 yards on 30 carries. QB Alec Hasty has thrown for 488 yards with Brad Cable catching 12 passes for 231 yards. … San Marcos didn't win a game in 2005 and 2006, but has two wins this season and is a much-improved team. Louie Engebrits leads the team in rushing with 220 yards on 63 carries. QB Josue Rios has thrown for 393 yards with 114 going to WR Martin Ramirez.

Prediction: Escondido 35, San Marcos 21

-- John Maffei

Mission Hills at Valley Center

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: Mission Hills 2-1, 0-0; Valley Center 2-1, 0-0

Last meeting: In 2006, Mission Hills won 21-7.

At a glance: No. 5-ranked Mission Hills is coming off a bye week. The Grizzlies only loss was 7-6 to No. 2-ranked Poway. Defense is the key to success with the team allowing just 23 points in three games. DT Frank Gaines has six sacks and DE Vince Misa-Amituanai has three. Offensively, TB Dante Potter has 249 yards on 49 carries. QB D.J. Zapata has thrown for 277 yards. … Valley Center has scored 100 points in three games behind the passing combo of QB Tyler Bernard and WR James Johnson. Bernard has completed 36-of-63 passes for 730 yards and eight TDs. Johnson has 17 catches for 425 yards, averaging 25.0 yards per catch. FB Justin Lawrence has rushed for 223 yards on 50 carries.

Prediction: Mission Hills 14, Valley Center 13

-- John Maffei

NONLEAGUE

Otay Ranch at Cathedral Catholic

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: Otay Ranch 2-1; Cathedral Catholic 3-1

Last meeting: First meeting

At a glance: Cathedral Catholic scored with 1 minute, 58 seconds to play last week, but couldn't get any more points in a 27-24 loss to Carlsbad. … RB Tyler Gaffney was the main weapon for the No. 9 Dons with 30 carries for 131 yards and a pair of fourth-quarter TDs. QB Nick Russell was 14-for-24 for 195 yards with Gaffney catching six passes for another 62 yards. … Gaffney ranks No. 6 in North County rushing with 73 carries for 373 yards. … Otay Ranch had a two-game winning streak snapped last week with a 17-14 loss to Point Loma. QB Marcus Vasquez threw a TD pass and then closed the gap to three points with an 11-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. … The Mustangs opened the season with wins over Central Union (10-7) and Rancho Buena Vista (31-17).

Prediction: Cathedral Catholic 27, Otay Ranch 7

-- Terry Monahan

Santa Fe Christian at Saint Augustine

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today at Balboa Stadium

Records: Santa Fe Christian 1-1-1; Saint Augustine 2-2-0

Internet: kbcsports.com

Last meeting: First meeting

At a glance: The Eagles surprised most everyone by leaving East County with a 7-7 draw against week against Helix, a perennial power. The Eagles defense was in top form, a stark contrast to a week 2 effort where Fallbrook won by a large margin. Santa Fe Christian will need a similar performance against the Saints high-powered offense. DE Mario Kurn and LBs Zach Krammes and Jake Kenyon will lead such an effort to shut down Saint Augustine. The Eagles must get better offensively, especially in the running game. They are not as productive as in year's past and must remedy that quickly to keep up.

Prediction: St. Augustine 21, Santa Fe Christian 14

-- Scott Bair

Fallbrook at Poway

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: Fallbrook 1-2; Poway 4-0

Internet: kbcsports.com

Last meeting: In 2006, Poway one 24-6.

At a glance: The No. 2-ranked Titans are off to an excellent start. They have played in their fair share of close contests and have experience in high-pressure situations. They've also played in a few blowouts, as many expect this game to be. Poway's defense is top notch, and features what might be the finest secondary in the San Diego Section. RB Nick Ricciardulli has carried the load offensively while QB Tynan Murray gains experience in his first varsity season. Murray has shown signs of improvement, and continued progress means Poway will be even better than they already are. Fallbrook needs a solid effort from QB Saber Youman to stay competitive, but even that may not be enough to keep this game close.

Prediction: Poway 42, Fallbrook 14

-- Scott Bair

Eastlake at Oceanside

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: Eastlake 3-1; Oceanside 2-1

Last meeting: In 2006, Oceanside won 45-7.

At a glance: Oceanside leads the series 2-1. … The No. 3-ranked Pirates are coming off last week's bye after blasting Escondido two weeks ago. They will be without slot receiver Philip Wiglitton, who broke his thumb against Escondido, and LB Zeke Mauga, whose surgery repaired shoulder went out on him again. Mauga will be lost for the season, but Wiglitton may return in 4-6 weeks. … QB Jordan Wynn still leads North County in passing, going 45-for-71 for 753 yards and six TDs. WRs Lamont Enyard (12-209), Frankie Zimmerman (10-250) and Roy Tialavea (10-113) are all in double figures in receptions. … No. 7 Eastlake has won three straight after opening with a 27-14 loss at Poway. The Titans downed Steele Canyon 35-14 last week thanks to RB Jordan Koopman, who caught a TD pass and ran for a TD as the Titans built a 28-0 halftime lead. … The ground game is led by Will Duka, who has 55 carries for 371 yards and a TD, Jeremiah Andujo, who has 37 carries for 232 yards and four TDs and Koopman, who has 17 carries for 180 yards and two TDs. Andujo also leads the team in receptions with 14 for 230 yards and four more TDs. … QB Derek Witte has completed 35-of-62 for 5-1 yards and five TDs. He's also thrown five interceptions.

Prediction: Oceanside 28, Eastlake 17

-- Terry Monahan

Morse at Vista

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. today

Internet: HiTekRadio.com

Records: Morse 0-3; Vista 3-1

Last meeting: In 2005, Vista won 42-14.

At a glance: Vista, which has won the last nine meetings, leads the series 20-10. … The No. 8-ranked Panthers had one of the program's biggest wins in recent years with last week's 26-14 victory over Mission Viejo, ranked No. 9 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports before the game. … QB David Fisher rushed 16 times for 101 yards and a TD as well as going 13-for-18 passing for 132 yards and another TD in that win. Vista may also have discovered another running back in junior RB Daniel Sialoi, who carried eight times for 76 yards, mostly in the second half. … DE Brad Woodward sacked the quarterback on three consecutive plays in the final quarter, and helped hold the Diablos to 19 total yards after halftime. Woodward is tied for North County lead with six sacks. … Morse has been outscored 103-30 in losing to Crawford (22-16), Hoover (40-6) and Lincoln (41-8). The Tigers had a bye last week. … The Tigers rely on TB Bernard Ransom and quick QB Ahmad Robinson, who is more of a running threat. … FS Fetu Leomiti is Morse's top defensive player.

Prediction: Vista 49, Morse 0

-- Terry Monahan

Mira Mesa at La Costa Canyon

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: Mira Mesa 3-0; La Costa Canyon 1-2

Internet: kbcsports.com

Last meeting: In 2006, Mira Mesa won 28-7.

At a glance: The Mavericks go up against yet another quality opponent in the No. 4-ranked Marauders. It's the latest in a string of what is surely the most difficult nonleague schedule in North County. La Costa Canyon may fare better after a bye week, but it will still have a tough time against Mira Mesa's athletic rushing attack. The Marauders offensive scheme is rather elementary, yet still allows their athletes to shine. If MLB Jacob Driver and the rest of the Mavericks can sniff out the play, they may be able to slow Mira Mesa down and push ahead. RB Seth Hanson needs to have a big night to open up passing lanes for QB Jose Mohler.

Prediction: La Costa Canyon 24, Mira Mesa 20

-- Scott Bair

Mt. Carmel at Westview

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: Mt. Carmel 3-1; Westview 2-1

Last meeting: In 2006, Mt. Carmel won 23-17.

At a glance: Don't be fooled by the early date of this game -- This is a Rancho Penasquitos rivalry through and through. These teams don't like each other, which always produces high drama. Both teams are significantly improved, meaning quality football will be on display in this matchup of contrasting styles. Mt. Carmel moves the ball almost exclusively on the ground behind standout RB Joseph DeMartino, who had 247 yards and nine touchdowns in just four games. The Wolverines like to sling it around a bit more, and were more successful at it with new QB Steven Sousa, who went passing for 178 yards and a touchdown in his first start. These contests are always close. Expect another nailbiter this year.

Prediction: Mt. Carmel 28, Westview 27

-- Scott Bair

Carlsbad at Rancho Bernardo

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: Carlsbad 3-0; Rancho Bernardo 2-1

Last meeting: In 2006, Carlsbad won 40-16

At a glance: This game is full of good story lines. The Broncos are the last team to beat Carlsbad, albeit in 2005. That game was a 24-21 come-from-behind victory that Rancho Bernardo won on a last-second field goal. RB Nick Pascarella was a major reason why Rancho Bernardo was victorious that night. He's also a reason why No. 1-ranked Carlsbad -- where he transferred to in 2006 -- has gone on a 23-game unbeaten streak that includes a pair of CIF San Diego Section Division I championships. Pascarella and Rancho Bernardo QB Gerald Kemp are close friends, making this as tense experience for both. Whomever produces more should be the victor in this contest, although Pascarella has the advantage of a vastly superior defense on his side.

Prediction: Carlsbad 35, Rancho Bernardo 28

-- Scott Bair