Sierra Canyon vs. Orange Lutheran football headlines top 5 games for Week 4

Sierra Canyon and Orange Lutheran will face off for the first time since 2021 playoff semifinal.

Here are the Top 5 Southern California high school football games to watch in Week 4 (September 14-16).

All games are schedule for 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Sierra Canyon (3-0) vs. Orange Lutheran (3-1)

This game could have CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoff implications.

It may not determine which team is in or out, but it could impact seeding, which impacts the first-round matchup. As it stands now (way too early in the season), Sierra Canyon and Orange Lutheran are hovering amid the 4-8 spots in the eight-team field. A win Friday night could help to avoid playing a juggernaut like No. 1 Mater Dei, No. 2 St. John Bosco or No. 3 Corona Centennial down the road.

Sierra Canyon is No. 5 and Orange Lutheran is No. 6 in the latest SBLive Top 25 rankings. In the Calpreps.com rankings, which determines the seedings on the weekend after Week 10, Sierra Canyon is No. 4 and Orange Lutheran is No. 6.

The two teams have met only once before. Orange Lutheran edged the Trailblazers 42-40 in the CIF-SS Division 2 semifinals at Pierce College in 2021. The Lancers went on to win the Division 2 title with a comeback 38-35 comeback win over Alemany.

• TJ Lateef, Orange Lutheran showing promise

It's also worth noting, Orange Lutheran is coming off a road loss to Chandler in Arizona. Sierra Canyon is coming off a bye week.

Sierra Canyon's Wyatt Becker and Orange Lutheran's TJ Lateef are a pair of the best junior quarterbacks in the Southland.

Note: This game will be played at Orange Coast College.

Oaks Christian (2-1) at Gardena Serra (2-2)

Talent and speed everywhere. That sums up this matchup.

No. 12 Serra is coming off 28-14 loss to No. 4 Long Beach Poly, but only one half was played due to crowd control issues. The authorities called the game for safety concerns. 

The Cavs are loaded with talent, including junior quarterback Jimmy Butler, senior running back Cincere Rhaney, senior wideout Zacharyus Williams, and standout linebacker Noa Keohuloa.

No. 14-ranked Oaks Christian is led by rising sophomore running back DeShonne Redeaux, along with wide receiver tandem of Chase Farrell (Stanford commit) and Justice Williams (Washington). On defense, the Lions are highlighted by gifted edge rusher Hayden Lowe, hard-hitting linebacker Christian Knoos and rising defensive back Devon Benjamin, who's already earned a 4-star rating as a sophomore.

Oaks Christian's only loss is to Sierra Canyon.

Los Alamitos (3-1) at Mission Viejo (3-1)

The loser of this game might look back at the end of the season and realize it might've determined their CIF-SS Division 1 playoff fate.

Los Alamitos (No. 13) is looking to bounce back from a surprising 28-24 loss to No. 24 Servite last week, but will have to do it on the road at No. 8 Mission Viejo, led by physical runner Hinesward Lilomaiava. Lilomaiava is up to 338 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Los Alamitos is on a steady diet of new quarterback Alonzo Esparza and standout two-way player Anthony League, a junior linebacker and running back.

Etiwanda (4-0) at Glendora (4-0)

The battle of unbeatens in a 210-freeway showdown.

Etiwanda quarterback Dermaricus Davis has the No. 16 Eagles soaring high after throwing for 805 yards and seven touchdowns on 61 of 81 passing (75%). The efficiency has benefitted leading wideout Jaden Landrum, who's tallied 280 yards on 23 catches with three touchdowns.

Glendora is walking into its toughest test thus far, and will lean on senior quarterback Eric Najarro and senior two-way player Decker Degraaf at defensive back and wideout. Najarro is up to 14 passing touchdowns with just two picks. Degraaf is the team's leading receiver and second-best tackler.

Note: This game will be played at Citrus College.

St. John Bosco (4-0) at Hawaii Kahuku (3-1)

The No. 2-ranked Braves will look to stay unbeaten against the Red Raiders, who tried their hand against No. 1 Mater Dei last week in a 55-8 drumming. St. John Bosco quarterback Caleb Sanchez has proven he's the man for the job as a first-year starter, throwing for 1,111 yards and seven touchdowns.

Note: This is a Saturday game played in Hawaii.