Ayala wins Battle For the Bone — Top 10 Southern California football game roundup (9/15/23)

Serra (Gardena), St. Bonaventure, Ayala, and San Clemente are among the big winners of the week

Author:
Lance Smith, SBLive Sports and Mitch Stephens, SBLive Sports
Updated:
Sep 16, 2023 9:37 AM EDT
Original:
Sep 16, 2023

Here's a quick look at the Top 10 games from Southern California for Week Four (games Sept. 14-16). Check back throughout the night and weekend for scores and updates.

SCORES Sept. 14-16:

LA City Section: Thursday, Friday, Saturday

San Diego Section: Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Southern Section: Thursday, Friday, Saturday

10. San Clemente 31, Edison (Huntington Beach) 7

After trailing 7-0 one quarter in, San Clemente scored the last 31 points for a statement win over Edison. Riley Kelley recorded a pair of interceptions and Aiden Ruben a pair of touchdowns for the Tritons, who are off to a 4-0 start for the third time in the last four seasons.

9. Mission Viejo 34, Los Alamitos 28 (3OT)

This battle between top-ranked two public school teams in Orange County clearly should've been higher up on the weekly countdown. Mission Viejo outlasted Los Alamitos 34-28 in three overtimes, winning on a 4-yard touchdown run by Hinesward Lilomaiava. Sophomore receiver Vance Spafford scored three touchdowns for the Mission Viejo.

8. Lincoln (San Diego) 34, Cajon 0

Another week, another statement win for Lincoln. The reigning CIF 1-AA State champions used a 20-0 first quarter to win 34-0 against a Cajon team that hadn't lost a regular season game to a California opponent in over four calendar years.

7. St. Bonaventure 23, Oak Hills 21

Sweet revenge. St. Bonaventure fell twice to Oak Hills last season, including in the playoffs, and came into Week Four as the underdog after injuries played a part in the team's 2-2 start. But the Seraphs responded by handing Oak Hills its first regular season loss in over two calendar years. St. Bonaventure dominated the first quarter 16-0, led 23-0, and held on to win despite getting shut out in the second half.

6. Clovis North 23, JSerra 7

Clovis North JSerra Catholic by Chris Aguirre 1 2 — Photo by Chris Aguirre

In what some would call the upset of the week, JSerra fell to the top-ranked team in the Central Section, Clovis North, 23-7 some 300 miles from home. Clovis North's defense stole the show as the Broncos kept JSerra off the board until the final minutes of the game.

MORE: PHOTO GALLERY

5. Upland 27, Apple Valley 20

What seems to be the best Upland team since the Justin Flowe days is now 4-1 after surviving a late push from Apple Valley. The Sun Devils trailed 20-6 at halftime but had the ball around midfield down a score before Upland sealed the game with a turnover on downs with about a minute left.

4. Ayala 42, Chino Hills 28

For the sixth straight season, Ayala has defeated crosstown rival Chino Hills in the annual Battle For The Bone. After winning four of the last five by four points or fewer, the Bulldogs made a statement with a 42-28 win. 3-star ATH prospect Marquis Monroe ran for three touchdowns for Ayala, including one from 53 yards.

3. Rancho Cucamonga 31, Bishop Amat 20

Rancho Cucamonga is 5-0 for the first time since 2017 with a 31-20 win over Bishop Amat. Jonah Dawson caught two touchdowns and totaled at least 175 receiving yards, and Trey Wilson had two rushing touchdowns for the Cougars, including a fourth quarter dagger from midfield. Bishop Amat 3-star ATH prospect Richie Muñoz threw for a touchdown, ran for a touchdown, and grabbed an interception.

2. Serra (Gardena) 26, Oaks Christian 13

Week Three was brutal for Serra, who called their home game against Long Beach Poly at halftime while trailing 28-14 due to crowd control issues. In Week Four, they responded with a 26-13 home win against higher-ranked Oaks Christian led by Cincere Rhaney's 217 yards and two touchdowns rushing. Serra was without top receiver Zacharyus Williams, and Oaks Christian continues to be without starting quarterback and Baylor commit Nate Bennett.

1. Sierra Canyon 40, Orange Lutheran 7

For the second time this season, what was supposed to be the top game of the week in SoCal ended in a Sierra Canyon blowout win. The Trailblazers thrashed Orange Lutheran, which was without 4-star quarterback TJ Lateef, by a score of 40-6. Orange Lutheran second-string signal caller Alex Medyn, a sophomore, would also leave the game to an injury. Wyatt Becker tossed for two touchdowns and 188 yards for Sierra Canyon.

READ: SIERRA CANYON ROUTS OLU, IS READY FOR FIRST D1 PLAYOFFS