Daily News football Top 10 (plus 5 more to watch) for Week 6
DAILY NEWS FOOTBALL TOP 10
1. Sierra Canyon (5-0)
Wyatt Becker scored eight touchdowns in a win over Saguaro of Arizona, showing the strength of the offense on a team that has been anchored by its dominating defense. Becker’s seven passing touchdowns set a program record and each touchdown pass was to a different receiver. On defense, Carnell Ferguson had three tackles for a loss and a sack. Marquis Gallegos and Madden Riordan each pulled down an interception.
Next: vs. Notre Dame, Friday
2. Chaminade (3-2)
The Eagles had a bye week after winning two straight games against Cathedral and Loyola. Dual-threat quarterback Seth Shigg will lead Chaminade into Mission League play with 754 passing yards and five passing touchdowns to his name in addition to 433 rushing yards and five rushing TDs.
Next: at Serra, Friday
3. Oaks Christian (3-2)
The Lions ended their nonleague schedule with a win over Loyola to finish above .500 heading into Marmonte League play. Senior quarterback and Baylor commit Nate Bennett made his return for Oaks Christian after being out three games with an injury. He completed 9 of 11 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. Special teams and defense came up big, as well — Deshonne Redeaux had an 88-yard kick return for a touchdown and Davon Benjamin grabbed a fumble and ran it 80 yards for a touchdown.
Next: at Calabasas, Friday
4. Newbury Park (4-1, 2-0 Canyon League)
UCLA football coach Chip Kelly visited Newbury Park after it beat Thousand Oaks 54-42, according to a post on X by Panthers coach Joe Smigiel. Quarterback Brady Smigiel already has thrown for 1,700 yards and 29 touchdowns and has three reliable receivers in Beau Smigiel, Landon Bell and Shane Rosenthal.
Next: at Moorpark, Friday
5. St. Francis (4-1)
The Golden Knights are riding a two-game win streak heading into their league opener against Loyola. They are led by quarterback John Sanders, running back John Calmette and two-way player Preston Jernegan at tight end/linebacker.
Next: Loyola, Friday
6. Notre Dame (4-1)
Junior quarterback Steele Pizzella took an unofficial game visit to Utah during Notre Dame’s bye week and has thrown for 1,207 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for another three touchdowns this season. Erikas Puodziunas is the Knights’ leading receiver and Brandon Bryant leads the defense with an average of 10 tackles per game and four sacks. They’ll have perhaps their toughest game of the season against Sierra Canyon this week.
Next: at Sierra Canyon, Friday
7. Valencia (5-1, 2-0 Foothill League)
The Vikings broke in their new turf field by earning their second straight Foothill League win. Senior quarterback Jackson Askins threw three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 48-14 win over Castaic. Tony Testa caught two of those touchdown passes. Askins and Testa both rushed for a touchdown, as did sophomore Brian Bonner. Corner Jordan Cardenas logged four tackles for a loss and two pass deflections.
Next: at Golden Valley, Friday
8. Agoura (5-0, 1-0 Canyon League)
Agoura is unbeaten and out to its best start since 2006. It’s most recent wins against Calabasas and Camarillo were gritty and it won’t get any easier against Newbury Park.
Next: at Newbury Park, Oct. 6
9. Birmingham (3-2)
The Patriots added a national game to their schedule to finish out nonleague play by traveling to Texas to play Steele, the reigning District League champion. Birmingham scored only one touchdown, but is battle-tested going into West Valley League play.
Next: at Granada Hills Charter, Friday
10. West Ranch (4-2, 2-0 Foothill League)
The Wildcats shut out Saugus on Friday for back-to-back league wins. Junior running back Luke Deperno rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns and receivers Andrew Hamilton and Zach Wyre each had one touchdown reception apiece. On defense, Dakoda Darby and Max Piccolino each recorded a sack.
Next: vs. Hart, Friday
NEXT 5 TO WATCH
Calabasas (2-3): The Coyotes came out of their bye week to beat Oxnard and get back in the win column. Alonzo Contreras completed 21 of 25 passes for 286 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Danye Brown caught four passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore linebacker Max Avshalomov led the defense with eight total tackles, two tackles for a loss, a sack and a caused fumble.
Next: vs. Oaks Christian, Friday
Cleveland (4-1)
The Cavaliers hold a winning record that includes one shutout heading into West Valley League play this week. Colorado State commit Kory Hall leads the receiving corps with 481 yards and six touchdowns. Donovan Powell provides support on the ground with 461 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Next: vs. Taft, Friday
Hart (4-1, 1-0 Foothill League)
Hart snapped its losing streak against Golden Valley on Friday, beating the Grizzlies 42-9. Running back Chris Clauss had two rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns and fourth-year starting quarterback Timmy Larkins threw four touchdown passes.
Next: vs. West Ranch, Friday
Paraclete (5-0)
The Spirits went unbeaten in nonleague play and haven’t given up more than 14 points in any game. Takai Brown has rushed for 388 yards and four touchdowns and has two additional receiving TDs.
Next: vs. L.A. Cathedral, Friday
Thousand Oaks (3-3, 1-1 Canyon League)
The Lancers put up 42 points in a loss to Newbury Park on Friday night after beating Oak Park 41-13 in the week prior. Thousand Oaks tallied three interceptions against the Panthers, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
Next: vs. Royal, Friday