Palos Verdes vs. Santa Monica football headlines 5 games to watch with early league title implications

A majority of high school football teams in Southern California, including the Southern and City Section, will begin league play this Friday at 7 p.m. (unless noted otherwise).

Here's a quick look at the top league games - many of them being openers - to keep an eye on, some of which have early league title implications.

Palos Verdes at Santa Monica

Palos Verdes and Santa Monica are both 5-0 heading into the Bay League opener Friday night.

Palos Verdes is led by freshman QB Ryan Rakowski, who's unbeaten as a starter, including an impressive win over Edison earlier this season. He's thrown seven TDs and just one INT. Rakowski's pass opportunities are set up by the running duo of Eric Mulkey and Hobbs Brannan.

Santa Monica possesses a more dynamic offense, especially through the air with sophomore QB Wyatt Brown, who's thrown for 1,139 yards and 11 TDs. However, the Vikings' schedule has not been as difficult as Palos Verdes'.

The pick: Palos Verdes

Freshman QB Ryan Rakowski is tough, talented and has Palos Verdes 4-0

Loyola at St. Francis

The winner of this matchup (at 7:30 p.m.) will earn an inside track for the Angelus League title, which would likely promote them to the Mission League next season due to league realignment.

St. Francis (4-1) is led by new junior QB John Sanders, who's a premier dual-threat impact with his arm and legs. He's tallied 16 TD passes and two rushing games over 100 yards this season. Senior Preston Jernegan is the team's top two-way player at tight end and linebacker.

Don't let Loyola's 1-4 record fool you. The Cubs are a tested bunch full of young talent ready to pop on any given weekend after going toe-to-toe with Damien, Oaks Christian, Chaminade and Leuzinger this season. The team's combined opponent record is 17-9.

The pick: St. Francis

Millikan at Long Beach Poly

This is the Moore League showdown that would likely be a winner-takes-all game if it was played in Week 10.

Poly's lone loss is to Bishop Gorman (NV), the No. 2-ranked team in the country. The Jackrabbits (4-1) are destined for the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs led by dynamic QB Darius Curry and rising sophomore wideout Kamarie Smith. Middle linebacker Dylan Williams is one of the best at his position in the country - he's headed to Oregon.

Millikan (4-2) has playmakers, too. Most notably wide receiver Ryan Pellum, a USC commit. The Rams have been tested, with games against Punahou (HI), St. Francis and Upland.

The pick: LB Poly

SBLive's Top 25 CIF Southern Section rankings

Birmingham at Granada Hills

Arguably the biggest game in the LA City Section will be in Granada Hills when the Highlanders (3-1-1) host Birmingham (3-2) in the West Valley League opener. The winner will certainly earn a leg up on the league title the rest of the way.

Last year, Birmingham edged Granada Hills 29-28.

Birmingham is led by Peyton Waters while Granada Hills is headlined by Darrell Stanley.

The pick: Birmingham

Ventura at Oxnard Pacifica

This week's 'TV game' on Bally's Sports Network will be a Channel League showdown between Ventura (4-2) and SBLive No. 13-ranked Pacifica (6-0), led by athlete Josh Joyner and QB Dominic Duran. Duran threw six touchdown passes and ran for another TD to pace Pacifica to a 68-7 win over Santa Barbara Dos Pueblos last week. Joyner had three touchdown receptions.

The pick: Pacifica

SBLive's LA City Section rankings

NOTABLE TOP LEAGUE MATCHUPS

In the Trinity League, St. John Bosco plays Santa Margarita at Saddleback College; Orange Lutheran is at JSerra; and Servite plays Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium.

In the Baseline League, Upland is at Damien and Chino Hills is at Etiwanda. Both games being played Thursday night.

In the Mission League, Bishop Amat is at Alemany; Chaminade is at Gardena Serra; and Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks is at Sierra Canyon.

In the Big West-Upper League, Chaparral is at Corona Centennial and Norco is at Vista Murrieta Thursday night. Eastvale Roosevelt is at Murrieta Valley Friday night.