The start of Channel League play in football means one thing — every game is big.
Over the next five weeks, the six teams in the league will be playing for shots at the title and spots in the CIF-Southern Section division playoffs.
For Santa Barbara High and San Marcos, the road to those goals starts Friday with the “Big Game.” The crosstown rivals meet for the 60th time at 7 p.m. at SBCC’s La Playa Stadium.
Santa Barbara has won the last four meetings and leads the series 35-24.
Elsewhere, Dos Pueblos opens Channel League play against Cabrillo at Lompoc’s Huyck Stadium, and both teams will be looking for their first win of the season.
Lompoc travels down Highway 246 to face longtime rival Santa Ynez in a Channel League opener.
Bishop Diego kicks off its second year in the rugged Camino League against Division 3 No. 2-ranked and undefeated Grace Brethren at Moorpark College. Grace is ranked 10th in the state by MaxPreps.
Carpinteria plays its third game in the Citrus Coast League, hosting Hueneme.
Santa Barbara coach J.T. Stone isn’t getting caught up in “Big Game” hype. To him, what’s important is winning all games in league.
“I told the kids that I could care less that it’s the Big Game,” Stone told reporters this week. “None of that matters to me. What’s important is gaining momentum for league. We have to come out and play well because we’ll next face a Santa Ynez team that beat us last year.
“I tell the kids to be mindful of that, what the momentum of this game does for us. But don’t get me wrong, I think San Marcos is going to come out and play their behinds off.”
The Big Game will feature two quality quarterbacks in junior Deacon Hill of Santa Barbara and senior Ben Partee of San Marcos.
Partee has better numbers after five games. He’s passed for 1,250 yards and 11 touchdowns and completed 65 percent of his throws. Senior Josh Brown, his favorite target, has caught 40 passes for 631 yards and 10 TDs.
Hill has just over 1,000 yards passing and nine TDs. Jackson Gonzales and Jake Knecht have been the favored receivers, but Dakota Hill and Moki Nacario are also deep threats.
San Marcos (2-3) has the edge in the running game behind Henry Herrera. The senior has gained 506 yards on 103 carries and scored eight touchdowns,
Santa Barbara (3-2), ranked fifth in CIF-SS Division 8, has the advantage on defense. The athletic unit is battle tested playing against opponents like Ventura, St. Bonaventure and Pacifica.
San Marcos will need to be sharp in all phases to give Partee and Herrera chances to make plays and keep pace with Santa Barbara.
“It’s going to take a great team effort,” San Marcos coach Jason Fowle said of playing against the Dons. “We need to have great ball security, execute well and capitalize on opportunities offensively, limit the big plays on defense and play with great effort and discipline on special teams.”
The Pick: Santa Barbara
Bishop Diego (3-2) vs. Grace Brethren (5-0, No. 2 in CIF-SS Div. 3) at Moorpark College, 7 p.m. (Radio: AM 1290) — The injury situation didn’t change much for the Cardinals after a bye week. Jackson Haskell is expected to start at quarterback while the availability of QB Michael Luckhurst will be a game-time decision, said coach Tom Crawford. The team is still without a couple of big linemen, but Zack Lopez is expected to be back on the field.
Grace will be a handful; the team is experienced and plays physical. The Lancers have beaten Oaks Christian and Westlake. Their defense has been stellar; the unit has racked up 23 sacks in five games.
“In order to beat them, we have to avoid turnovers that we had in the last contest and control the clock and ball on offense to limit their possessions,” said Crawford. “Defensively, we will have to continue to play very physical and not give up the big plays, which they feed off of.”
The Pick: Grace Brethren
Dos Pueblos (0-5) vs. Cabrillo (0-5), at Lompoc’s Huyck Stadium, 7 p.m. — Now is the time for the Chargers to step up and “embrace the chase,” as coach Doug Caines calls this year’s campaign. The Chargers showed improvement on a defense against a very good Righetti team. Running back Conner Lee needs to get more touches. He is explosive in the open field.
Cabrillo has struggled on defense.
The Pick: Dos Pueblos.
Lompoc (3-2, No. 10 in Div. 5) at Santa Ynez (2-3), 7 p.m. — After their impressive win over St. Joseph last week, the Braves are right on schedule to begin defense of their Channel League title. Santa Ynez limps into the league opener. The Pirates are banged up on the line. The status of standout defenders Tyler Germani and Dean Tipolt are game-time decisions, said coach Josh McClurg.
The Pick: Lompoc
Hueneme (2-4, 0-0) at Carpinteria (1-4, 0-2), 7 p.m. — The injury-riddled Warriors will battle their hearts out in this Citrus Coast League game, but Hueneme’s size will wear them down. It’s the league opener for the Vikings.
The Pick: Hueneme
— Noozhawk Sports Editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.