Five things to watch this weekend: Mission Viejo (Calif.) vs. Long Beach Poly (Calif.)
This game matches two teams ranked in the ESPNHS Fab 50. The Diablos, ranked No. 34, have never lost to Poly in what has been a very one-sided rivalry up to this point. Mission Viejo embarrassed the Jackrabbits, No. 37 overall, on their home field a year ago in a 37-7 smack down that wasn't even that close. Poly's lone score came in the final 40 seconds against the Diablos' reserves. Both teams are littered with high-level FBS prospects and there could be as many as 15 players on the field, including underclassmen, who will play college ball. It's been well documented that the Jackrabbits have five players committed to Arizona State and all five are rated among the top 50 prospects in the state. Wide receivers Richard Smith and Josiah Blandin, corner Randall Goforth and linebackers Matt Rowe and Salamo Fiso are joined by Texas A&M commit Alonzo Williams to give the Jackrabbits one of the most talented teams in the region.The Diablos are led by a strong offensive line and one of the state's top power backs. Fullback Jahleel Pinner is a USC commit and offensive linemen Colby Cyburt and Austin Maas (SDSU commit) are two of the state's best. On the defensive side of the ball, standout junior safety Max Redfield is usually good for two or three big plays a game and potentially could be among the nation's most heavily-recruited defensive backs next year.Thompson to check out the Dawgs
It has been a bumpy year so far for Shaq Thompson (Sacramento, Calif./Grant), the top skill-position player in the West. He has battled numerous injuries all season and his Pacers squad has struggled on the field but he's looking forward to experiencing his first official visit this weekend.Thompson, who was an early commitment to Cal before decommitting just a month later, will check out the Washington Huskies. Ironically, the Huskies will be taking on Cal on Saturday in a key Pac-12 matchup. According to Thompson, the Huskies have recruited him harder than any other school and have a real shot to land the talented safety."I'm very interested in Washington and excited to get out there," Thompson said. "I have a good relationship with the DB coach there, Demetrice Martin, and they have been recruiting me since I was just a sophomore. I plan to take all five visits but this is the only one I have set up so far."Arizona State has huge weekend
The Sun Devils will be hosting USC this weekend and several top players from all over the region will be in town on official visits.Ironically, two of the players who will be visiting are currently committed to the Trojans. Linebackers Scott Starr (Norco, Calif./Norco) and Jabari Ruffin (Downey, Calif./Downey) will be in town as will Cal commit Bryce Treggs (Bellflower, Calif./St. John Bosco).Also visiting will be athlete D.J. Foster (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro) and offensive lineman Cedrick Poutasi (Las Vegas/Desert Pines). Foster is an especially key recruit for the Sun Devils. He's the No. 4-ranked player in the state and the word is ASU is the team to beat at this time. Poutasi is also high on the Sun Devils and a strong visit could elevate them to the top of his board as well.Oaks Christian vs. Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure