It’s been more than a century since Nordhoff and Santa Paula highs first faced each other on a football field.
And the old foes agree, the matchup is just like looking into a mirror.
Although the image has
changed over the years.
“We’ve both translated over to being pass-heavy teams,” said Nordhoff coach Dillon Lowen.
The Rangers (3-0) and host Cardinals (2-1), who first played each other in 1924, meet for the first time in three years on Friday, Sept. 11, at Jones Field.
The resumption of the Route 150 rivalry promises to be entertaining.
Santa Paula junior Rene Vega has thrown for 753 yards, seven TDs and one interception, and also run for another 154 yards.
“Looking at them, it’s honestly two very similar teams,” Lowen said. “They have a very athletic quarterback who has an incredible arm. Vega is an absolutely stud of an athlete.
“Our defense has been firing on all cylinders. … It’s going to be a lot of flying around. It’ll be super fun.”
Nordhoff quarterback Michael Dennie has thrown for 959 yards, 15 TDs and two interceptions through three games. The senior has thrown TDs to five different receivers.
“They’re 3-0 and riding high,” said Santa Paula coach Mike Montoya. “They’ve got a good quarterback. It’s a good challenge for us. … We’re looking forward to it.”
A split schedule this week provides all-local matchups both Thursday and Friday.
On Thursday, Sept. 10, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks meet in the Conejo Valley Championship rivalry, while Rio Mesa visits Agoura.
Friday’s games include Ventura traveling to Camarillo, Fillmore visiting Grace and Del Sol’s first meeting at Oxnard.
Onto the Week 3 picks. Let’s see how much Joe Knows.
Thursday, Sept. 10
Newbury Park 31, Thousand Oaks 21: The Lancers ended the Panthers’ three-game streak in the Conejo championship rivalry last year, 17-7.
Westlake 35, Laguna Beach 21: Six-foot-1 senior Brady Stringham has caught six of Laguna Beach’s nine TDs this season.
Agoura 28, Rio Mesa 21: The teams are tied 13-13 in the series, which dates back to 1970. This is their first meeting since 2009.
Moorpark 41, West Ranch 14: West Ranch has completed just 40% of its passes this season, for one TD and five interceptions.
Saugus 31, Hueneme 17: After sweeping five matchups with local teams last year, Saugus has already split with Agoura and Camarillo this season.
Oak Park 35, Castaic 7: Castaic sophomore Cody King has completed 66% of his passes for seven TDs, one interception and also leads the team in rushing yardage.
Calabasas 27, Birmingham 13: Calabasas quarterback Dominick Hardy is off to quite a start to his senior season, amassing 1,085 yards of total offense and nine total TDs for the 3-0 Coyotes.
Friday
Ventura 29, Camarillo 28: The Cougars have won this matchup the past three seasons, scoring 35, 35 and 38 points.
Buena 28, San Marcos 26: The Bulldogs have won the last 16 meetings, dating back to 2007.
Del Sol 21, Oxnard 20: The first meeting between Oxnard Union High School District foes.
Grace 35, Fillmore 31: Fillmore put up a season-high 54 points in last year’s 94-point thriller.
Nordhoff 42, Santa Paula 41: Nordhoff leads the series, which dates back to 1924, 32-27.
St. Bonaventure 28, Central Catholic 17: The Modesto school won the rematch of the 2007 CIF-State Division III championship bowl 15-14 last year.
Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks 28, Oaks Christian 14: Tahj Skinner has thrown for seven TDs and one interception for Evan Yabu’s Knights.
Simi Valley 31, Spanish Springs 21: Six-foot-4 senior George Deacon Buddy has six TDs on nine catches for the Reno school.
Pacifica 45, Highland 21: The Palmdale school may be 0-3 with only 27 points scored, but those losses were to powerhouses Oak Hills, Apple Valley, and Santa Margarita.
Taft 27, Channel Islands 14: Junior Jacob Southall has rushed for 413 yards and four TDs on 38 carries for Taft.
Santa Clara 27, Hollywood 7: Hollywood has completed just nine passes through three games.
Last week: 15-5 (.750),
This season: 47-11 (.810).
Joe Curley — aka Jostradamus — writes The Star’s high school football picks column. He can be reached at joe.curley@vcstar.com. Follow him at @vcsjoecurley on Twitter/X, Instagram/Threads and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Jostradamus picks a high-scoring Route 150 showdown in Week 3
