Previews and predictions for today’s top games. All games kick off at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

CHINO HILLS (1-0) at CHARTER OAK (1-0)

Outlook: The Huskies defeated the Chargers 21-17 last season and looked even better in last week’s season opener against Glendora, dominating with their defense in a 20-3 victory. Huskies quarterback Alex Medyn, a transfer from Orange Lutheran, threw for 204 yards and a touchdown and ran for a score. The Chargers, who reached the CIF-SS Division 8 title game last season, are loaded at the skill positions and it showed during their 44-8 rout of Canyon Country Canyon. Junior QB Corin Berry, a Boston College commit, threw for 293 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Legend Lyons, a University of Minnesota commit, caught six passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. There is a lot of pressure on the Chargers to live up to the hype of their No. 3 ranking in the San Gabriel Valley and this is just the type of game that can earn them their stripes.

The pick: Charter Oak

LA SERNA (0-1) vs. SCHURR (1-0) at California HS

Outlook: The Spartans finished 9-3 last season and had a defense that allowed only 12 points a game. But they lost in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 11 playoffs. Meanwhile, the Lancers won the CIF-SS Division 4 title and Division 3-AA state championship. So what are the two schools doing meeting a year later? For the Spartans, it’s a major step up and test. The Spartans returned nearly everyone from last year’s team, and their defense looked great again while shutting out South Pasadena 28-0 last week. Spartans QB Joseph Alvarado and RB Elias Navarro combined for three TDs and 321 yards. The Lancers graduated the bulk of their top players a year ago, and they lost to Damien 27-7 in their opener last week. The Lancers have two young sophomore quarterbacks, Jordan Bonilla and Grady Long, who are finding their footing. Their top back is also a sophomore, Daniel Moreno. They do have all-everything senior Kaimana Tufaga, a WR/DB whose handprints should be all over this one. Can the Spartans make it competitive? That’s what everyone wants to know.

The pick: La Serna

NOGALES (1-0) at ROWLAND (1-0)

Outlook: One of the area’s oldest rivalries, the Battle of the Tracks was won by the Nobles in overtime last year, 26-20. This year’s game figures to be another barnburner. Nogales, under new coach Matt Villasenor, routed Fontana Miller 49-14. The Nobles’ new quarterback, senior Tyler Lewis, a transfer from Castaic, threw for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns before leaving the game in the third quarter with an injury. Lewis’ availability is expected to be a game-time decision. The Raiders, under new coach Citos Marinez, were equally impressive as they routed Eastside 52-6 last week. The Raiders rushed for 251 yards as a team and Bryce Johnson led the way with 75 yards and three touchdowns. QB Damien Arriata threw for 176 yards and two TDs. Provided Lewis plays, he’s the real deal and gives the Nobles the edge it needs to pull it out.

The pick: Nogales

DAMIEN (1-0) at LOYOLA (0-1)

Outlook: The Spartans looked mighty impressive beating La Serna 27-7 last week and showed why they’re the top-ranked team in the San Gabriel Valley. Junior quarterback Isaiah Arriaza did his thing, throwing for 214 yards and three touchdowns, and the Spartans’ defense did the rest, limiting the Lancers running game to almost nothing. Spartans running back James Taylor ran for 110 yards and a touchdown and receivers Gavin Lannon, Travon Garrison and Raymond Ahumada Jr. each caught touchdown passes. The Spartans are still hopeful receiver Eric Osorio, a transfer from Bishop Amat, will clear the CIF-SS transfer portal, but they seem to have enough weapons regardless. Loyola struggled to score in a double-overtime loss to Cathedral 16-13 last week. The Spartans beat the Cubs 35-14 last year and seem poised to do it again.

The pick: Damien

BISHOP AMAT (1-0) at ST. PAUL (0-0)

Outlook: This game lived up to the hype last season with Bishop Amat winning 29-28. The Swordsmen failed to convert a two-point conversion with 30 seconds left that would have possibly won the game. The Lancers manhandled West Covina in their season opener last week, winning 49-6 behind Ryan Saucedo rushing for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Frankie Villalbazo threw for 168 yards and two TDs. The Swordsmen played a much tougher opponent and rallied from two scores down to beat Newport Harbor 21-17 on the road. QB Gabriel Castaneda, who threw for 136 yards and a TD, scored the game-winning TD on a sneak with 1:24 left. The Lancers have won seven straight against the Swordsmen and haven’t lost to them since the 2000 season. The Lancers lead the series with the Swordsmen 29-15-2. This will be Amat’s first trip to St. Paul and The Pit since 2013. The streak will end sooner or later. The Swordsmen should play out of their minds Friday and this could be the year it happens.

The pick: St. Paul

PASADENA (0-1) at SAN DIMAS (1-0)

Outlook: The Bulldogs went 0-10 last season and were hoping for a major turnaround after the return of former coach DeJuan Shamburger and a highly touted senior transfer, quarterback Hype Grand, who played at Orange last season. But Grand was ruled ineligible by the CIF-SS, and the Bulldogs struggled in a 24-14 loss to Cantwell-Sacred Heart. The Saints looked like a well-oiled machine routing Burbank 49-14. Julian Vigil needed only eight carries to rush for 158 yards and four touchdowns. Caleb Morquecho was big too, rushing for 135 yards and two TDs on 13 carries. The Saints rushed for 435 yards. QB Brandon Meredith completed 7 of 8 passes for 160 yards and a TD.

The pick: San Dimas

OTHER GAMES

Arcadia at South Pasadena; Covina vs. Baldwin Park at Covina District Field; Los Altos at West Covina; Artesia at Keppel; Bassett at Mountain View; California at Brea Olinda; Montebello at Cantwell-Sacred Heart; Desert Chapel vs. Workman at La Puente HS; El Rancho at Bell Gardens; Fullerton at Maranatha; Gabrielino at Temple City; Glendale at Duarte; Jurupa Hills vs. Glendora at Citrus College; La Canada at Crescenta Valley; La Salle at Xavier Prep; Mayfair at Diamond Ranch; Newport Harbor at La Habra; Northwood vs. Sonora at Portola HS; Ontario Christian at Bonita; Pomona at Garey; San Gabriel at Rosemead; Santa Fe at Norwalk; Sierra Vista at Arroyo; South El Monte at Bishop Montgomery; St. Francis at Mira Costa; Walnut at Montclair; Western at La Mirada; and Rio Hondo Prep at Pasadena Poly (Saturday), 11 a.m.

— Fred Robledo