HIGH SCHOOL football isn’t just about what’s on the gridiron. Above, Garden Grove High’s spirit ladies stand tall (Orange County Tribune photo).

There’s an old coaching adage: “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.”

Some local team high school football teams will get the chance to measure themselves against ranked teams this week.

Edison (2-2) is rated seventh in Orange County and will host San Clemente (3-1), the 10th-ranked team in a non-league contest Friday night at Sheue Field at Huntington Beach High.

Orange (1-2), rated 14th, will take on Capistrano Valley (3-1), the 17th-ranked team on Friday.  Garden Grove (2-1) will host El Toro (4-0) on Friday. The Chargers are rated 22nd.

But some games seem quite the opposite. Buena Park (0-4) will play Pacifica (3-0) on Thursday in what might be the blowout of the week.

Edison’s Chargers still have the juice

As they have been all season, Edison High’s football team is ranked number one in The Tribune’s High Five for area schools. Moving into second place is Orange, with Huntington Beach staying in third. Pacifica has settled into fourth and Garden Grove is back in the Five, in fifth.

Also looking strong are Rancho Alamitos, Santiago and Westminster.

Standouts on the gridiron

Here are some of the eye-catching performances in area high school football last week.

• Parker Awad of Edison passed for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the Chargers’ win over Palos Verdes.
• Dominick Brito of Garden Grove returned an interception 101 yards and a punt 55 yards – both for touchdowns – in the Argonauts’ win over Gahr. He also caught four passes for 41 yards and ended up with 283 all-purpose yards.
• Darius Cowens of Pacifica passed for 299 yards and a touchdown for the Mariners in their win over Canyon. He also rushed for 158 yards and three scores.
• Ed “Jun” Ramos of Pacifica rushed for 177 yards and four touchdowns.
• Blake Miller of Huntington Beach passed for 324 yards and two scores in the Oilers’ loss to El Toro.
• Daniel Gonzales of Santiago passed for 131 yards and two touchdowns in the Cavaliers’ win over Estancia.
• Vany Rodriguez of Garden Grove passed for 174 yards and two scores as the Argos beat Gahr.

Week Four’s high school football menu

Thursday

• Buena Park (0-4) at Pacifica (3-0) at Bolsa Stadium
• Bolsa Grande (2-1) at Saddleback (2-1)
• Western (2-2) at Artesia (0-3)
• Marina (1-3) at Huntington Beach (2-2)

Friday

• El Toro (4-0) at Garden Grove (2-1)
• San Clemente (3-1) at Edison (2-2)
• Savanna (1-3) at Westminster (3-0)
• Loara (2-2) at Anaheim (0-3) at Glover Stadium
• Walnut (1-2) at Ocean View (1-3)
• La Quinta (0-3) at Estancia (1-2)
• Los Amigos (2-1) at Costa Mesa (1-2)
• Santiago (3-0) at Magnolia (2-1)
• Orange (1-2) at Capistrano Valley (3-1)
• Godinez (1-2) at Rancho Alamitos (2-1) at Bolsa Stadium.

As always, game locations, opponents, times, dates, etc. are subject to change without notice. If you’re planning to attend, check with the school.

Ten teams are rated terrific

In this week’s polls from the CIF-SS for girls’ volleyball and boys’ water polo, nine local teams are noted.

In v-ball, Huntington Beach isn’t ranked in Divisions 1 and 2, but received some votes. Edison is eighth in Division 3. In Division 8, Bolsa Grande is sixth and Garden Grove ninth.

In polo, Huntington Beach is first in Division 1. Edison is fourth in Division 2 and Marina places fourth in Division 4. Los Amigos is unranked in Division 5, but received some votes. In Division 6, Westminster is second and La Quinta seventh.

“Prep Sport Spotlight” is posted on Tuesdays during the high school athletic year. Coaches, parents, fans and players are encouraged to send us news, results, rosters, photos, etc. to orangecountytribune@gmail.com .