Friday Night Lights – A Look into the Future of Cal Football Part VI (The Midway Point)
We are halfway through the high school football season, thus we are half way through our series diving into the matchups and results of Cal Football's 2026 recruitment class
First and foremost, we skipped a week. With Cal Football taking a bye week, lots of Byes in the high school slate of games, and my first “vacation” (watching my partner finish the Chicago Marathon!) lined up in over a year, I figured it was best to lump these last two weeks together, rather than produce someone half-baked.
With that in mind, this weekend’s edition of Friday Night Lights had some shocking upsets to undefeated seasons, some future Golden Bears going head-to-head, some injuries, and a decommit following the embarrassing loss against Duke for Cal’s homecoming game. Let’s get right into it, shall we?
Taimane Purcell - 4/5-Star (90 OVR) - TE - Kamehameha (Honolulu, HI) – 10.4.2025: Hallelujah. We have Hawaiian High Schools actually posting their stats on ScoringLive after games. It’s a miracle. Cal’s highest-ranked 2026 commit, Taimane Purcell, and the Kamehameha Warriors faced off against fellow Cal commits Huihui-White and Lopes and the Saint Louis Crusaders, with the Warriors coming out on top 28-21. Purcell led the Warriors with 64 receiving yards on 5 receptions and a TD, while also picking up a tackle and a pass deflection on the defensive side of play.
10.10.2025: Bye Week!
Victor Santino - RB - 3/5-Star (89 OVR) - Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, CA) – DNP: Season Forfeited.
Nemyah Telona - DL - De La Salle (Concord, CA) – 10.3.2025: Telona and the De La Salle Spartans hosted the Cathedral Catholic Dons (San Diego) in Concord last Friday and sent them home with their first loss of the season. Nemyah Telona was activated for the game after being injured in the Spartans’ previous game, and immediately went back to being a difference maker on defense. Telona picked up 5 total tackles against the Dons (2 solo and 3 assisted) with 1.5 yards tackle-for-loss, as well as a half-sack that he shared with his teammate Peli Pasa. The Bay Area’s powerhouse program improved to 6-0 after the game and is ranked No. 20 9n the nation, and No. 6 in the state of California.
10.10.2025: Bye Week!
Cam Brooks - EDGE - 3/5-Star (88 OVR) - Thomas County Central (Thomasville, GA) – 10.3.2025: Cam Brooks had a queiter night than usual for the 3-star EDGE out of Thomasville, GA, collecting only 1 single tackle (solo) and 3 QB hurries in the Yellow Jackets’ 48-0 conference-win over the Veterans High School Warhawks in Kathleen, GA. The Yellow Jackets improved to 7-0 and are now the No. 7-ranked program in the state of Georgia.
10.10.2025: Bye Week!
Kamo’i Huihui-White - IOL - 3/5-Star (88 OVR) - St. Louis (Honolulu, HI) – 10.4.2025: While the Saint Louis Crusaders dropped their matchup against Taimane Purcell and the Kamehameha Warriors, Kamo’i Huihui-White and the offensive line were only able to help generate 86 rushing yards while giving up just 1 sack.
10.11.2025: The Crusaders bounced back last weekend against the Punahou Buffanblu with a 31-6 win on the road. Kamo’i Huihui-White and the offensive line were able to help produce just 118 rushing yards on offense for only one touchdown, while Lopes had the time to pass for 2 TDs, and the QB room gave up 3 INT on the day. The Buffanblu defense broke through the offensive line once for 1 sack and were able to get 3.5 TFL yards.
Nainoa Lopes - QB - 3/5-Star (88 OVR) - St. Louis (Honolulu, HI) – 10.4.2025: Lopes had a hectic night against the Kamehameha Warriors, completing 34 passes on 48 attempts with 3 TDs and 2 INTs in the Crusaders’ 21-28 loss. The 6’4”, 190 lb QB also took 0 sacks from the Warrior defense, but it was not enough to overcome the 7-point loss.
10.11.2025: While the Crusaders had a great bounce-back win against the Punahou Buffanblu, Lopes struggled. Lopes completed 8 passes on 19 attempts with 1 TD and 2 INT before being benched for his fellow QBS, Senior Mose Lilo, and Freshman Luke Shigeta. Lopes finished the day with 144 passing yards and 10 rushing yards on 6 attempts as the Crusaders improved to 5-2 on the season.
EJ Morgan - WR - 3/5-Star (88 OVR) - Central East (Fresno, CA) – 10.2.2025: A Thursday night lights varsity football game?! My East Bay high school would have protested this game’s timeslot. Nonetheless, that’s what EJ Morgan and the Central East Bengals got as they traveled across town to Clovis North, where they dominated and handed the Broncos a 56-13 loss. Morgan continues to show up and show out as the Senior WR brought in 4 receptions for 70 yards (and a 26-yard longest reception) and a touchdown as the Bengals continue to win and rise in the CA rankings amidst a loaded Central Section region.
10.10.2025: Getting a home game last week, the Central East Bengals hosted the Clovis East Timberwolves at home, and nothing changed but the date. The Bengals won 50-20, and Morgan had himself another great game. Morgan brought in 8 receptions for 66 yards (averaging 8.3 yards per catch and a longest reception of 24 yards) and secured his 5th touchdown of the season. The Bengals are now the No. 18 team in the state of California and are ranked No. 151 in the nation.
Tyree Sams - WR - 3/5-Star (87 OVR) - Clovis North (Clovis, CA) – 10.2.2025: Central East winning means that Clovis North had to lose, and with that, Tyree Sams still had himself one heck of a game. The Senior WR saw the most usage and targets of any player on the Broncos squad, as Sams brought in 10 receptions for 132 yards and 1 TD, rushed for 3 yards on 1 carry, and received a kickoff for 9 yards and a punt return for 31 yards in the Bengals’ 56-13 blowout win over the Clovis North Broncos.
10.10.2025: The Broncos went from winning their first 5 games with only one of those wins not being by a double-digit margin, to losing two in a row after losing their second consecutive game of the season, this time to the Clovis High School Cougars. The 13-56 loss to the Central East Bengals was one bad thing, but a 7-45 loss to Clovis High is a whole new realm for the Broncos, as Sams was only able to bring in 5 receptions for a total of 9 yards. Sams was brought in on defense to try and minimize some of the damage and ultimately picked up a single solo tackle on the evening, but that was all for him on the night as the Broncos fell to 5-2.
Ernest Nunley - S - 3/5-Star (87 OVR) - Western (Anaheim, CA) – 10.3.2025: Ernest Nunley and Western came off the Bye Week and blew out a win over San Dimas to face Capistrano Valley at home and lost 14-41. The Senior Safety and Cal-commit picked up 4 solo tackles on the evening, and that was all as the Pioneers lost their second game of the season.
10.10.2025: Western could not bounce back from their loss against Capistrano Valley in their next game against El Modena, as the Pioneers fell 21-28. Nunley did have himself a decent game, as the Senior DB collected 8 total tackles (5 solo and 3 assisted) in the Friday night conference matchup.
Jonathan McKinley II - LB - 3/5-Star (87 OVR) - Centennial (Corona, CA) – 10.2.2025: The Centennial Huskies continue to dominate their opponents as they picked up a 62-20 win over the Roosevelt High School Mustangs on October 2nd. While the Huskies pulled away easily in this one, Cal-commit Jonathan McKinley II did not play.
10.10.2025: Keeping their foot on the pedal and never on the brakes, the Huskies moved on to their matchup against the Vista Murrieta Broncos and beat them 63-14. Jonathan McKinley II was activated for this game and picked up 3 total tackles (2 solo, 1 assisted).
Esaiah Wong - OT - 3/5-Star (87 OVR) - Kailua (Kailua, HI) – 10.4.2025: The Surfriders improved their winning streak to 3 games as they shut out the Moanalua Na Menehune 38-0. Esaiah Wong and the O-Line were lights out, helping generate 221 rushing yards on offense and creating enough time and space for their QB to throw for 163 yards and 2 TDs – as well as allowing 0 sacks and tackles for loss.
10.10.2025: Kailua did not stop there, as their winning streak extended to 4 games with a 49-3 win over the Radford Rams. The Surfriders’ offense was able to rush for 123 yards and 2 TDs, as Wong and the O-Line allowed only 1.0 yards TFL, 1 sack, and allowed their QB to throw for 204 yards and 4 TDs on the evening.
Jaxon Pyatt - LB - 3/5-Star (87 OVR) - Arvada West (Arvada, CO) – 10.3.2025: Jaxon Pyatt was in town for the Duke @ Cal game on October 4th, and while the Golden Bears did not show up against the Blue Devils, Pyatt picked up 7 total tackles (4 solo and 3 assisted) 1.5 yards TFL, and a pass deflection the night before in Arvada West’s 45-7 victory over Denver South.
10.9.2025: Arvada West went right back into action on one day less of rest with a Thursday night matchup against Columbine. The Wildcats defeated the Columbine Rebels 20-17, and Pyatt was a monster on defense all night. Pyatt picked up 25 total tackles (13 solo, 12 assisted) and 2.5 yards TFL, and he practically held the Rebels offense singlehandedly.
Elisha Faamatuainu - IOL - 3/5-Star (87 OVR) - Murrieta Valley (Murrieta, CA) – 10.3.2025: Faamatuainu and the Murrieta Valley O-Line helped generate explosive offensive rushing numbers, as the team ran for 431 yards and 6 TDs against Norco in their close 55-45 win. MV’s QB was able to pass for 143 yards and 2 TDs and had the protection to get sacked 0 times in the close game.
10.10.2025: The Nighthawks won another close battle in back-to-back weeks with a 56-42 shootout win over the Chaparral Pumas. Faamatuainu and the O-Line were lights out again, as the rushing game generated 468 yards and 7 TDs, and the QB protection was able to create 145 passing yards, 1 TD, and 0 sacks.
Brady Palmer - QB - 3/5-Star (86 OVR) - Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, CA) – 10.3.2025: Brady Palmer’s stellar season had to hit a wall somewhere, and of course, it had to be De La Salle. As a San Ramon native, I know that feeling all too well. Palmer and the Dons picked up their first loss of the season as the Spartans defeated Cathedral Catholic in Concord 35-14, with Palmer completing 6 of 7 passes for 97 yards, rushing for 5 yards on 1 attempt, and getting sacked once. While it was not a terrible game, it is just what you get when you face De La Salle – limited opportunities to score. Palmer finished the game but announced via X that he was hurt.
10.10.2025: Coming off their first loss of the season, the Cathedral Catholic Dons could not bounce back in their follow-up game against the Point Loma Pointers, and Brady Palmer did not play due to the injury sustained against De La Salle.
Jayden Crowder - CB - 3/5-Star (86 OVR) - Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) – Jayden Crowder announced on X that he had decommitted from the University of California, and has since committed to USC.
Artem Korchagin - IOL - 3/5-Star (86 OVR) - Thomas County Central (Thomasville, GA) – 10.3.2025: The offensive line for the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets was lights out, with Artem Korchagin and the line helping generate 313 rushing yards for 4 TDs and creating enough protection and space for their QBs to throw for 207 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs.
10.10.2025: Bye Week!
Rocky Cummings: LB – Carlsbad (CA) (3/5 Star, 86 OVR) – 10.3.2025: Carlsbad cannot be stopped as they continue their tear of Southern California with a 35-3 win over the Torrey Pines Falcons. Cummings had an incredible game where his 3 receptions for 103 yards all resulted in touchdowns. On defense, Cummings collected 1 QB Hurry and a pass deflection.
10.10.2025: In the following week against the Mission Hills Grizzlies, the Carlsbad Lancers won 31-17, with Rocky Cummings picking up 2 TDs on 3 receptions and 41 yards. On defense, Cummings had 5 total tackles (3 solo and 2 assisted) as well as 1 sack and 2 QB Hurries. Cummings has been everywhere on every play for the No. 15 team in the state of California this season, and continues to flourish in conference play.
Frank Fanua - IOL - 3/5-Star (86 OVR) - Mount Miguel (Spring Valley, CA) – 10.3.2025: Mount Miguel came out strong against Helix High with a 42-14 conference win at home that saw Frank Fanua and the O-Line struggle a bit in creating the run game, as the Matadors only rushed for 69 yards on 15 carries. The O-Line did create enough space and time for their QBs to pass for 269 yards and 4 TDs, but they did have some cracks in their wall as the Highlanders’ defense picked up 5.5 yards TFL and 2.5 sacks.
10.10.2025: The Mount Miguel Matadors could not stay hot against Granite Hills, as they dropped their Friday night matchup on the road, 16-29. Fanua and the O-Line helped create 145 rushing yards on 24 attempts for 1 TD, as well as the protection to generate 148 passing yards and 1 TD – but the Granite Hills Eagles defense was able to break through the Matador O-line for 10 QB hurries, 3 sacks, and 1 INT.
Deon Jackson - CB - 3/5-Star (85 OVR) - Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, CA) – 10.3.2025: The Jackrabbits’ win streak came to an end as they traveled to Mission Viejo and lost 56-7. Jackson saw heavy usage in the backfield as the Diablos threw for over 340 yards, allowing Jackson to pick up 11 total tackles (9 solo and 2 assisted) and 1 pass deflection in the blowout loss.
10.10.2025: Long Beach Poly was able to bounce back the following week against the Millikan Rams, winning in a very close fashion with a 24-22 final score. Jackson had another double-digit tackle performance, picking up 10 total tackles (7 solo and 3 assisted) on the evening, as well as a pass deflection and 3 KO returns, where he was only able to pick up a total of 10 yards.
Luca Wolf - TE - 3/5-Star (85 OVR) - NFL Academy (London, EN) – 10.8.2025: While the NFL Academy (London) did not post stats for their game against the St Thomas Aquinas Raiders, they did hold the Nation’s No. 14 and Florida’s No. 2 team to a 3-point lead in their 38-41 loss. Wolf did post his stats on X and revealed that he collected 2 TDs on 80 receiving yards!
Kingston “Lucky” Schirmer - DL - 3/5-Star (85 OVR) - Centennial (Corona, CA) – 10.2.2025: With Centennial’s 62-20 win over Roosevelt, Kingston “Lucky” Schirmer was quiet on defense, picking up just 1 lone solo tackle in the huge win for the Huskies.
10.10.2025: The same could be said in the following week’s matchup against the Vista Murrieta Broncos, as the Huskies steamrolled them 63-14 and Schirmer collected 2 total tackles (1 solo and 1 assisted) and a half sack in the Friday night conference game at home.
Nice to track, thanks for doing this. Sucks to lose Jayden Crowder, CB, to USC. Let's get another WR.