Top 10 players to watch in Week 9

The high school football schedule has made it to Week 9. The final days are upon us and the CIF-Southern Section playoff pairings and divisions will soon be announced.

There are still a few big games on the schedule before we get there. Here’s a look at 10 players to watch this week:

1. Journee Tonga, Leuzinger, RB

Tonga has rushed for more than 100 yards in every game this season, surpassing 200 yards four times and 150 yards in six games. This week the Olympians face Mira Costa in another big Bay League game.

2. Ryan Rakowski, Palos Verdes, QB

The Sea Kings are close to 3-0 in the Bay League heading into Friday’s game against Inglewood. PV lost to Culver City (21-18) but bounced back with wins over Leuzinger and Lawndale. Rakowski threw five touchdowns and no interceptions in the two wins.

3. Kameryn Hurst, Carson, RB/DB

Hurst returned from injury against St. Pius X and the Colts have won three straight games. He scores a rushing touchdown in every game. Hurst and the Colts visit Banning this week.

4. Adrian Guzman, Banning, WR

Are we on the verge of Banning becoming an air raid team? Probably not, but the Pilots attempted 16 passes in last week’s overtime loss to San Pedro. Quarterbacks Steven Perez (6-8, 47 yards) and Noa Tuvalu (7-8, 71 yards) each had two passing touchdowns. Guzman had two touchdown receptions and one against Gardena.

5. Venilaite Wolfgramm, Inglewood, LB

If the Inglewood defense needs to make a tackle, it’s safe to assume Wolfgramm will be there. He has 118 total tackles and four sacks as the Sentinels prepare for Palos Verdes this week.

6. Jadyn Robinson, Serra, WR

Serra finally returns home this week and over the last three weeks we have seen an increase in production from Robinson. In the last three games, he had 19 catches for 262 yards and four touchdowns.

7. Ethan Maleman, Redondo, RB

Redondo heads to the mound to visit the peninsula in a rare night game. It’s not uncommon how close the games are between these two. Four of the last five games were decided by seven points or less. Maleman has rushed for more than 100 yards in three straight games, including last week’s 173-yard performance.

8. Malikai Johnson, Torrance, RB

The Tartars face an important game against Santa Monica. A win sets Torrance up for a shot at the league title in its final game against North. Johnson has rushed for 1,015 yards in eight games and is looking for another big night on Friday.

9. Andrew Washington, Mary Star, WR

Washington is having a breakout season for the Stars. You could say he only has 30 receptions, but 14 of those ended up as touchdowns… and he has eight more touchdowns (two interceptions, two punt returns, two kickoff returns).

10. Justen Key, Westchester, RB

Key rushed for 229 yards and three touchdowns in Westchester’s 27-14 win over Fairfax last week. In this week’s meeting against Hamilton, he has rushed for more than 100 yards in three straight games.