The Battle of the Unbeatens: Whittier Christian at Cantwell Sacred Heart

There’s no question the biggest game this Friday is Whittier Christian (5-0) at Cantwell Sacred Heart (4-0) at 7 p.m. My esteemed colleague Aram Tolegian, from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, is calling the contest “the someone’s O has got to Go” game.

Cantwell Sacred Heart’s Jonathan Mesa is averaging 243 rushing yards per game and has already scored 16 touchdowns.

Whittier Christian’s Stephen Anderson is averaging 266 passing yards and over 2 touchdowns per game.

I have two questions regarding this game:

1. Who is the bigger surprise?

On one hand, you have Cantwell Sacred Heart, a 5-5 team from a year ago that didn’t make the playoffs. The Cardinals are 4-0 and have beaten some quality programs in Bell Gardens and Schurr.

On the other hand, you have Whittier Christian, a 9-4 team last year that just made the playoffs as the Olympic League’s No. 3 seed and then proceeded on a magical run to the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division semifinals behind the hard-running of Garrett Fulbright (who graduated) and the dominant defensive play of Jeffy Worthy (who’s only played one game this year).

2. Who has a better chance at winning their division?

Cantwell Sacred Heart is ranked # 2 in Division 10 and Whittier Christian in #1 in Division 11.

The Cardinals compete in a division that includes #1 Nordoff, #3 Fillmore, #4 South Torrance and #5 Oak Park.

The Heralds compete in a division that includes #2 Azusa, #3 San Dimas, #4 Arroyo and #5 Monrovia.

3. Who is going to win Friday or as Aram said, who’s O will Go?

Cardinals quarterback Christian Espinoza has thrown five touchdowns this year and hasn’t thrown a pick in three straight games.

Heralds receiver Grant Escobar is one of the team’s most consistent receivers, averaging nearly 11 yards per catch.

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