Today's game came up to the fourth quarter. Coach told us to come into this game and compete. I feel like we didn't come into the game as ready and focused as the other games we've played. We underestimated them from the beginning of the first half.

The score settled at a 20 to 20 tie as we went to the locker room. In the locker room we talked about making up for the mistakes we made in the first half and that when we come out the second half we have to focus and play "Serra Football."

There were plenty of big high school football games in Southern California Friday night but CLA had the privilege to bear witness to superstar Franklin wide receiver Joshua “Jay Tee” Taylor and his play-making ability.

After scoring four touchdowns last week, Taylor was primed for another big time performance against Jordan (Los Angeles). The visiting Jordan team was undermanned but that would not have made a difference as Jay Tee was clearly the best player on the grid iron.

Now that the first week of the 2012 college football season is in the books, the debate for the Heisman can take form. Preseason hopefuls like Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson struggled against defending national champion Alabama’s suffocating defense in a 41-14 rout at Cowboys Stadium. Other favorites performed as expected . Players stock will potentially rise and fall from week to week but there are five players CLA believes will lead the way as the race unfolds.

1. Matt Barkley (USC, QB)

This week we take on Lake Elsinore. We play on a Thursday due to their schedule, but either way it doesn't stop us at all from preparing for what they're bringing. We've studied the way they run their Wing T offense & watched carefully on each position that is critical to their type of offense.

So, this week we take on Mira Costa High School. We've all been working hard this week, mostly on the mental stuff. Last week was a big win for us versus a power house like Long Beach Poly and the week before that when we took on Notre Dame. Two games isn't what we want. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there expecting us to win CIF and State this year, but as of right now we are taking each game one at a time.

Fueled by a stellar defensive performance, the Gardena Serra Cavaliers beat the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits 20-12 Friday night to notch their second victory in a row over a tough opponent.

Practice this week has been a little off but we still maintain the mental focus for the game against El Rancho. This is the first time that Diamond Ranch will play El Rancho. Watching film, we noticed that their quarterback is one of their main threats, which made practice a lot of more getting used to the option and quarterback run.

Gardena Serra was hoping to experience the trip of a lifetime and participate in the Beehive Classic in Salt Lake City, Utah this weekend. After a late change in plans and cancellations of air travel that was initially to be provided by the tournament's sponsors, the Serra and Long Beach Poly boys were left with two choices.