The Lock's Week 4 high school football picks include Canyon League openers
Now there are two.
That’s two Ventura County football circuits enjoined in their league races, with the uber-competitive Canyon League underway Thursday.
It’s Newbury Park at Royal; Oak Park at defending league champion Thousand Oaks; and Camarillo at Agoura.
Moorpark draws the bye.
More: Led by QB Harrison Novak, Agoura has been charging hard from the start of the season
The Channel League is in its third week, with the jockeying for the top four spots finding clarity.
The Lock loves this all-important segment of the schedule! League contests invariably produce the sharpest regular-season matchups.
The Marmonte League begins in three weeks, or Sept. 29. The Citrus League launches the same night.
Just a reminder: There are three guaranteed playoff berths in the Canyon League, but four were selected for postseason last fall.
More: Prep football notebook: Season intrigue heats up; The Star's Top 10 rankings
Onto this week’s picks:
THURSDAY
Thousand Oaks 28, Oak Park 21: Lancers bounce back after last week’s loss.
Newbury Park 35, Royal 14: Brady Smigiel and Co. roll in league opener.
Agoura 21, Camarillo 20: Most complete game of night?
Ventura 24, Dos Pueblos 14: Cougars are major players in league.
Santa Barbara 24, Oxnard 17: Yellowjackets seek the upset.
Notre Dame 30, Westlake 20: Familiar faces Evan Yabu, Steele Pizzella await Warriors.
FRIDAY
Buena 30, Channel Islands 10: Bulldogs hanging tough.
Pacifica 35, San Marcos 10: Tritons playing at high level.
Oaks Christian 27, Serra 20: Lions embrace rugged nonleague competition.
Oak Hills 24, St. Bonaventure 21: Yep, this team handed Seraphs two losses last season.
Yorba Linda 28, Simi Valley 20: Defending CIF-SS champion poses ideal test for Pioneers.
Bellflower 24, Santa Paula 21: Cardinals try to weather COVID wave.
Grace Brethren 27, Carpinteria 20: First area 11-man opponent for Lancers since 2019.
Chatsworth 28, Fillmore 21: Flashes still battling injuries.
Trinity Classical Academy 24, Nordhoff 20: Rangers would love first win.
Santa Monica 21, Hueneme 14: Vikings seeking momentum win.
Last week: 8-7.
Season: 44-16.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: The Lock's Week 4 football picks include Canyon League openers
