Carlsbad, La Costa Canyon carry state rankings into Week 3

Two Carlsbad-area football teams ranked in California's top 25 take the field Friday, Sept. 4. The Lancers host El Camino while the Mavericks travel to Del Norte.

Carlsbad (2-0), ranked No. 13 in the state by MaxPreps computer rankings, welcomes El Camino (1-1) for a 7 p.m. non-league kickoff. La Costa Canyon (1-1), ranked No. 21, heads to Del Norte (1-1) at the same time.

Carlsbad vs. El Camino

The Lancers have been dominant through two weeks. Senior running back Darian Webb rushed 19 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-17 Week 1 win over Las Vegas Arbor View, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Carlsbad then shut out Oceanside 35-0 on Aug. 28, with Hector Saldana scoring twice, The Vista Press reported.

Through two games, Carlsbad is averaging 198 rushing yards, 138 passing yards and 336 total yards per game. Junior quarterback Antonio D'Alessandro completed 16 of 20 passes for 138 yards in the opener.

Head coach Thadd MacNeal, in his 21st season, has a deep roster. Senior tight end and defensive end Trent Kellas said in The Coast News' August preseason preview that he expected the defense to be a strength. "On defense, look for Mario Anguiano and Dylan Sims to be big playmakers in the front seven," Kellas said.

El Camino, under first-year head coach Stefan McClure, went 1-9 last season. The Wildcats lost to Chino Hills 23-10 in Week 2. Key players for El Camino include junior quarterback Kai Storer, junior running back/linebacker Ian Wall and senior wide receiver Omega Cruise.

La Costa Canyon vs. Del Norte

The Mavericks dropped from No. 18 to No. 21 in the state rankings after falling 44-28 to then-No. 17 Clovis West on Aug. 28. Cole Herring scored on a 10-yard touchdown run in the loss.

LCC head coach Sean Sovacool, in his 17th season, built a roster around a mix of veterans and young talent. Sovacool said in The Coast News' August preseason preview that the offensive line would be "one of the biggest, most athletic groups we have ever had." Senior tight end Diego Botron, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound San Diego State commit, anchors the offense alongside freshman quarterback Luke Labrum, who already holds an SDSU offer. Junior wide receiver Blake Larson and freshman Nate Taylor round out the skill positions.

The Mavericks went 9-2 last season and opened 2026 with a win before the Clovis West setback.

Del Norte presents a different challenge. The Nighthawks beat St. Augustine 19-14 in Week 2, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune's scoreboard. Fourth-year head coach Nick Barnett's squad went 4-7 last season but returns quarterback Kaden Williams, who threw for 1,677 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025. Running back Madox Romans added 743 rushing yards. Del Norte returns an offensive line with starters weighing between 255 and 325 pounds, according to the Union-Tribune's preseason preview.