Prep Football: Week 3 previews, predictions for RB High, Poway, Del Norte and Maranatha

Three of the four local teams are off to 2-0 starts and will look to keep it going in Week 3.

The Rancho Bernardo High football team travels to Vista for a 7 p.m showdown Friday. It is the first of a tough three-game stretch for the Broncos.

Poway will be at El Camino in what should be a thriller. The Titans are full of confidence after topping Mount Miguel 24-6 last week.

Maranatha Christian is off to its best start in school history at the 11-man level. The Eagles will host Hamilton.

Del Norte is still looking for its first win of the season. It will be tough getting it this week with Westview coming into town. The Wolverines are off to a fast start.

Here is a closer look at Friday night’s games:

Nonleague

Rancho Bernardo (2-0) at Vista (1-1), Friday 7 p.m.

Last week: Rancho Bernardo beat Del Norte 55-0; Vista beat Paloma Valley 61-7.

Notes: This is the start of a challenging three-game, non-league stretch for the Broncos, who have outscored their first two opponents 87-6. Vista, La Costa Canyon and Carlsbad have a combined record of just 2-4 through the first two weeks, but all three have played a challenging schedule ... The last time Vista and Rancho Bernardo met was in 2009, a 28-0 win by the Panthers. In fact, Vista has beaten the Broncos five times in a row and in seven of the last eight meetings ... Rancho Bernardo breezed past Poway Unified School District rival Del Norte last week. Running back Milan Grice continued his fast start, rushing for 110 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries. Kaelan Pestano had 44 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns on just three carries. QB Mark Salazar didn’t need to do much through the air, but he was an efficient 5 of 7 for 75 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Devaughn Vele, Leo Wagner and Pestano each hauled in a touchdown ... The Panthers, who fell to Bonita Vista 12-0 in Week 1, rebounded by crushing Paloma Valley. Vista has thrown the ball just 12 times this season, relying heavily on a plethora of ball carriers. Arguably the biggest threat on the ground for the Panthers is senior Cesar Mariscal ... Expect a bunch of running in this one, but for the Broncos’ passing game to be the difference. This could be a chance for QB Salazar and the receiving corps to show just how dangerous the offense can be.

Prediction: Rancho Bernardo 28, Vista 20.

Poway (2-0) at El Camino (2-0), Friday 7 p.m.

Last week: Poway Mount Miguel 24-6; El Camino beat Mira Mesa 23-0.

Notes: Both squads are off to 2-0 starts — Poway for the first time since 2011 — and playing great football ... El Camino edged the Titans 21-14 last season. Since 2006, Poway owns a 4-2 series advantage. The Wildcats had no trouble getting past Mira Mesa last week. QB Beau Gallegos completed 15 of 22 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. The running game compiled 147 yards and a touchdown on 39 carries. Dreshon Epps led the way with 55 yards on 13 carries. WR John Armentrout is the biggest weapon on the field for El Camino. He caught six balls for 144 yards and two touchdowns last week ... The Titans put together one of their best games in the last few years last week. They pounded the run and then capitalized with the play-action pass. Chris Butler had four receptions for 110 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown. He also scored on a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter, capping a 16-play, 80-yard scoring drive that took seven minutes off the clock. Dustin Marvin picked off a Matadors pass in the end zone and Jared Adelman returned a fumble 49 yards for a score to lead the defensive effort ... This one will likely come down to the wire. The Titans and Wildcats both have big-play capabilities. Look for the Titans to have one more than the Wildcats Friday night.

Prediction: Poway 28, El Camino 27.

Westview (2-0) at Del Norte (0-2), Friday 7 p.m.

Last week: Del Norte lost to Rancho Bernardo 55-0; Westview beat Rancho Buena Vista 35-0.

Notes: It will be Military Appreciation Night at Del Norte. Veterans will be honored and some will be represented by having their names on the back of Nighthawks’ jerseys. After the game, the veterans will receive the jersey ... Del Norte has struggled in its first two games of the season, while Westview is 2-0 for the first time since 2012. The Nighthawks beat the Wolverines 41-21 for the first time in school history last year ... Del Norte’s youth and inexperience has showed in the first two weeks. The Nighthawks have been outscored 89-14 and it will not get any easier with Westview and Mt. Carmel scheduled for the next two weeks ... The Wolverines are firing on all cylinders behind sophomore QB Beau Nelson and junior running back A.J. Leonard. Nelson has completed 29 of 52 passes for 381 yards and five touchdowns in the first two games. Leonard has run for 169 yards and a touchdown on 39 carries ... Expect Westview to keep it going and for Del Norte to struggle again in this one.

Prediction: Westview 42, Del Norte 10.

Hamilton (0-2) at Maranatha Christian (2-0), Friday 7 p.m.

Last week: Hamilton lost to Rancho Christian 49-26; Maranatha beat Horizon Christian Academy 10-6.

Notes: Maranatha Christian is off to its first 2-0 start in school history at the 11-man level. The Eagles have shown they could win games with their offense and their defense. Maranatha has outscored its first two opponents 52-6, proving this could be the best defense in the history of the school at the 11-man level. QB Christian Cortes has been solid, throwing for 191 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the first two games. Running backs Jake Bronson and Trevor Sheng are proving to be a solid one-two punch, as they have combined for three touchdowns and 223 yards in the two games ... Hamilton has given up over 41 points in both of its first two games ... Expect the Bobcats to struggle to stop the versatile offense of the Eagles in this one.

Prediction: Maranatha Christian 42, Hamilton 7.