THE BIG GAME / EL CAMINO AT TORREY PINES : Torrey Pines Makes Avocado League Debut--Against El Camino : Football: Falcons will be without quarterback Ryan Lynch for showdown with top-ranked Wildcats.

SAN DIEGO —  Torrey Pines Coach Ed Burke is laying it on thick this week as he prepares for his Avocado League debut against defending three-time San Diego Section 2-A champion and top-ranked El Camino.

Burke’s woe-is-me act would make even Lou Holtz proud.

Torrey Pines is 2-1 with its only loss coming to 10th-ranked Castle Park, 16-14. Burke’s biggest concern is at quarterback, where starter Ryan Lynch has been ruled out of tonight’s game at Torrey Pines after he was ejected during last week’s La Jolla game for kicking a player. Burke will play junior Gavin Hamels in Lynch’s place.

But listening to Burke would lead one to believe he has more problems than Charger Coach Bobby Ross.

A sampling:

What chance does the Falcons’ offense have against El Camino’s defensive quickness?

“One chance--probably that they’re overconfident,” Burke said. “After they’ve beaten the teams they’ve beaten, they’re probably not worried too much about us.”

What would Burke’s point spread be?

“I’d hope that we’re in the caliber of Point Loma and RBV, so I’d make El Camino a seven-point favorite,” Burke said.

Asked to comment on his team’s offense, which has produced 12 fumbles, Burke said, “We dribble before we shoot. We’re trying to run the fast break without any bounce passes.”

Finally, how are you motivating your team this week, Ed?

“We’re heavy into prayer,” Burke said.

El Camino Coach Herb Meyer is not buying it. He says he’s got enough problems of his own. El Camino has two starters out on his offensive line, guard Sam Ruiz (back sprain) and all-league center Brian Chapman (knee).

Meyer is also worried about his kicking game, which has produced no field goals in five attempts and has yielded a blocked kick that resulted in a touchdown.

But don’t feel too sorry for Meyer. He still has the county’s best defense. In three games, the Wildcats have allowed 16 points against USDHS and highly ranked Point Loma and Rancho Buena Vista.

His cornerbacks, Bryant Westbrook and Mike Booker, are rated by most scouting publications as the best in California.

Meyer said he expects Torrey Pines to be ready for his team.

“This is a vindication-type thing for them,” Meyer said. “I’m afraid we’re walking into the lion’s den. They’re making a big deal out of it. They really feel like they’re too good to be here.”

Meyer is speaking of a campaign led by Torrey Pines’ boosters to keep the school in the Palomar League.

Burke said if Meyer wants to use that issue as a motivator, fine. But he had nothing to do with it.

“It was never a football issue,” Burke said. “It certainly is not an issue when you’ve got El Camino in the league.”

Said Meyer: “The only thing we’ve talked about is we’ve got to make sure (Torrey Pines) is welcomed into the league properly.”

This Weekend’s High School Football Games

FRIDAY’S GAMES

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San Pasqual (3-0) / Carlsbad (1-2): Only turnovers and penalties have stopped San Pasqual’s running game.

El Camino (3-0) / Torrey Pines (2-1): Don’t bet on Torrey Pines reachingits 24-point average. El Camino has allowed 16 points.

San Marcos (0-2-1) / Escondido (0-3): Two struggling teams meet; expect San Marcos to still be struggling.

Ramona (0-3) / Oceanside (1-2): Oceanside should even its record. Ramona has been outscored 81-0.

Castle Park (3-0) / Montgomery (1-1-1): It’s only first conference game, butthe outcome could determine first-place finisher.

Chula Vista (1-1-1) / Hilltop (0-3): Both hoped for better records going into conference opener. Now both hope to rebound.

Southwest (2-1) / Mar Vista (2-1): Mar Vista’s record is deceiving, and county’s top passer, O’Brian Woods, will expose that.

Sweetwater (2-1) / Bonita Vista (2-1): This could turn into a runner’s duel between BV’s Eric Turner and ‘Devils’ Josh Driggs.

Vista (2-1) / Rancho Bernardo (3-0): Defending champion Vista welcomes Rancho Bernardo to the Palomar League.

San Dieguito (2-1) / Poway (2-1): Neither team will get many opportunities to win; this is one of them.

Mt. Carmel (1-1-1) / Orange Glen (2-1): Mt. Carmel needs victory badly, while OG coming off upset loss to rival San Pasqual.

Fallbrook (3-0) / RBV (1-2): It’s only Week 1 of Palomar League play and this is already a must game.

La Jolla (0-3) / Hoover (0-3): Last time La Jolla started 0-3, it tied Hoover, 34-34, in Week 4 of 1985 season.

Campbell Hall (2-1) / Bishop’s (0-2): After giving up 94 points in first two games, this is a big test for Bishop’s.

LJCD (0-1) / Life Christian (2-1): Sans Salaam, LJCD offense lacks life.

Mission Bay (3-0) / San Diego (2-1): First legitimate opponent for Mission Bay. Second legitimate opponent for Cavers.

Serra (1-2) / Kearny (2-1): Look for Kearny defense (14 ppg. allowed) to put Serra RB Billy Dill in a pickle.

Coronado (1-2) / Crawford (1-2): Coronado allows 8.6 points per game and Crawford 10, but Colts have played tougher foes.

Patrick Henry (1-2) / Madison (1-1): Based on their scoring averages, Patrick Henry should win, 12-4.

Point Loma (2-1) / Helix (3-0): No.2 Helix slightly favored, but No.4 Pointers have won last two years, 10-7.

Santana (2-1) / Monte Vista (1-2): Santana looking for zero completions--it has won twice when that has happened.

El Capitan (2-1) / Granite Hills (1-2): El Capitan bounced back nicely, 28-0, last week; could easily duplicate score this week.

West Hills (0-3) / Grossmont (2-1): Both teams were shut out last week, but Grossmont could make it two in a row for Wolf Pack.

Valhalla (1-2) / Mt. Miguel (1-2): Both teams struggling to find its niche.

Clairemont (0-3) / El Cajon (1-2): Chieftains vs. Braves: Someone will do the Tomahawk Chop.

University City (3-0) / Mira Mesa (2-1): UC, the county’s No.1 offense and defense, gets first true test tonight.

Mtn. Empire (0-3) / Marian (2-1): These two have exchanged shutouts past twoyears. It’s Marian’s turn.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

Julian (3-0) / S.F. Christian (1-2): Big-play Eagle attack should do in defending champs.

Francis Parker (2-1) / Webb (3-0): Parker quarterback Scott Schneider has thrown 14 touchdowns in past two games.

Morse (4-0) / Lincoln (0-3): Morse appears too loaded but throw out the records. This is always a tough game.

Christian (0-2) / Army-Navy (1-1): Neither school has won on the field this year.

USDHS (1-2) / St. Augustine (3-0): Saints haven’t won a Charity Bowl in 10 years.