PREP FOOTBALL GAMES AT A GLANCE

No. 6 Santa Margarita (6-2, 1-0) vs. No. 1 Mater Dei (6-2, 1-0)

7 TONIGHT

EDISON FIELD

Few gave Santa Margarita a chance before it registered a 35-26 upset of La Puente Bishop Amat, the state’s second-ranked team at the time, on Oct. 15. To stop Mater Dei’s high-powered offense, the Eagles’ front seven must do a better job against the run; they gave up 414 yards rushing, none passing, against Bishop Amat. Mater Dei is more balanced, but the Eagles’ best chance is to force quarterback Matt Leinart to make the critical plays rather than allowing running backs Junior Palacios (10 TDs) and Matt Grootegoed (five TDs) to make an easy night of it. Likewise, running back Jimmy Herzog will need a big night rushing for Santa Margarita.

KEY PLAYERS

Santa Margarita

WR Dustin Creager

25 rec., 15.2 yards/catch

RB Jimmy Herzog

765 yards, 6.0 per carry

QB Chris Rix

48.9%, 3 TDs, 7 int.

Mater Dei

RB Matt Grootegoed

449 yards, 6.4 per carry

QB Matt Leinart

61.7%, 9 TDs, 3 int.

RB Junior Palacios

728 yards, 5.5 per carry