TOP FOOTBALL GAMES

SOUTHERN SECTION

Los Alamitos (11-1) vs. Lakewood (11-1) at East Los Angeles College, 7:30 tonight

Third-seeded Lakewood has one of the most distinguished defenses in the Southland, and its linebackers, Adrian McCovey and Luthur Brown, are among the best in the country. But the Lancers must generate offense if they are to turn back the second-seeded Griffins in a Division I semifinal. Against four quality opponents -- Lakewood Mayfair, Ventura St. Bonaventure, Long Beach Poly and Los Angeles Loyola -- Lakewood has averaged only 16.5 points. By comparison, Los Alamitos scored 21 against Mission Viejo, which may have the best defense of all. The Griffins have balance with Cortes Rice, who has rushed for 1,705 yards and 21 touchdowns (and scored another on a reception), and Jim Barnes, who has passed for 2,392 yards and 36 touchdowns, and the defense has allowed 13 points or fewer in nine games.

Anaheim Esperanza (9-3) vs. Long Beach Poly (11-1) at Long Beach Cabrillo High, 7 p.m. Saturday

Esperanza has won three in a row -- all upsets -- since changing defensive schemes. The last two came in Division I playoff victories over Santa Ana Mater Dei, 29-7, and fourth-seeded Colton, 42-9. Poly has better, more dangerous athletes than all three teams, especially receiver DeShaun Jackson and running back Troy Guthrie. It will be incumbent upon Esperanza’s offense to use the clock and limit Poly’s chances on offense, and upon its defense to prevent the big play. Both are tall orders against the top-seeded Jackrabbits, who have averaged 382 yards and 37.8 points, and have gone eight games in a row without allowing more than 12 points.

-- Martin Henderson

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San Clemente (10-2) at Valencia (11-1), 7:30 tonight

Valencia’s high-powered offense gets a lot of attention, and deservedly so, but don’t underestimate the Vikings’ defense. While Michael Herrick has passed for 3,432 yards and 29 touchdowns for a team averaging 36.8 points, the Valencia defense, led by linebackers Anthony DeFilippo, Torrey O’Brien and Gary Cox, has allowed only 12 points a game. Valencia has lost to San Clemente in the Division II playoffs in the last two seasons. The Tritons have three consecutive losses in the semifinals. They haven’t played for a section title since 1979 and have never won a championship. San Clemente will depend on a balanced offense led by quarterback Mike Cook and running backs Kevin Fortin and John Jay Verhagen.

Rolling Hills Estates Peninsula (11-0-1) at Compton Dominguez (11-1), 7 tonight

Peninsula’s option-based attack meets the double-wing Dominguez offense in a matchup of teams seeking a return to the top. Peninsula won its only section title in 1997 and Dominguez won its only title in 1996, but neither has reached the final since. Peninsula, making its first semifinal appearance since 1999, has quarterback Theo Nikolakopulos and running back Erik Pederson as keystones of one of the Southland’s best option offenses. Linebacker Erik Lorig leads a hard-nosed defense that has allowed only 13.3 points a game and 10 points in two playoff games. Dominguez hasn’t been in the semifinals since 1998. A return to the final probably will depend on Elijah Wesson, James Raby, Darryl Crummie and Marvin Johnson, who have combined for more than 3,000 yards rushing.

Peter Yoon

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CITY SECTION

Crenshaw (10-2) vs. Dorsey (11-1) at Rancho Cienega Park, 7 tonight

Dorsey won the first meeting of these Coliseum League rivals, 24-20. The play at quarterback should be decisive in this City Championship division semifinal. Dorsey’s Keith Charles and Crenshaw’s John Thompson came into the season as unknowns. Now they’ve gained experience and confidence. Thompson, in particular, has improved after being a receiver last season. Crenshaw committed four turnovers in the first meeting and must stop Dorsey’s running duo of Jeremiah Johnson and Stafon Johnson. Defensive end Courtney Williams of Dorsey has a school-record 23 sacks.

-- Eric Sondheimer

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Lake Balboa Birmingham (8-4) vs. Harbor City Narbonne (10-2) at Gardena High, 7 tonight

Birmingham’s multifaceted offense is led by quarterback Andrew Miramontes (2,691 yards, 20 touchdowns), running back Brian Stuart (1,337 yards, 22 touchdowns) and receiver Corey Anderson (47 catches, 1,184 yards). After some years of unfulfilled expectations, Narbonne is having a breakout season behind a productive running game led by junior Travon Titus and a stout defense spearheaded by Oregon-bound All-City linebacker Kevin Garrett.

-- Eric Stephens