The pros of playing regularly scheduled games

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James Durk, the quarterbacks and running backs coach for Compton, brought up a good point that schools had to consider in making decisions about when, or whether, to play their games this weekend in the wake of fires that caused destruction and poor air quality throughout much of Southern California.

‘Anytime you have a team in playoff contention, there’s a rhythm you get into as the season goes on, and anything can throw you off,’ he said.

The Tarbabes (8-0, 4-0), ranked No. 15 in the Southland by The Times, played their game against Millikan, as scheduled, on Friday night, but they were nearly thrown off by the Rams (5-3, 2-3) before finally escaping with a 34-28 victory after a successful goal-line stand in the final seconds at Millikan.

‘I’m glad we played tonight,’ Durk said. ‘There was no reason not to.’

- Lauren Peterson