Football: Hart and Palmdale will be on the defensive Friday night

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There’s an old adage in football stating: Defense wins championships. And for those die-hard stat gurus who are more interested in keeping track of tackles for losses, sacks and interceptions instead of rushing, receiving and passing yards, I’ve got just the game for you on Friday night.

The season opener between Palmdale and visiting Hart, ranked No. 18 by The Times, features a pair of the region’s top linebackers in the Falcons’ Walter Woods and the Indians’ Demitri Diamond. I’m willing to bet this showdown will have its share of hard-hitting defensive highlights.

When it comes to size and sheer strength, Woods is in a class all his own. The 6-foot, 275-pound senior is a workout warrior and his sub-4.8 time in the 40-yard dash isn’t too bad either. He’s been contacted by several Pac-10 Conference programs and has an offer from San Diego State.

Diamond, on the other hand, does a little bit of everything. He is expected to play running back, receiver, and perhaps return kicks for the Indians. Ultimately, the difference between winning and losing will depend on how well the 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior plays on the other side of the ball.

-- Sean Ceglinsky