Loara vs. Pacifica

The records--Loara (0-1, 3-1), Pacifica (1-0, 2-2).

The site--Bolsa Grande Stadium

The standings--Pacifica is one of four teams tied for first place in the Empire League, and Loara is among the four teams in search of its first league victory.

Loara update--The Saxons’ inconsistent offense canceled their steady defense against Los Alamitos last week. Six Loara turnovers cost the team field position and ultimately, the game.

Pacifica update--The Mariners are among the favorites in the league race and in last week’s league opener, they played like it. Pacifica snapped a two-game losing streak with its biggest league victory ever, a 35-0 win over Katella. The Mariners are not a big-play team; their forte is consistency and balance. They have two effective rushers in Tony Caceda (50 carries for 260 yards) and Callen Chase (57 carries for 200 yards). Quarterback Scott Pettit is a decent passer and Willie Taylor is the league’s second-leading receiver with 15 catches for 160 yards.

Key to the game--Loara’s defense will have its hands full trying to prevent well-rounded Pacifica from passing and running. If the Saxon defense is able to keep the Mariners partially contained, the rest will depend on whether quarterback Wade Clester and his offensive line perform better than last week. Saxon running back Chris Wright, the league’s leading rusher, is likely to run into stiff resistance from Pacifica’s excellent defensive line. If Loara is to stand a chance, Clester will have to go to the air and produce some big plays by exploiting the Mariners’ modest speed.

Consensus--Pacifica, which won the matchup, 7-0, last season, has the advantage in size and consistency. If the Mariners play their usual game, they should win.

Fountain Valley vs. Long Beach Poly

The records--Fountain Valley (2-2), Long Beach Poly (3-0).

The site--Veterans Stadium

Fountain Valley update--The Barons have been struggling with an inconsistent offense, and the situation doesn’t seem likely to improve with wide receiver Dennis Arey out. Arey, who has 23 receptions for 404 yards and 5 touchdowns, suffered a dislocated shoulder in last week’s 27-7 loss to Servite, and is out indefinitely. “He’s been our only offensive weapon,” said Mike Milner, the Fountain Valley coach. The loss Arey means that fullback Terry Reichert and tailback Tom Vrab will be asked to provide the Barons with a better running game than they have demonstrated in the first four weeks. Vrab has seen limited action while recovering from a knee injury, but Milner hopes he can return to a full-time role tonight. “Hopefully, he’ll answer some questions for us offensively,” Milner said.

Long Beach Poly update--The Jackrabbit defense has allowed only three points and 321 total yards in wins over Gardena, Whittier and Banning of Carson. The 10 points Banning scored last week came on an interception return for a touchdown, a two-point conversion and a safety. The defense is led by free safety Mark Carrier, who is considered one of the Southland’s best college prospects. Carrier (6-feet 2-inches, 175 pounds) was the Moore League’s Defensive Player of the Year and an All-CIF Southern Section selection as a junior last year. Defensive end Stacy Elliot (6-3, 245) will go against Fountain Valley standout Lance Zeno (6-4, 255) in one of the game’s most intriguing matchups.

Key to the game--The big play. Long Beach Poly’s offense has sputtered but has shown a penchant for striking with big plays. Fountain Valley has been on the wrong end of big plays several times this season.

Consensus--A struggling Fountain Valley offense--minus its biggest threat--is matched against a defense that has been quite unyielding. Advantage Long Beach Poly.

El Toro vs. Irvine

The records--El Toro (1-0, 2-2), Irvine (1-0, 4-0)

The site--Irvine Stadium

The standings--Both teams are tied for first place in the South Coast League with Mission Viejo.

El Toro update--The Chargers are coming off a 17-14 upset win over Capistrano Valley that Coach Bob Johnson called, “One of the sweetest wins at El Toro in a long, long time.” Johnson’s biggest concern this week is a letdown coming off an emotional win. “We’ve talked about a letdown, and the players realize they’ve got to do the job another week,” Johnson said. This marks the fourth consecutive undefeated opponent El Toro has played, following Fountain Valley, Westminster and Capistrano Valley. Tailback Eric Brass gave the team a big lift last week, gaining 137 yards on 29 carries in his first start. Defensively, the Chargers intercepted five passes and have eight for the season.

Irvine update--The Vaqueros are off to their best start in the school’s history with four straight victories, including impressive wins against Newport Harbor and Tustin. Irvine has four backs--Jimmy Raye, Bill Brosnan, Jim Miele and Gary Renteria--with 150 or more yards rushing out of the Delaware Wing-T offense. Most of the yardage has been gained behind the blocking of tackle Greg Gerardi (6-7, 245) and guard Bobby Hamelin (6-1, 225), who line up on the left side. “There’s no secret to which direction we run the football,” Vaquero Coach Terry Henigan said. “Both Greg (sprained knee) and Bobby (ankle) have been hurt, but they should be 100% for this game.” The biggest problem for Irvine has been penalties, which have cost the Vaqueros an average of 100 yards per game.

Key to the game--El Toro must maintain its ball-control offense, which accounted for 90 yards rushing in the fourth quarter against Capistrano Valley. The Chargers will have difficulty duplicating last week’s defensive performance since Irvine has turned the ball over only twice this season. Irvine’s running game should get a good test against a Charger defense led by junior tackle Scott Spalding, one of the premier linemen in Orange County.

Consensus--This should be a low-scoring game that’s too close to call.