Big Games : North Torrance at Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills suffered a tough 13-10 loss to Hawthorne High last week, and things will not get easier when the Normans play host to Ocean League foe North Torrance at 2:30 p.m. Friday.

The Normans, 0-1 in Ocean League play and 3-2 overall, will be physically overmatched against the Saxons, according to Beverly Hills co-Coach Bill Stansbury: “They’re enormous. They have 13 guys over 200 pounds.”

The key for the Normans is the play of linebackers and the ability to get ahead. “We need to control the ball and get an early lead,” Stansbury said. “If we get behind and they start grounding out the ball, we’re going to have a lot of trouble.”

The Normans must run a balanced attack, he said. Much of the pressure will be on quarterback Eric Mueller, who has completed 42 of 93 passes for 562 yards and eight touchdowns.

The North Torrance running game is led by 6-2, 217-pound Hector Murillo.

Washington at Fairfax

Fairfax has been averaging close to 40 points a game and probably will have to maintain that average when it entertains Washington in a Crosstown League game at 3 p.m. Friday.

Fairfax Coach Denis Furlong said his defense will have its hands full. “They have a good quarterback and an unpredictable offense.” Last week the Generals won their league opener with Jordan, 26-16.

“They run, pass the ball and run the option. It’s a challenge to prepare for them. For most teams you can say they like to do this or that, but Washington has no tendencies,” Furlong said.

Fairfax will have to contain quarterback Mark Wilson, “a threat to run or pass on each play,” Furlong said.

Fairfax, 5-0 overall and 1-0 in league play, also has a potent offense. Running back Michael Hale has rushed for 795 yards and 13 touchdowns and in last week’s 42-6 rout of Hamilton carried the ball 17 times for 138 yards and 3 touchdowns.