CIF Playoffs : West Torrance vs. Simi Valley

In the Coastal Conference, Simi Valley (9-2), which won its first playoff game ever last week, an overtime tie-breaker against Arcadia, brings a team very similar to the host Warriors--ground-control offense and stingy defense. The focus of the Simi lineup is running back M. J. Nelson, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards and had 11 touchdowns on a combination of runs, receptions and interceptions. In his career he has more than a dozen touchdown runs of 50 yards or longer. Quarterback Mark Bustamonte averages about 55 yards passing per game.

The Simi defense allows only 10 points per game. That’s all West needed to beat Oxnard last week, 10-9, on Dominick Cefalone’s field goal. Running back Kevin Maher remains the focus of the West attack, with more than 1,110 yards and 15 touchdowns. His 63-yard run on a screen pass set up the winning kick last week

7:30 p.m. Friday at Simi Valley.

North Torrance vs. Lompoc

In this Northwestern Conference game, Lompoc (9-2) will give North Torrance an Oklahoma look, playing an Oklahoma defense and keeping the ball on the ground offensively. North High (7-4) is bigger on the lines, even though Todd Sprosky and Jim Calo are out with injuries, but North Coach Steve Schmitz says Lompoc is probably “more physical in the skill positions.”

North puts the ball in the air more; quarterback Mike Jurado threw for more than 1,700 yards during the regular season. The Saxons have more power in the backfield with 210-pound Hector Murillo back in the lineup to go with speedy Tom Button.

7:30 p.m. Friday at North High.

Hawthorne vs. Palmdale

In another Northwestern Conference game a familiar face will be waiting for Hawthorne in Palmdale--Coach Bill Norton, who left Bishop Montgomery two years ago to take over a losing program. His team is 8-3 and features one of the CIF’s leading rushers, Toney Edwards, who had 1,715 yards and 22 touchdowns during the regular season. The undefeated Cougars (10-0-1) figure to make plenty of tracks on the road this week. Hawthorne’s speed demolished Righetti last week, 27-0, as quarterback Alonzo Young struck for big plays--scoring passes of 30 and 60 yards to Tremelle Taylor--and Richard Harrison made a 70-yard run. Andre Jackson remains the Cougars’ most feared runner.

7:30 p.m. Friday at Palmdale.

Leuzinger vs. Agoura

Agoura (8-3) is defending Desert-Mountain Conference champion and has a high-scoring offense featuring quarterback Jon DeGennaro (980 yards passing), running back Brock Hoffman (1,111 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing) and tight end Donnie Rea (29 receptions, 429 yards). Agoura averages 321 yards per game while allowing less than 200. Few teams have held Leuzinger (9-1-1) that low. The Olympians scored 41 points in last week’s playoff opener against Bell-Jeff and quarterback Mike Reddington opened up the offense, which had appeared to grow conservative in recent weeks. He passed for about 250 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Sean Smith gets so much attention from defenses that he is becoming an effective decoy. Last week he caught five passes, while the scoring touchdowns went to three other players.

7:30 p.m. Friday at Leuzinger.