Prep Football Games to Watch : Long Beach Poly Tries to Rebound Against Tough Banning

Long Beach Poly High School will play Wilmington Banning at 7:30 Friday night at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach.

And if Poly (1-1), The Times’ top-ranked Southern Section team a week ago, was hoping for a soft touch to rebound from last week’s 21-7 loss to Bishop Amat, the Jackrabbits can forget it.

Banning (2-0) offers excellent team speed, which is most unfavorable for Poly’s running game.

Last week, Bishop Amat frustrated running back Leonard Russell, holding him to 44 yards in 11 carries. It does not promise to be easier for Russell this week. Banning, The Times’ No. 1-ranked City Section team, is coming off a 48-0 victory over San Pedro.

Banning would also like to gain revenge against Poly, which dealt the Pilots one of their three losses last season.

Woodland Hills Taft (2-0) at Reseda Cleveland (2-0), Friday, 3 p.m. This game matches two of the City’s best running backs. Albert Fann, Cleveland tailback, led the Cavaliers to a 23-7 victory over Canoga Park last week, rushing for 114 yards and 3 touchdowns. That’s about average for the senior. He had 82 yards in 14 carries in the first half, before Cleveland eased up. Two weeks ago he gained 243 yards and scored twice. Cornell Collier rushed for 156 yards last week as Taft held off neighboring El Camino Real, 17-13.

Westminster (1-1-1) at Encino Crespi (3-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m. This is the stiffest test yet for Crespi, and sophomore running back Russell White. Westminster has gotten off to a slow start after being ranked No. 1 in the Big Five Conference preseason poll. Since then, the Lions have fallen out of the Orange County Sportswriters’ top 10. Westminster’s strong suit is its defense, but the Lions will need a big effort to control White. In three games, he has rushed for 452 yards in only 28 carries. That’s a 16.1-yard average. White also has scored six touchdowns.

Santa Ana Foothill (3-0) at Tustin (2-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m. Tustin is coming off of an emotional high. Coach Marijon Ancich won his 200th game last week. Mark Ropele kicked a 43-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to pull out a 10-7 victory over Irvine. The Knights’ John Fischbeck rushed for more than 100 yards for the third straight game last week, and has scored 7 touchdowns. Chris Fergus’ passing ability opens the defense for Fischbeck, according to Coach Ted Mullen.

Westlake (2-1) at Simi Valley (3-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m. Westlake should have its hands full in the Marmonte League opener for both teams. Simi Valley’s offense relies on quarterback Todd Studer and running back Tony Kerr, and the Pioneer defense has given up just 11 points in three games. Kerr had touchdown runs of 14 and 53 yards in last week’s 20-0 shutout of Agoura. At one point, Kerr gained 50 yards in just 3 carries. Westlake’s only loss was to Ventura last week, 21-13. Simi Valley beat Ventura in its opener, 21-3.

Fullerton Troy (3-0) at Placentia Valencia (1-1-1), tonight, 7:30 p.m. Tony Goulet, Valencia senior running back, spent last season as understudy to Ray Pallares, who broke Myron White’s Orange County rushing record. Goulet made a name for himself last week, rushing for 176 yards and 5 touchdowns in 12 carries. Troy’s Todd Murdock scored two touchdowns, kicked a field goal and two extra points in last week’s 31-10 victory over Anaheim.

Norco (3-0) at Perris (3-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m. Each team will open Ivy League play undefeated. Norco has been particularly impressive in allowing only one touchdown--to Eisenhower in the season opener. Since then, the Cougars have shut out Orange, 16-0, and Indio, 32-0. Perris will present a challenge to Norco’s defense. Running back Tim Callier is Riverside County’s leading rusher with 472 yards and 5 touchdowns in 50 carries. Norco has a top back in Titus Campbell, who has gained 270 yards and scored 5 touchdowns.