PREP FRIDAY : SOUTHERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINAL : Santa Ana, Lynwood: Here We Go Once Again

A few faces have changed, but for the most part the Southern Conference semifinal game between Santa Ana and Lynwood high schools at 7:30 tonight at Lynwood should be like old times.

Of course, the past and the playoffs don’t hold fond memories for Lynwood, a team that has entered the playoffs three times since 1979 as the No. 1 seed only to lose each time in the first round.

Last season, the Knights were seeded No. 1, but lost to Santa Ana, 29-3. The Saints were the Century League’s No. 3 entry, but went on to win the conference championship.

This season, Santa Ana enters the game as the playoffs’ No. 2 seeded team and is favored.

Lynwood? Well, the Knights failed to win the San Gabriel Valley League title this season, usually a foregone conclusion considering that, until this year, they had not lost a league game since 1981.

Once again, Lynwood is a team committed and anchored to the ground. The Knights have averaged about seven passes a game.

And once again Larry Anderson, Lynwood coach, has converted a wide receiver to play quarterback. Last season it was Anthony Burnett; this season it’s Keith Nixon, who has rushed for more than 700 yards.

When it comes to confidence and the Lynwood passing game Anderson’s cup does not runneth over. The Knights threw just three times in their 16-0 victory over Loara in the quarterfinals.

The Knights run an option attack and have three other backs who have rushed for more than 700 yards, including Austin McCowan, a 5-foot 6-inch, 170-pound fullback who gained more than 1,100.

“He’s like a bar of soap,” Anderson said. “He’s slippery, and hard to get a hold of.”

Santa Ana running back Robert Lee has never inspired such metaphors. Running by or over an defender has always seemed sufficient for Lee, who has rushed for 1,625 yards.

After a slow start this season, Lee, a junior, has averaged 205 yards in his last seven games. He had 206 in the Saints’ quarterfinal victory over Esperanza.

“Oh, gosh. He was awesome,” Anderson said of Lee, who gained 163 yards against Lynwood in last season’s playoffs.

Lynwood plays an eight-man front that is usually pretty tough against the run. The Knights have allowed just four rushing touchdowns this season. But Lee has a way of beating the odds.

And Santa Ana quarterback Richard Fanti has a way of beating you. Like his predecessor, Eric Turner, Fanti is not spectacular, just effective.

Sure, Lee ran crazy over Esperanza, but it was Fanti who made the big plays, and it was Fanti who scored the winning touchdown.

SANTA ANA vs. LYNWOOD Tonight at Lynwood High School, 7:30

SANTA ANA SAINTS Century League (11-1)

Newport Harbor Won, 29-6 Saddleback Lost, 25-6 Mater Dei Won, 31-20 Mission Viejo Won, 19-0 Ocean View Won, 19-0 Villa Park Won, 33-14 Canyon Won, 37-0 Foothill Won, 34-18 El Modena Won, 27-21 Santa Ana Valley Won, 27-0 Dominquez Won, 28-14 Esperanza Won, 17-14

LYNWOOD KNIGHTS San Gabriel Valley League (8-3-1

Compton Won, 21-0 Carson Lost, 23-0 Rolling Hills Won, 40-0 Downey Won, 14-0 Bishop Amat Lost, 25-14 Gahr Won, 32-10 Warren Won, 21-7 Cerritos Won, 34-13 Dominquez Tied, 14-14 Paramount Lost, 22-13 Capistrano Valley Won, 20-15 Loara Won, 16-0