HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : COASTAL CONFERENCE : Muir vs. Antelope Valley

Pasadena Muir has won 23 straight games, more than any team in the Southern Section. But the Mustangs must venture to the home turf of a vicious gang of streak fighters for Friday night’s Coastal Conference final.

Antelope Valley (11-1-1) won the Golden League title five weeks ago by ending Canyon Country Canyon’s 46-game winning streak. Even the hottest team, it seems, can freeze up on a cold night in Lancaster.

“I’d tell the people coming for the game to bundle up real well,” Antelope Valley Coach Brent Newcomb said. Temperatures of 15-20 degrees and swirling winds are the norm at Antelope Valley this time of year.

Muir Coach Jim Brownfield has no expectations of receiving a warm welcome. And his sentiment has little to do with the weather.

“I think the officiating out there is ludicrous,” he said. “I saw films of their game with Canyon and it was ridiculous. That bothers me more than anything about going out there.”

The game matches two fine running backs. Muir’s Rick Ervins (5-11, 190), the returning conference Player of the Year, has rushed for 2,846 yards and scored 39 touchdowns during the last two seasons. Antelope Valley’s Eric Mortenson (5-11, 185) has rushed for 1,816 yards in 255 carries and has scored 29 touchdowns this season. Ervins, however, is suffering from a knee injury and has been moved from tailback to fullback.

“He can’t run much,” Coach Jim Brownfield said. “He’s a good blocker and still wants to play.”

Andreas Douglas, who rushed for 86 yards last week, will replace Ervins at tailback. He scored on a 12-yard reverse and an 18-yard sweep last week. Antelope Valley can counter with Shon Grimes, a versatile runner, receiver and kick returner. “Shon is our shake-and-bake guy,” Newcomb said.

Mortenson rushed for 252 yards in 39 carries in the Antelopes’ 21-20 win over Canyon and has scored touchdowns on his first carry in each of the three playoff games. Ervins gained only 20 yards in 6 carries in Muir’s 22-14 win over Canyon last week while playing on the bad knee.

Muir (13-0) may have an edge at quarterback, where left-handed Vince Phillips has completed 150 of 228 passes for 1,845 yards and run for 308. Newcomb takes exception to that assessment, however, noting that his quarterback, junior Ron Whipple, has passed for 1,333 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. “Ron has quietly led the team to successive conference finals,” Newcomb said.

Antelope Valley lost to Canyon, 9-7, in the Northwestern Conference final last season. The Golden League was moved up to the Coastal Conference this season, but the Antelopes haven’t broken stride, beating playoff opponents Ventura, Pasadena and South Torrance by a combined score of 102-14.

Muir defeated Hart, 28-14, in the Coastal Conference final last season and hasn’t stopped winning.