SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Division X: Southern California Christian vs. Calvary Chapel

RECORDS--Southern California Christian (11-2), Calvary Chapel (11-1).

SITE--Santa Ana Stadium.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHRISTIAN UPDATE--With tailback Mike Jacot and fullback Dennis Amundson, the Flames showcase an explosive running attack, one that few teams were able to contain this season. Jacot tied Jeff Byrd of Rancho Alamitos for the county rushing title with 1,492 yards in the regular season and has added another 409 to that total in the playoffs. Amundson has 1,229 rushing yards coming into this game, including the 174 he picked up in last week’s 20-10 victory over Rosamond in the semifinals. Because of the ground-oriented game, quarterback Nathan Lambie throws sporadically during games but can do so effectively. He has completed 56 of 103 passes for 839 yards and eight touchdowns. “I really feel we can pass and run on them,” Coach Bert Esposito said. When the teams met Nov. 16 with the Arrowhead League title on the line, Calvary Chapel won, 19-14. Amundson, however, left the game at the half after suffering a bruised diaphragm in the second quarter. “If Amundson had stayed in the game, we could have scored a couple of more times,” Esposito said.

CALVARY CHAPEL UPDATE--While Southern California Christian keeps the ball on the ground, the Eagles rely more on a passing game sparked by Jason Sharkey. The senior quarterback has thrown for 1,722 yards and 21 touchdowns, with many of those passes going to tight end Jake Guild (23 receptions for 352 yards). When they decide to run the ball out of their single-back setup, the Eagles go to Matt Kellogg, who comes into the game with 1,203 yards rushing and 16 rushing touchdowns. To win tonight, Coach Kris Van Hook said his team will have to mix it up offensively. “We’ll have to play better than we did (against Southern California Christian) last time,” Van Hook said. “We threw the ball real well on them, but we’ll have to run better.” In that game, Sharkey completed his first eight passes on his way to 206 yards passing and two touchdowns. “I expect them to make some adjustments in their defense against our passing game, so we’ll have to be more balanced offensively,” Van Hook said. Linebackers Armando Parra (168 tackles) and Guild (138 tackles) lead the defense.

KEY TO THE GAME--Defense. That’s what it usually boils down to when two successful offensive teams meet. Southern California Christian needs to pressure Sharkey and cut down his passing lanes. Calvary Chapel must stop Jacot and Amundson from breaking long runs.

CONSENSUS--Based on their games last week, Southern California Christian might have an edge in momentum and confidence. The Flames by a field goal.