Division III: : Los Alamitos vs. Esperanza

RECORDS--Los Alamitos (11-2), Esperanza (13-0).

SITE--Cerritos College, 7:30 p.m.

LOS ALAMITOS UPDATE--Unseeded Los Alamitos makes its third championship appearance in the past five years and the fourth in school history. The Griffins lost to Paramount, 30-20, in 1988 and to El Toro, 36-6, in 1987. The Griffins meet longtime Empire League rival Esperanza. Since Esperanza joined the league in 1981, the two teams have dominated. Los Alamitos won five consecutive games over Esperanza from 1985-89 and had a 20-game league winning streak stopped by the Aztecs last season. The Griffins’ top offensive players this season are juniors: quarterback Tim Carey, receiver George Sagen and running back Marchant Wright. Carey has completed 170 of 319 passes for 2,291 yards and 20 touchdowns. Sagen, who also plays defensive back, has an Orange County-leading 70 receptions for 975 yards. Wright has 856 yards in 199 carries.

ESPERANZA UPDATE--Top-seeded Esperanza has won a Southern Section-leading 27 consecutive games, including the division’s 1990 championship, 25-7, over St. Paul. In that span, the Aztecs have beaten Los Alamitos twice--27-3 last season and 28-7 this year. It’s the fourth-longest streak in section history. Temple City (1970-74) and Canyon Country Canyon (1983-86) share the record at 46. Esperanza has done it with a straight-forward approach, spearheaded by a steady running attack led by Garrick Emry and Marcus Tayui. Emry has gained 1,181 yards and scored 15 touchdowns in 205 carries. Tayui has gained 746 yards in 106 carries. He has scored seven touchdowns in three playoff games. Quarterback Josh Buscaglio doesn’t throw often, averaging fewer than 10 attempts per game, but his passes usually are on the mark. He has completed 59 of 129 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensive back Jason Long set a school record with his 12th career interception in last week’s 49-7 victory over Schurr.

KEY TO THE GAME--Defense. Los Alamitos needs to slow Esperanza’s rushing attack in order to win. Esperanza must slow the Griffins’ run-and-shoot.

CONSENSUS--The edge should go to Esperanza, all things considered. Esperanza is a safe pick, and probably the right pick.