PREP FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES : Reaching Final Is Only Half the Fun : Southern Section: Duarte Coach Bob Rau, who guided La Habra to a title game in 1983, would like to make amends for a loss in that game.

Bob Rau learned a valuable lesson in 1983 when he guided the La Habra High football team to a Southern Section championship game.

La Habra was defeated, 29-0, by Sunny Hills for the Central Division title at Anaheim Stadium.

“Our whole cry that year was, ‘Go to Anaheim,’ ” Rau said. “We forgot to set that one other goal--winning the game once we got there.”

Rau, who has led Duarte to a 12-0 record this season, does not intend to make the same mistake twice.

“Our goal with this team wasn’t to get to the finals,” Rau said. “From the start of the season, this team’s goal has been to win the final.”

Duarte will get its chance this weekend. So will Bishop Amat and San Marino as the three San Gabriel Valley teams compete for Southern Section championships in different divisions.

Here is a look at the three games:

DIVISION I

Bishop Amat (13-0) vs. Loyola (12-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Anaheim Stadium--The most prestigious Southern Section championship will be at stake in this rematch between Del Rey League rivals.

Bishop Amat, which defeated Loyola, 28-14, on Nov. 7, advanced to the final with a 28-6 victory over Eisenhower.

The Lancers are led by running back Rodney Sermons, who gained 162 yards and scored four touchdowns against Eisenhower. Wilhans Eli anchors the offensive and defensive lines for the Lancers, who are seeking their first Southern Section championship since 1971.

Beating the same team twice in a season has historically proven difficult for even the best teams. Bishop Amat Coach Mark Paredes said he is not concerned because the Lancers will be playing what he called a “different” Loyola team.

“They have had to have gotten better since we played them, and we’ve also improved,” Paredes said. “In that first game, the score made it look like we beat them pretty handily. But they moved the ball on us. We were lucky to get into the end zone.”

Loyola is coming off a 17-7 victory over Fontana. The Cubs, who won the 1990 Division I title, are led by quarterback Clelio Boccato, who has passed for 1,695 yards and six touchdowns. Eric Rogers has rushed for 920 yards and seven touchdowns for Loyola, which is averaging 31 points a game.

“We hoped we would have an opportunity to play Bishop Amat again,” said Loyola Coach Steve Grady, who has a 1-8 record against the Lancers. “We knew our only chance would be in the title game. We’re thrilled we’re getting another shot.”

DIVISION VI

Duarte (12-0) vs. Valencia (10-3), Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Citrus College--Duarte will be challenged in its bid for a perfect season by a Valencia team that is attempting to defend its division title.

Duarte advanced to the final with a 31-28 victory over Santa Fe. The Falcons stopped Santa Fe inside the nine-yard line six times in the last minute.

“I’m still taking Maalox because of that ending, that’s no joke,” Rau said. “I finally got a good night’s sleep on Monday because the last atoms of adrenaline got out of my system.”

Duarte is led by quarterback Greg Ainsworth, who has rushed for 1,420 yards, passed for 690 and scored 21 touchdowns. Fullback Johnnie Shelton has gained 1,153 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. Nathaniel Jacquet has gained 626 yards and is averaging 10 yards a carry. Linebacker Joe Barnes anchors the Falcon defense.

Valencia, seeking its third Southern Section championship, defeated Covina, Charter Oak and Whittier en route to the final. The Tigers, under Coach Mike Marrujo, are led by running backs Ace Riggins and Chris Draft, quarterback Rob Petko and lineman Charles Corrales.

Duarte, which uses a run-oriented option offense, may be slowed if rain soaks the field before or during the game.

Rau isn’t worried.

“We have played very well in the mud this year,” he said.

DIVISION VIII

San Marino (10-2) vs. La Mirada (9-4), Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at San Marino--San Marino is going after its first championship since 1988 when the Titans won the Division VII title.

San Marino defeated Century, 16-14, in the semifinals on a 19-yard field goal by Tommy Moreland with 2 minutes 39 seconds left in the game. Moreland, a running back who missed a few weeks because of the flu, expects to play a key role against La Mirada. He averages 39.4 yards a punt and has field-goal range of about 50 yards.

San Marino quarterback Scott Shaw passed for 243 yards and a touchdown against Century. His favorite receiver is Steve Park, who scored on a 22-yard touchdown pass play against Century.

La Mirada, which has never won a championship, has rebounded after losing its first two games and three of its first five. The Matadors defeated Blair, Trabuco Hills and La Sierra en route to the final.

La Mirada is led by quarterback Mike Moschetti, running back Ron Hura and linebacker Charlie Loya.

“We played great at times in the semifinals, but we made some mistakes in critical situations,” San Marino Coach Bill Maloney said. “We can’t afford to do that in a championship game.”