Bell Gardens, La Mirada Approach Playoff Finals in Different Ways : Prep football: The Lancers will meet Hawthorne in a battle of defensive powers, while the offensive-minded Matadores will play second-seeded San Marino.

Two area high school football teams that have survived on different philosophies play CIF Southern Section finals this weekend.

In what is expected to be a defensive struggle, Bell Gardens (12-1) plays speedy Hawthorne (11-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at La Mirada High in the Division III championship game.

In the Division VIII final, offensive-minded La Mirada (9-4), led by the passing of senior quarterback Mike Moschetti, plays San Marino (10-2) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at San Marino High.

Top-seeded Bell Gardens has won 10 consecutive games. Led by linebackers Pete Garcia and Cesar Magana and defensive ends Art Zaniewski and German Chavez, the Lancers recorded four shutouts and won the Almont League title. Garcia set a school record with 97 solo tackles.

On offense, Bell Gardens’ ball-control option is led by junior tailback Francisco Samano, who has gained more than 1,300 yards rushing.

Coach Dave Newell believes the Lancers are peaking at the right time. “We’ve just gotten better as the playoffs have gone on,” he said.

Hawthorne, which finished second in the Bay League, has also been tough on defense. The Cougars forced San Marcos to fumble twice and then converted the fumbles into touchdowns in a 14-9 semifinal victory last Friday. San Marcos had been averaging more than 30 points a contest. Linebacker Tevita Moala set a school record with 155 tackles, including 46 in three playoff games.

Newell, however, is worried that Hawthorne plays much like Downey, a game he would just as soon forget. The Lancers’ only loss was to Downey, 33-8, in the third game of the season. Four key players for Bell Gardens missed that game because of disciplinary reasons.

“We’re going to have to play way above our heads in this game,” Newell said. “We’re going against athletes and great speed. For us to win we’ll have to control the ball.”

By comparison, Bell Gardens defeated Schurr High of Montebello, 21-0, during the regular season, and Hawthorne eliminated Schurr from the playoffs in the first round, 15-7.

La Mirada lost three of its first five games and the Suburban League title game to Artesia on the last day of the regular season. But in three playoff games the Matadores have averaged more than 30 points.

The three early season losses were to teams that advanced into the playoffs. For example, La Mirada lost, 49-20, to Division VI finalist Valencia of Placentia, the defending division champion.

“After those games I told the kids to just hang in there,” La Mirada Coach John Mele said. “We stumbled a bit against Artesia, but we have been playing well all year.”

Fifteen underclassmen start for the Matadores, but the team has been paced by Moschetti, who has passed for 2,162 yards and 25 touchdowns. His favorite target has been Alex Khasaempanth, who caught two touchdown passes, including one for 80 yards, in a 28-14 semifinal win over La Sierra of Riverside last Saturday.

Running back Ryan Hura has gained more than 1,000 yards, including 128 on 21 attempts two weeks ago in a 35-21 quarterfinal win over Trabuco Hills of Mission Viejo.

Second-seeded San Marino has won four divisional titles in six appearances, most recently in 1988. The Rio Hondo League champions, who lost to Saugus, 47-7, and South Pasadena, 17-7, in the regular season, have since won four consecutive games.