SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Division II Championship

Huntington Beach vs. Los Alamitos

RECORDS--Huntington Beach (13-0); Los Alamitos (13-0)

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

HUNTINGTON BEACH--Tonight’s matchup features perhaps the county’s best football program, Los Alamitos, against the county’s best player. Tony Gonzalez, the 6-foot-6, 225-pound tight end/linebacker who made an oral commitment to play basketball and football at California, led the team in touchdowns, receptions, and tackles while helping the second-seeded Oilers reach their first title game since winning the 1935 Lower Division minor championship. But Huntington Beach features 6-2, 225-pound fullback Justin Flagg, the team’s leading rusher and second-leading receiver, and quarterback Levi Schuck, who has completed 59% of his passes for more than 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns with only six interceptions. On defense, Nick Ziegler, the Oilers’ sack leader, and Gonzalez, lead a pass rush that will have to pressure Los Alamitos’ Mike Good or the senior quarterback could make it a long night for Josh Holland and the secondary. Huntington Beach has not allowed more than two touchdowns in a game this season.

LOS ALAMITOS--While the Oilers opt for ball-control, the Griffins boast a big-play offense led by some of the finest skill players in the county. Good has completed 60% of his passes for 2,500 yards and 31 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions and wide receiver Brad Melsby has a team-leading 68 receptions for more than 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns. Running back Enrico Bozman has rushed for more than 1,500 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. That explosive balance is a reason why the top-seeded Griffins have extended their unbeaten string to 34 games. “To get the upset, we can’t give up the big play,” Oiler Coach George Pascoe said. The Griffins’ defense has allowed fewer than six points per game. Linebacker Marc Albert, who leads the team tackles and sacks, linebacker Zack Kahler, and defensive tackles Robert Torres and Steve Trammell anchor an aggressive, hard-hitting unit that posted seven shutouts. Tonight, the Griffins will try to win their third consecutive Division II championship. Said Barnes: “I think our experience in the finals is a big edge.”

KEY TO THE GAME--Tempo and turnovers. If the Oilers control the ball, eliminate turnovers and keep the clock moving so Good, Bozman and Co. are on the sideline, they can keep an upset in range, otherwise . . .

CONSENSUS--Los Alamitos will fast-break to its three-peat.