A Look at Today’s Key matchups

CITY SECTION

DIVISION 4-A SEMIFINAL

* TAFT (11-0) vs. SYLMAR (11-1)

At Taft High, 7 p.m.

The winner gets bragging rights as the region’s premier 4-A team and a trip to the Coliseum for the championship game. Taft humiliated Sylmar, 30-6, in the opener last season, so the Spartans are using revenge as motivation. Taft is taking a business-style approach. “We are very confident in our abilities,” Coach Troy Starr said. “We know what Sylmar can do. We know what we can do.” Both teams rely on speed. Sylmar’s defense is the region’s best, allowing 144 yards a game. Taft features a productive and balanced offensive attack. Taft’s Steve Alvarado has completed 54% of his passes for nearly 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns and has an exceptional corps of receivers, including Dominic Early and Ronald Andrews. Marquis Brignac, who has rushed for 1,324 yards, and Sedric Hurns, who has 616 yards, have combined for 21 rushing touchdowns. Sylmar platoons quarterbacks Joey LaPorte and Noah Albiston. They had only three of 177 passes intercepted. But they will throw against a quick defense that allows just 226 yards. LaPorte, who has passed for 795 yards and four touchdowns, will start. Receiver Shaun Avalos, with 46 catches for 738 yards and seven touchdowns, is the main target. Avalos, who kicks, punts and starts at free safety, has a region-high 12 interceptions. Errol Bowen and Donald Carpenter have rushed for more than 2,000 yards and average 8.2 yards a carry.

DIVISION 3-A SEMIFINAL

* EL CAMINO REAL (8-4) vs. JEFFERSON (9-3)

At Canoga Park High, 7 p.m.

The game features two talented running backs, with top billing to Quincy Wright of El Camino Real, who has rushed 202 times for 1,713 yards and 20 touchdowns. Against Monroe last week, Wright had 269 yards and four touchdowns on a soggy field. Aaron Fredette has passed for 1,237 yards and 12 touchdowns, but it is the ground game that worries Jefferson. “We are scared to death of [Wright],” Coach Hank Johnson said. “We want to have a lot of people around him when he gets the ball.” Jefferson is small along the defensive line. The Democrats will play ball-control offense with Joshua Griffin, who has 1,673 yards on 166 carries. Griffin has 16 touchdowns rushing, four receiving, four on kickoff returns and one on an interception return. Wide receiver Gary Love has 36 receptions for 855 yards and 11 touchdowns.

DIVISION 3-A SEMIFINAL

* CHATSWORTH (7-5) vs. CARSON (5-5-2)

At Gardena High, 7 p.m.

Fans of numerology have to love the Chancellors’ chances against the top-seeded Colts. Beginning in 1979, Chatsworth has advanced to the 3-A final every six years. The last appearance was in 1991. The Chancellors will have a chance to extend Myron Gibford’s coaching career by another week, because they can pass, no matter who is the quarterback. When he’s healthy, senior Ryan Martinez has been the starter, passing for 766 yards and four touchdowns. But Martinez also plays running back and wide receiver, leaving promising sophomore Matt Cassel at quarterback. Cassel has passed for 918 yards and 10 touchdowns with just one pass intercepted. Carson tailback Maurice Miller went over 1,000 yards rushing last week with 91 yards in a 33-30 victory over Eagle Rock. Ed Nabayan has passed for 1,647 yards and 18 touchdowns and has had 11 passes intercepted. The Carson staff includes former Arizona quarterback George Malauulu and UCLA defensive lineman Arnold Ale, both Carson alums.

SOUTHERN SECTION

DIVISION II SEMIFINAL

* HART (11-1) vs. PENINSULA (12-0)

At Harbor College, 7:30 p.m.

Fourth-seeded Hart is on a mission. Nobody gave the inexperienced Indians much of a chance at the beginning of the season, but they have reached the Division II semifinals for the third time in four years. Hart, which won section championships in 1983, 1986 and 1995, has not lost a semifinal game since moving to Division II in 1992. The last time these teams met was in a 1995 semifinal which Hart won, 37-3. Receiver Jerry Owens proved he is effective even with a broken toe when he scored on a 53-yard pass play and made an acrobatic interception against Palmdale last week. Hart limited Palmdale to 18 rushing yards. It will take another solid effort to stop top-seeded Peninsula and its balanced offense, which has averaged more than 40 points a game this season and has scored 87 points in playoff victories over Canyon and Warren.

DIVISION X SEMIFINAL

* MOORPARK (11-1) vs. CARPINTERIA (8-3)

At Moorpark High, 7:30 p.m.

The Warriors have beaten Moorpark 51 consecutive times, although second-year Musketeer Coach Ron Wilford is not focusing on The Streak with his players as they approach the game. The teams have not played since 1991. “They’ve never played Carpinteria,” Wilford said of his players. “Some of them have brothers or uncles or cousins who have, so they’re very much aware of it without me harping on it. I think our kids need to be more concerned that it’s a semifinal game.” Moorpark’s defense, the trademark of the team, is allowing 8.3 points and 61.5 rushing yards per game. Linebacker-running back Shane Brogdon has been coming up with the tough yards for the Musketeers recently, and has 414 yards and eight touchdowns in 83 carries this season. Chad Willis has thrown 19 touchdown passes, while only eight of his passes have been intercepted. Carpinteria also is stingy, allowing 12.3 points per game. Fullback Ryan Gocong, a converted quarterback, has rushed for 950 yards and eight touchdowns in 125 carries. Four receivers have at least 20 catches for the Warriors.

DIVISION XI SEMIFINAL

* PARACLETE (10-1) vs. YUCCA VALLEY (9-3)

At Quartz Hill High, 7:30 p.m.

Paraclete knows its opponent all too well, for the Trojans eliminated the Spirits last season in the quarterfinals, 25-15. Big, strong and relentless, Yucca Valley is the division’s defending champion. This season, however, Paraclete boasts an improved defense. The unit has not allowed more than 16 points in a game. The Spirits hope senior tailback Dominic Washington can return after he sprained an ankle and sat out last week. Washington has rushed for 1,612 yards and 22 touchdowns and was replaced last week by quarterback Sean Fraser, who rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Robbie Fockaert filled in at quarterback, completing 14 of 19 passes for 166 yards and ran three yards for a touchdown. Two-way starter Tommy Breech caught seven passes for 120 yards. Paraclete has won two consecutive High Desert League titles and is the division’s No. 2-seeded team, while Yucca Valley is the No. 2 team from the Skyline League. Yucca Valley limited Division XI player of the year Chris Hanks of Cathedral to 68 yards in the quarterfinals last week. Fullback Travis Van Hulten heads an option attack and has rushed for 450 yards. Quarterback Kevin Lesko has rushed for 780 yards and passed for 650 yards.