A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

CITY SECTION

* PALISADES (10-1) vs. TAFT (10-0)

At Taft High, 7 p.m.

The Toreadors made a mockery of their game against San Fernando in the first round last week, building a 52-6 lead after three quarters. Six weeks ago, the Tigers lost by just two touchdowns to Taft. Marquis Brignac had one of his best games of the season, rushing for 149 yards in 11 carries. Senior Dominic Early--27 receptions for 361 yards--has emerged as Taft’s leading receiver in the second half of the season, but quarterback Steve Alvarado spreads his passes among Early, K.C. Bounds, Ronald Andrews and Lawrence Wallace. The eighth-seeded Dolphins’ biggest threat is tailback Larry Williams, a transfer from Texas who has gained more than 1,200 yards. Williams, whose eligibility was questioned earlier in the season, missed Palisades’ lone defeat, a 12-0 loss to undefeated Westchester. Palisades came from behind to defeat Dorsey, 33-26, in the first round, with under a minute left.

* FRANKLIN (9-2) vs. SYLMAR (10-1)

At Sylmar High, 7 p.m.

Sylmar’s region-leading defense, which allows only 147 yards a game, will be tested by fifth-seeded Franklin, which has one of the most potent offenses in the City Section. The Panthers’ run-and-shoot could spell trouble for the Spartans, who continued their undisciplined ways last week with 17 penalties against Canoga Park. Franklin’s Erik Garcia has completed 69% of his passes for 2,635 yards and 41 touchdowns, and rushed for 554 yards and seven touchdowns. Garcia’s primary target is Chris Jauregui, who has 60 catches for 1,042 yards and 22 touchdowns. Oscar Serrano has rushed for 1,062 yards and 10 touchdowns. Fourth-seeded Sylmar, which averages 385 yards a game, has several weapons, but no one who can shoulder the load. Joey LaPorte and Noah Albiston have combined to pass for 1,450 yards and 12 touchdowns. Errol Bowen and Donald Carpenter have combined for nearly 2,000 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns. Safety Shaun Avalos of Sylmar has has 10 of his region-leading 11 interceptions in the last five games.

* MONROE (8-3) vs. EL CAMINO REAL (7-4)

At Canoga Park High, 7 p.m.

Both teams are healing and gathering momentum after injuries short-circuited fast starts. Both rely on the running game, which might be slowed by a soggy field. Second-seeded El Camino Real, which routed Roosevelt, 38-6, in a first-round game, needed only 81 yards from explosive Quincy Wright, who had only two carries in the second half. Wright also returned a punt 62 yards for a score. Wright has rushed for 1,445 yards and 16 touchdowns. Aaron Fredette has passed for 1,143 yards and 11 touchdowns. Monroe’s double-wing attack is spearheaded by Vinny Walker and George Garcia, who have combined for more than 2,500 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. The Vikings, who edged Crenshaw, 21-20, in the first round, average 307 rushing yards per game and rank first among regional teams with 3,382 rushing yards. Diego Barba has thrown only 27 passes and has 404 of Monroe’s 502 passing yards. Omar Stewart has 16 of the Vikings’ 30 receptions.

* CHATSWORTH (6-5) vs. GARFIELD (5-4-1)

At Garfield High, 7 p.m.

The Myron Gibford retirement party lasts another week as the 13th-seeded Chancellors survived with a goal-line stand in a 26-22 victory over South Gate last week. Gibford, the dean of Northwest Valley Conference coaches, announced his retirement before the season. The Chancellors didn’t figure to make much of a playoff run after quarterback-defensive back Ryan Martinez had to miss the first round game because he was ejected the previous week. But sophomore Matt Cassel completed 10 of 14 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Eric Harris gained 107 yards in his first start replacing ineligible running back Clyde Young. Garfield, seeded 12th, squeaked past Manual Arts, 20-14. The Bulldogs are usually a 4-A playoff team but returned only one starter and struggled early in the season. Garfield is led by senior quarterback Fernie Montes and sophomore wide receiver Erik Nava.