A Look At Today’s Key Matchups

SOUTHERN SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS

DIVISION III

* ST. PAUL (11-2) vs. HART (11-2)

At College of the Canyons, 7:30 p.m.

Hart, averaging 44.9 points per game, goes against St. Paul, which set a Southern Section record by shutting out six consecutive teams. Hart was almost ambushed by Alemany last week, but the defense held strong in a 21-13 victory. Quarterback Kyle Boller of Hart is trying to become the first player in California history, and second in the nation, to surpass 5,000 yards passing in a season. He has completed 279 of 433 passes for 4,687 yards with 58 touchdowns and only three interceptions. The only on-the-field loss for St. Paul was a 26-17 setback to Alemany in a Mission League game. The Swordsmen forfeited a victory over Mission Viejo because it used an ineligible player. Marcell Allmond of St. Paul, who is being recruited by several Pac-10 and Big Ten schools, scored on a 25-yard reception and intercepted two passes last week in a 49-19 victory over Valencia. Manuel Murillo rushed for 128 yards against Valencia.

DIVISION VII

* HARVARD-WESTLAKE (10-3) vs. CHARTER OAK (9-2-1)

At Charter Oak High, 7:30 p.m.

The Wolverines can cement their status as the Cinderella playoff team for the region if they can stop Steve Stevenson, a converted wide receiver. Stevenson rushed for two touchdowns and returned an interception 65 yards for another in Charter Oak’s 28-7 victory over Bell Gardens last week. Harvard-Westlake upset top-seeded Los Altos, 21-14, in the semifinals when George Witter scored on a seven-yard run with 1:19 left. Witter has scored 25 touchdowns and gained 1,765 yards rushing. Tight end Alex Holmes, a nimble 300-pounder, has 41 receptions for 846 yards and seven touchdowns. He threw an option pass for a touchdown against Los Altos. Holmes also excels at linebacker, returning an interception 67 yards for a game-clinching touchdown against Alemany earlier this year. Harvard-Westlake is making its first section final appearance since 1986. Charter Oak has given up 27 points in three playoff games.

DIVISION XII

* KILPATRICK (8-5) vs. PARACLETE (12-1)

At Antelope Valley College, 7:30 p.m.

Paraclete defeated the Mustangs, 40-14, for the Alpha League title five weeks ago. Kilpatrick was even at halftime, 14-14, but unraveled in the second half, losing five fumbles, three inside the Paraclete 20. The Spirits, who won the Division XI title last year and is 25-2 the last two seasons, has Curtis Brown, who has rushed for 1,027 yards and 11 touchdowns. Rob Fockaert has passed for 1,799 yards and 17 touchdowns while having only two passes intercepted, with Josh White and Tommy Breech combining for 74 receptions, 1,364 yards and 18 touchdowns. John McMurtry has kicked five field goals without a miss and 40 of 47 extra points. Kilpatrick, which installed the wing-T after a 1-3 start, relies on wingbacks Albert Youngblood and Kevin White, who have accounted for 2,667 yards and 28 touchdowns. Ray Gomez has passed for 659 yards and three touchdowns with five passes intercepted.