Friendly Fire

Today, quarterback Johnathan Pate will attend classes at Fullerton High, visit briefly with his friends, then withdraw into the mode of concentration he uses to prepare for a game.

He will also remember to bring his lucky shirt, the one with the Superman signature “S” on the front.

A few miles away at Troy High, fullback Todd Frazier will attend classes, talk with his friends, then submerge into his world of pregame thoughts.

He will make sure he has his good-luck socks, the ones he wore in the victory over Canyon on Oct. 2 and in every game since.

Finally, at 7 tonight, Pate and Frazier will duel when Troy plays at Fullerton.

Along with bragging rights, first place in the Freeway League is on the line.

Fullerton is 4-4 overall, but 3-0 in league. If the Indians win tonight, they will clinch a tie for the championship. Troy, which was favored to win the Freeway title this season, is 5-3, 2-1.

Should the Warriors win and Sunny Hills (also 2-1 in league) defeats Sonora tonight, there would be a three-way tie for first place with one game remaining. Fullerton plays at Buena Park in Week 10 and Troy faces Sunny Hills.

Troy holds an 18-13-1 edge against Fullerton, dating back to 1966. Since 1984, Troy has an 8-6 edge with victories the last two years.

“It is a cross-town rivalry and it can get heated,” Frazier said. “But off the field it’s pretty cool. The other day our girls’ volleyball [team] played Fullerton. A couple of their football players came to watch and we talked.

“There won’t be any ‘hate’ until the game.”

Pate, who grew up in Fullerton and watched his older brother Rick play in the series, agreed.

“The rivalry is just on the field,” Pate said. “But tonight, it’s the biggest game of the league.”

Pate will handle the ball most of the time for Fullerton. In addition to playing quarterback, he has returned punts and kickoffs, and also plays cornerback.

Pate has rushed for 476 yards in 93 carries and scored seven touchdowns. He has passed for 575 yards (45 of 86) and five touchdowns.

“Our thoughts are,” Fullerton Coach Julian Smilowitz said, “get the ball in the hands of our best player as much as we can, and John fits the bill.”

Last season, Pate was a receiver, running back and backup quarterback. Although he knew the plays, Smilowitz said it took awhile for Pate to pick up on the nuances.

After floundering in losses to Bellflower and Magnolia this season, Pate said the team decided “we were tired of not playing well.”

Pate “started to take control in the second half of the El Modena game,” Smilowitz said. Though Fullerton eventually lost to El Modena, the Indians have not lost since. They stunned Sunny Hills, 24-21, and in victories over La Habra and Sonora, outscored their opponents, 63-7.

“That Sunny Hills game was the most special,” Pate said. “I had not beaten them in football [in two previous seasons], and it was the first game of league. If we lose that game, everyone gets discouraged. Instead, we have taken off.”

Tonight’s game is a must win for Frazier because the Warriors were beaten by La Habra, 48-35, for their only league loss.

“I wish we had that game back,” Frazier said. “[La Habra running back] Josh Herrera had a huge game, we got fooled on a couple of broken plays, and we messed up. But if we win tonight, I feel we’ll win league even though we still have Sunny Hills.”

Troy Coach John Turek said he will give Frazier every chance to make the big play.

“He’s the go-to guy for us. People know they have to stop him,” Turek said. “He’s the heart of our team.”

Frazier, who also plays linebacker and is a two-time all-league selection, has the numbers to back up his coach’s expectations. Frazier has rushed for 1,048 yards in 143 carries and scored 13 touchdowns. But he’s not a one-man show.

Brent Murray has rushed for 737 yards and Steve Harris for 422.

Sunny Hills Coach Tim Devaney, who would like Troy to win again so his team can stay in the title chase, said the Warriors had better expect to play a full game.

“Fullerton played a great game against us,” Devaney said. “They play aggressive on defense, and Pate is dangerous because he’s both quick and durable.”

Frazier said the Warriors will be ready.

“When Fullerton comes around, we strap it up and give the extra bit of effort,” he said. “Just because it’s Fullerton.”

TROY VS. FULLERTON

Featured Game

When: 7 tonight

Where: Fullerton High

Records: Troy 5-3, 2-1; Fullerton 4-4, 3-0

Rankings: Neither team is ranked.

Noteworthy: Fullerton, after a rugged nonleague schedule, is the surprising league leader and can clinch at least a tie for the Freeway championship with a victory tonight. “Our kids are playing to their potential now,” Fullerton Coach Julian Smilowitz said. But Troy, which has won the last two meetings between these rivals, is right behind Fullerton. The Warriors rely on their triple-threat backfield of Todd Frazier, Brent Murray and Steve Harris. Troy must contain Fullerton quarterback Johnathan Pate, who runs as well as he throws.