Palos Verdes Peninsula (2-0) vs. No. 3 Esperanza (2-0)

7 TONIGHT VALENCIA HIGH

How much respect does Esperanza Coach Gary Meek have for Peninsula, which has won four consecutive Bay League titles and is the defending Southern Section Division II champion? “They are as good or better than Rancho Alamitos was last year,” Meek said. That Vaquero team beat Esperanza, 36-14. The Aztecs got a measure of revenge against Rancho Alamitos Friday, when they scored a 44-6 victory behind quarterback Grant Wagner’s four touchdown passes. Peninsula, which excels at the option attack, has a shorter bus ride. Last week, the Panthers traveled to Las Vegas and beat Durango, 21-6.

KEY PLAYERS

Peninsula

WR Chris Haynes

5 rec., 70 yds., 2 TDs

QB Matt Hivley

11 of 18, 205 yds., 3 TDs

TE Tom Swoboda

4 rec., 115 yds., 1 TD

Esperanza

WR Aaron Hill

8 rec., 112 yds., 1 TD

RB Jarrod Schuster

27 carries, 145 yds., 1 TD

QB Grant Wagner

25 of 38, 397 yds., 5 TDs