FINAL EXAM

Some teams are right where they were expected to be when the high school football playoffs began four weeks ago.

Others are making surprise appearances.

And there are bound to be a few more unexpected twists by the time the last of 15 championship games conclude this weekend.

Finals in two City Section divisions will be played Friday at the Coliseum and 13 Southern Section division championship games will be played Friday and Saturday at sites throughout the Southland.

A look at each of the games:

CITY SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION

Carson (11-2) vs. Crenshaw (11-2),

Friday at the Coliseum, 8 p.m.

First-year Carson Coach John Aguirre, as expected, has returned the top-seeded Colts to prominence. Carson won the Marine League and is playing for its first championship since 1993. Carson beat North Hollywood, Granada Hills and Dorsey en route to the final. Running backs Wendell Hunter and James Robinson lead Carson, which suffered nonleague defeats against Crenshaw and defending Southern Section Division II champion Diamond Bar. Crenshaw, champion of the Coliseum League, will try to duplicate its 18-7 victory over the Colts on Sept. 17 when the Cougars forced eight turnovers, including five interceptions. Crenshaw lost to Westchester and San Pedro during the regular season. The Cougars, led by fullback Lee Webb, quarterback Devin Hollins and receiver/defensive back Terrence Whitehead, defeated Bell, Granada Hills Kennedy and San Pedro to reach the final.

INVITATIONAL DIVISION

Wilmington Banning (8-4) vs. Gardena (9-3-1),

Friday at the Coliseum, 5 p.m.

USC fans will get a glimpse of Banning tailback Chris Howard in his final high school game before he joins the Trojans. Howard has struggled because of injuries throughout the season but seems to have regained the form that made him one of the most highly regarded backs in the nation. Banning defeated Gardena in Marine League play. Gardena, however, is coming off an impressive 46-20 semifinal victory over Palisades.

SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION I

Long Beach Poly (13-0) vs. Santa Ana Mater Dei (11-2),

Saturday at Edison Field, 7:30 p.m.

They meet again in the final for the third time in three years. Poly won in 1997, ending Mater Dei’s 27-game winning streak, and Mater Dei won last year, ending Poly’s 27-game streak. Mater Dei senior Matt Grootegoed rushed for 244 yards and two touchdowns in 33 carries in last year’s final and is a playmaker on defense. The Monarchs beat Rialto Eisenhower, 28-21, in the semifinals, but gave up 14 points late. Poly was supposed to be rebuilding this year after the loss of so many talented seniors, but sophomore Hershel Dennis has given the Jackrabbits a game-breaker at tailback to go along with its experienced defense. Poly routed Los Alamitos, 35-9, in the semifinals.

DIVISION II

Diamond Bar (13-0) vs. Upland (12-1),

Friday at Cal State Fullerton, 7:30 p.m.

Defending champion Diamond Bar breezed through the Sierra League and the first three rounds of the playoffs. Running back Jason Wright has been the catalyst on offense. His halfback-option pass gave the Brahmas a 21-18 semifinal victory over Lawndale Leuzinger. Caz Hill rushed for 126 yards as third-seeded Upland, which last won the championship in 1995, knocked off second-seeded and previously unbeaten Palos Verdes Peninsula, 24-14, to reach the final.

DIVISION III

Newhall Hart (13-0) vs. Valencia Valencia (10-3),

Saturday at College of the Canyons, 7:30 p.m.

It’s a matchup of Foothill League teams, which does not bode well for Valencia, a 42-21 loser to Hart during the regular season. Hart is regarded by some as the best team in Southern California regardless of division. That is debatable, but the Indians’ firepower is not. Junior quarterback Kyle Matter leads a prolific passing attack and Hart is also outstanding on defense. The Indians will have to be against Valencia running back Manuel White, who ran for a school-record 305 yards and scored five touchdowns in a semifinal victory over Saugus.

DIVISION IV

Westlake (12-1) vs. San Luis Obispo (12-1),

Friday at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 7:30 p.m.

Top-seeded San Luis Obispo is led by running back Khaled Elmasri, who gained 256 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 27-14 semifinal victory over Newbury Park. Westlake is making its first championship-game appearance after defeating defending champion Arroyo Grande, 24-7, in the semifinals. Westlake quarterback Zac Wasserman, who has signed with Penn State, has received most of the attention, but the Warriors have been winning with defense.

DIVISION V

Rancho Cucamonga (12-1) vs. Menifee Paloma Valley (12-1),

Friday at Chaffey College, 7:30 p.m.

Quarterback Nick Fotia passed for 1,794 yards and 22 touchdowns during the regular season and has led Rancho Cucamonga with his passing and rushing in the playoffs, including a 38-28 semifinal victory over Temecula Valley. Paloma Valley quarterback Ryan Lundstrom and receiver Rickey Moore are potent weapons for the Wildcats, 34-17 semifinal winners over Alta Loma.

DIVISION VI

Newport Harbor (12-0-1) vs. Irvine (10-2-1),

Friday at

Orange Coast College, 7:30 p.m

It’s an all-Sea View League final. Newport Harbor running back Andre Stewart has rushed for a school-record 2,221 yards. He gained 227 last week in a 49-0 semifinal victory over La Palma Kennedy. Irvine, led by middle linebacker Mike Patterson, defeated Loara, 15-9.

DIVISION VII

Covina Charter Oak (13-0) vs. Hacienda Heights Los Altos (12-1),

Saturday at Citrus College, 7:30 p.m.

This is another championship game between league rivals. Defending division champion Charter Oak beat Los Altos, 27-24, in Miramonte League play Oct. 15. The Chargers are led by running back Jason David and an opportunistic defense. Running back Joey Gonzalez leads Los Altos.

DIVISION VIII

Bloomington (10-3) at Barstow (12-1),

Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Defending champion Bloomington is led by running backs Ronnie Adams and Artie Allen. The Bruins defeated Palo Verde, Serrano and Temescal Canyon en route to the final. Barstow, champion of the Mojave River League, beat Brawley, Hemet and La Quinta to reach the championship game.

DIVISION IX

La Verne Bonita (13-0) vs. Brea Olinda (12-0-1),

Friday at Mt. San Antonio College, 7:30 p.m.

Top-seeded Bonita is playing for its first title since 1945. The Bearcats are led by DeAndre Belin, who gained 172 yards and scored three touchdowns in a semifinal victory over San Dimas. Kenny Washington has gained 2,029 yards and is averaging 10.2 yards a carry for Brea Olinda, which last won a title in 1963.

DIVISION X

Monrovia (12-1) vs. Paso Robles (11-2),

Friday at Citrus College, 7:30 p.m.

This is a rematch of last year’s final won by Paso Robles. Many thought Monrovia would be rebuilding this season, but the Wildcats are back after playoff victories over Santa Maria St. Joseph, North Torrance and West Torrance. Paso Robles beat South Pasadena, Redondo and South Torrance to reach the final.

DIVISION XI

Ventura St. Bonaventure (13-0) vs. Ojai Nordhoff (11-2),

Saturday at Ventura, 7 p.m.

St. Bonaventure is led by running back Lorenzo Booker, who rushed for 186 yards and three touchdowns in a 44-20 semifinal victory over Banning. Nordhoff running back Jessie Hawkins rushed for 304 yards in a 41-27 semifinal victory over top-seeded Cathedral.

DIVISION XII

Lancaster Paraclete (10-3) vs. Malibu Kilpatrick (9-4),

Saturday at Antelope Valley College, 7:30 p.m.

This is a repeat of last year’s final, won by Paraclete, 25-14. It might be tougher this time around if Kilpatrick running back Jermaine Marshall gets rolling. Marshall needs 58 yards to break the Southern Section single-season rushing mark of 3,523 yards set by David Dotson of Moreno Valley Valley View in 1991. Paraclete beat Kilpatrick, 36-20, in Alpha League play Nov. 5. Paraclete is led by quarterback Rob Fockaert.

DIVISION XIII

Pasadena Poly (10-2) vs. Redlands Arrowhead Christian (7-5),

Saturday at South Pasadena, 7:30 p.m.

Arrowhead Christian, which runs the double wing-T, defeated Riverside Sherman Indian, Claremont Webb and Brentwood to reach the final. Pasadena Poly beat Downey Calvary Chapel, Mammoth and La Canada Flintridge Prep in the playoffs.