GAME DAY / A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

SOUTHERN SECTION QUARTERFINALS

* MATER DEI (9-2) vs. ALEMANY (8-3)

At Alemany, 7:30 p.m.

Four times this decade, powerful Anaheim Mater Dei has won the Division I championship. This was supposed to be the year a young Monarch team struggled. But Mater Dei is right where it needs to be in the quarterfinals. Junior quarterback Matt Leinert has been solid. Running backs Junior Palacios and Matt Grootegoed are powerful runners behind an improving offensive line. Grootegoed, also a standout defensive back, is one of Southern California’s most-recruited players. Alemany is a dangerous team because of its big-play potential on offense. The Indians’ ability to pass with quarterback Casey Clausen and run with tailback De’Andre Scott at least makes the Monarchs a little nervous. Alemany’s defense has improved over the last two weeks in stopping the run. Much responsibility will be placed on linebacker Jason Will and tackle Brook Emelio to prevent Mater Dei from controlling the clock and the ball.

* NOTRE DAME (10-1) vs. VALENCIA (8-3)

At Canyon High, 7:30 p.m.

This Division III quarterfinal will be the final game for one of two top players in the region: UCLA-bound running back Manuel White of Valencia or defensive lineman Travis Johnson of Notre Dame. White has rushed for 6,329 career yards and is 24 yards away from overtaking former Notre Dame running back Justin Fargas for fifth place in state history. Higher on the ladder is former Buena running back George Keiaho, who rushed for 6,615 yards. Last week, White rushed for 242 yards and four touchdowns in a 55-21 victory over Crescenta Valley. Surprisingly, Valencia also succeeded through the air, passing for 336 yards and four touchdowns. Notre Dame has outscored opponents, 444-105. Jonathon Brewster has thrown 15 touchdown passes, with only five interceptions, and Trevin Lund has rushed for 973 yards and 22 touchdowns.

* HIGHLAND (8-3) vs. SAUGUS (9-2)

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

It has been half a season since Golden League-champion Highland played a team with an above-average passing game. Pass-happy Saugus provides Highland with its toughest challenge since the Bulldogs lost to Clovis West and Corona Centennial in midseason. Highland, with a six-game winning streak, averages 20.3 points a game and will be hard-pressed in a high-scoring battle with Saugus. Defensive-minded Highland, led by linebackers Paul Soto and Tyrone Brown, has given up only 7.3 points in its last six games. But Saugus averages 377 yards and 34 points a game. Quarterback David Parker of Saugus averages 240 yards passing a game and has thrown 35 touchdowns, with eight interceptions. Receivers Nathan Steele, Marco Gilbert and Nels Jensen all have 41 or more catches and average at least 11 yards a catch. Highland’s fly offense gets the job done without much fanfare. Quarterback Jeremey White has completed 49% of his passes for 1,014 yards and 12 touchdowns but has had 11 passes intercepted. Wingback Kevin Morris, the top offensive threat, leads the Bulldogs with 688 yards rushing and 20 catches for 408 yards.

* CAMARILLO (6-4-1) vs. WESTLAKE (10-1)

At Westlake High, 7:30 p.m.

Westlake set a school record for points in a game last week, defeating Dos Pueblos, 63-7, in the first round of the Division IV playoffs. The Warriors probably won’t hit that mark in a quarterfinal, but they might be the hottest team in their division. In the last five games, Westlake has outscored opponents, 245-13. Penn State-bound quarterback Zac Wasserman has thrown for 2,281 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. Receivers Chris Catalano (889 yards receiving, 12 touchdowns) and Michael Brignac (872 yards receiving, 11 touchdowns) continue to excel. Camarillo counters with jumbo back Loren Cerny, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior who hits holes with power. A converted tight end, Cerny has rushed for 1,488 yards and 17 touchdowns. For common-game theorists, Westlake defeated Thousand Oaks and Agoura by a combined 99-6 score. Camarillo lost to Thousand Oaks, 38-27, and tied Agoura, 35-35.

* NEWBURY PARK (7-4) vs. BUENA (10-1)

At Ventura High, 7:30 p.m.

Buena defeated Newbury Park, 28-14, in a nonleague game two months ago, but this matchup could produce more points. After running the ball with Marcus Crawford all season, the Panthers trounced Righetti, 47-21, by taking to the air. Cameron Merrill passed for 345 yards and has thrown for 24 touchdowns while having only five passes intercepted. Crawford remains a strong weapon, having rushed for 1,616 yards and 12 touchdowns in 285 carries. Newbury Park’s defense is improving steadily, but will be tested by Buena’s balanced attack. The Bulldogs boast 1,000-yard rushers D.J. Blackledge, who has 1,527, and Freddy Keiaho, who has 1,053. They have combined for 40 touchdowns. Senior Kyle Loughman has passed for 1,671 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Bulldogs have won 10 in a row since losing to Westlake in their opener.

* PARACLETE (8-3) vs. MONTCLAIR PREP (9-2)

At Valley College, 7:30 p.m.

Paraclete, seeking its third consecutive section title, has won nine consecutive playoff games entering this Division XII quarterfinal. Montclair Prep will try to avenge a 30-22 nonleague loss to the Spirits on Oct. 22, as well as a 19-6 loss last season. Neither team had much trouble in the first round. Jerome Dennis rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns in Montclair Prep’s 51-20 rout of Cantwell-Sacred Heart. Rob Fockaert passed for 217 yards and five touchdowns, and Curtis Brown rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns in Paraclete’s 57-24 whipping of Desert. Gary Sonkur has 1,074 yards rushing to lead a Montclair Prep ground game that has gained more than 2,600 yards. Brown, a sophomore who needs 15 yards to surpass 2,000 yards this season, rushed for 171 yards and Fockaert passed for 195 yards in the teams’ first meeting this season.

* OTHER SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFF GAMES

7 p.m.--Nordhoff at San Jacinto; Hamilton vs. Flintridge Prep; 7:30 p.m.--Hart vs. Muir at Pasadena City College; San Luis Obispo at Hueneme; Arroyo Grande vs. Ventura at Rio Mesa High; Harvard-Westlake vs. Garey at Mt. San Antonio College; Oak Park vs. Cathedral at Pius X-St. Matthias High, 7:30 p.m.; St. Bonaventure at Santa Paula; Mojave vs. Kilpatrick at Canoga Park High.