Playoff Payoff

Three weeks remain in the high school football regular season, leaving plenty of time for league championship races to be decided.

This week, however, several league titles and possible playoff seedings could be determined by the outcome of five games.

In the City Section, Franklin plays Eagle Rock in a Northern League battle of unbeaten teams. Crenshaw plays host to Dorsey in their annual matchup with the Coliseum League championship probably on the line.

In the Southern Section, revitalized Lawndale Leuzinger plays host to perennial Bay League and Division II power Palos Verdes Peninsula; La Puente Bishop Amat and Santa Fe Springs St. Paul renew an old rivalry in the new Del Rey League and Rialto Eisenhower plays host to Fontana A.B. Miller in a Citrus Belt League showdown.

Here is a look at each game:

* Eagle Rock (7-0) at Franklin (7-0), Friday at 7 p.m.

Franklin has dominated the Northeast region for years and Eagle Rock has waited all season for this game, the first played at night between the schools at Franklin’s campus stadium.

Eagle Rock quarterback Torwin Session has helped lead the Eagles to their first 7-0 start since 1957. Running back Tyrone Collins and receivers Jorge Trejo and Gilbert Garcia are other offensive weapons.

Franklin quarterback Daniel Gonzalez has passed for 1,747 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 73% of his attempts. His favorite target is Carlos Rodriguez, who has 46 receptions for 761 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Panthers, however, also feature a strong rushing attack led by running back Dennis Reyes, who has gained 903 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

“I don’t think you can stop their passing attack but we have to slow them down,” Eagle Rock Coach Steve Wahl said. “It’s difficult because we also have to stop their run. They don’t get enough credit for how well they run the ball.”

* Dorsey (6-1) at Crenshaw (5-2), Friday at 3 p.m.

Dorsey won at Crenshaw last year in a Southern Pacific Conference game and now must return for Crenshaw’s homecoming in the first meeting between the teams in the new Coliseum League.

Both teams are 2-0 in league play.

Dorsey’s only loss came as the result of a forfeit. The Dons were assessed that penalty this week for using an ineligible player in their nonleague victory over Washington.

Dorsey has been winning by wearing down opponents with its massive offensive line and aggressive big-play defense led by Steven Moore and Akani Turner.

Jason Pickens, Delvin Hudson, JaVaun Lewis and Kyle Hite form a rushing attack by committee.

Crenshaw quarterback Devin Hollins passed for 316 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s victory over Locke. Fullback Lee Webb and running back Terrence Whitehead also play for a Cougar defense that forces numerous turnovers.

“They are physical and quick up front, so hopefully that won’t give us problems,” Dorsey Coach Paul Knox said. “It’s a big game every year for both schools. And we’ve been talking to our kids about managing their emotions until the game comes. We don’t want them using it all up during the week.”

* Peninsula (7-0) at Leuzinger (6-1), Friday at 7 p.m.

The Bay League title is on the line as Leuzinger tries to take the biggest step in its resurgence under Coach Don Markham.

Leuzinger lost its opener against Carlsbad and hasn’t looked back. The Olympians are literally running over opponents with Darnell Charles, who has rushed for 1,190 yards, and Therrian Fontenot, who has gained 1,106 yards.

Running back Brandon Miyoshi is Peninsula’s workhorse and a player Leuzinger must shut down to control the Panthers.

* Bishop Amat (5-2) at St. Paul (6-1), Friday at 7:30 p.m.

It’s the old Angelus League revisited as these two traditional powers renew their rivalry in the four-team Del Rey League.

This is the league opener for both teams.

St. Paul was moved up from Division III to Division I as part of the releaguing of the Catholic schools. St. Paul Coach Marijon Ancich earned his 300th victory earlier this season and the Swordsmen have lost only to Santa Ana Mater Dei.

Bishop Amat is coming off consecutive losses to Santa Margarita and Anaheim Servite.

* A.B. Miller (5-2) at Eisenhower (6-1), Friday at 7:30 p.m.

OK, Redlands, you’re also unbeaten in the Division I Citrus Belt League and get both these teams at home in the final two weeks of the season.

But the winner of tonight’s game will have confidence and the momentum down the stretch.

Eisenhower’s only loss came against Canyon Springs, which seems to knock off a Division I contender every year.

Miller is coming off a victory over rival Fontana.