TONIGHT’S CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL GAMES

Southern Section

Los Alamitos (12-0-1) vs. Mater Dei (10-3) at Edison Field, 7:30 p.m.

This is the first championship-game meeting between Orange County rivals who often served as stumbling blocks for one another in the playoffs during the 1990s. Mater Dei won three of those four meetings, including a 33-6 decision when the teams last met in 1998. While the unseeded Monarchs are seeking their first title since 1999, second-seeded Los Alamitos is seeking its first Division I title. The Griffins won Division II titles in 1992 and ’93 under John Barnes, the winningest coach in Orange County history. Los Alamitos features a dynamic offense in which quarterback Jeff Kline throws to a multitude of speedy receivers or hands off to 1,000-yard rusher Ryan Bagley. Kline, who has passed for 1,900 yards and 16 touchdowns, is 16-1-2 as a starter. Mater Dei’s offense is more predictable -- 1,000-yard rusher Rafael Rice gets the call nearly 50% of the time -- but the Monarchs can’t be overlooked after upsetting top-seeded Long Beach Poly, 21-20, in the semifinals. Defensive back Corey Boudreaux, who had two interceptions and made the winning reception against the Jackrabbits, will probably need another big game if Mater Dei is to pull off a second consecutive upset.

-- Ben Bolch

West Covina South Hills (10-3) vs. Walnut (12-1) at Cal State Fullerton, 7:30 p.m.

Walnut, seeded second in Division VII and in its first title game, hadn’t won a playoff game since reaching the semifinals in 1978; fourth-seeded South Hills is trying to win its second title in three years, its third overall. The teams finished first and second in the San Antonio League, with Walnut taking advantage of five South Hills turnovers, scoring twice in the first two minutes and winning, 30-9. Ryan O’Shields rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns in that game and also caught a touchdown pass from Daniel Al-Gattas.

-- Martin Henderson

Phelan Serrano (13-0) vs. Fontana Kaiser (12-0-1) at Fontana High, 7 p.m.

Serrano has been riding a roller coaster of emotions since last week, when a popular student trainer, Sarah Rojas, was killed in a car accident the day before the Diamondbacks defeated Cathedral City in triple overtime to advance to their first championship game. Top-seeded Kaiser is making its second consecutive appearance in the Division VIII title game. The biggest challenge for the Cats will be containing running back Chris Vega, who has rushed for 2,356 yards and scored 37 touchdowns this season.

-- Dan Arritt

Cerritos Valley Christian (12-1) vs. Carpinteria (13-0) at Santa Barbara City College, 7:30 p.m.

Two contrasting styles clash in the Division XI title game, a rematch of the 1986 Inland Conference championship. Valley Christian is big and physical, Carpinteria small and fast. Valley Christian, which has two section titles, including a 10-7 victory in that 1986 game, uses a balanced offense led by running back Chase Twedell (2,272 yards in 263 carries). Quarterback Taylor Cameron has 1,903 yards and 25 touchdowns passing. His favorite target, Brad Boekestein, has 49 catches for 1,140 yards and 16 touchdowns. Carpinteria, winner of five section titles -- the last in 1991 -- relies on a veer-option running attack. Tailback Luis Soto (1,300 yards) and quarterback Aaron Gonzales (975 yards rushing, 1,400 passing) are the top threats. Valley Christian has averaged 46.4 points and allowed 14. Carpinteria averages 41.7 points and allows 11.7.

-- Peter Yoon

Edwards AFB Desert (13-0) at Ontario Christian (12-1), 7:30 p.m.

Ontario Christian, seeded fourth in Division XII, won section titles in 1978 and ’82. It has been dominant since an opening-week loss to Division X finalist Cerritos Valley Christian. Ontario Christian has outscored opponents by an average of 48-9 in its last 11 games, a span that includes five shutouts and two games in which the Knights allowed only a safety. Running back Drew Robinson is the leading rusher with 2,098 yards and leading receiver with 19 catches for 580 yards. He has scored 39 touchdowns. Second-seeded Desert, making its second section final appearance, won the 1981 title. Quarterback Nick Gava, running back Jason Napolean and multitalented Rudy Burgess lead an offense that has averaged 37.8 points a game this season.

-- Peter Yoon

Pasadena Poly vs. Simi Valley Grace Brethren at Moorpark High, 7:30 p.m.

Neither of these teams was expected to reach the title game, particularly Grace Brethren, which is playing its first season of 11-man football. But the Lancers opened the Division XIII playoffs by beating third-seeded Arcadia Rio Hondo Prep, 20-7, and later hammered second-seeded San Juan Capistrano Saddleback Valley Christian, 42-14, in the semifinals. Grace Brethren is led by sophomore Chad Kackert, who has rushed for 1,000 yards. Pasadena Poly ended top-seeded Temecula Linfield Christian’s 11-game winning streak last week, 35-20. The fourth-seeded Panthers won the Division XIII title in 1999.

-- Dan Arritt