TODAY’S TOP FOOTBALL GAMES

CITY SECTION SEMIFINALS

Sylmar (9-2-1) at Venice (12-0), 7 p.m.

Each team has taken a sharply different road to the semifinals. Sylmar, a onetime section power, is in its first semifinal in six years after notching last-second victories over L.A. Jefferson and Harbor City Narbonne. The Spartans’ two losses have come to Dorsey and Encino Crespi. A stout Sylmar defense, which gives up 17 points a game, needs to play above its head against the prolific Gondoliers. Venice has scored 63 and 53 points in its two playoff victories. The Gondoliers have an arsenal of skill players, led by the section’s best receiving group in James Lewis (56 catches, 1,132 yards), Ryan Graves (57 catches, 1,131 yards) and Gerold Rodriguez (48 catches, 876 yards) as well as Colorado-bound running back Byron Ellis (1,348 yards, 16 TDs).

-- Eric Stephens

Carson (9-3) vs. Dorsey (12-0) at Jackie Robinson Stadium, 7 p.m.

The teams, which have combined for 14 major-division championships, have a long history, with Carson holding a 14-7-1 edge. The last time both met in the playoffs was in 2000, when Carson won, 3-0, in a mistake-filled, first-round game. Senior safety Chet Sanders has made a big difference on the defensive side. The Colts are 7-0 since his return from a knee injury. On offense, Robert Miller (1,139 yards, nine TDs) has emerged as Carson’s lead running back and tight end Jordan Fata (23 catches, 351 yards, eight TDs) is a big target in the passing game. Dorsey counters with one of the state’s best backfield combinations in Jeremiah Johnson (1,171 yards, 19 TDs) and Stafon Johnson (1,170 yards, 18 TDs).

-- Eric Stephens

SOUTHERN SECTION SEMIFINALS

Mission Viejo (12-0) at Canyon Country Canyon (11-1), 7:30 p.m.

Canyon could be in for a long night if it doesn’t find a way to stop the top-seeded Diablos, who average 41.9 points this season. Mission Viejo hasn’t been seriously challenged since a one-point victory over Long Beach Poly in Week 4. Canyon, on the other hand, has had problems with its defense against top-flight teams. The Cowboys gave up 45 and 56 points in consecutive Foothill League games against Valencia and Newhall Hart, then gave up 36 last week against La Verne Damien. Canyon’s offense averages 44.7 points. The Diablos gave up only 11.3 points a game. Mission Viejo has won 40 consecutive games, including a 48-14 trouncing of Canyon in the 2002 quarterfinals.

-- Peter Yoon

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (10-2) at Manhattan Beach Mira Costa (12-0), 7:30 p.m.

This Division III semifinal is a rematch of last year’s final won by Notre Dame, 20-17. Mira Costa may have the advantage this time because Notre Dame has struggled against the run, and the Mustangs have a hot back in Tyler Pringle, who’s nearing the 2,000-yard mark. This is the big test for Notre Dame’s sophomore quarterback, Garrett Green, who has rushed for 751 yards in the option offense. Green (58.4% completions, 1,165 yards and nine touchdowns) has displayed improved passing during the playoffs, although the Knights still rely heavily on Cary Harris (1,005 yards) and Brandon Clayton (906 yards).

-- Eric Sondheimer

Agoura (11-1) vs. Ventura St. Bonaventure (12-0) at Moorpark College, 7:30 p.m.

St. Bonaventure continued to roll last week in a 48-19 victory over Santa Maria Righetti, extending its winning streak to 24 games. The top-seeded Seraphs are trying to reach their fifth consecutive Southern Section final and second in a row in Division IV. St. Bonaventure routed Agoura, 68-14, in the quarterfinals last year, but the Chargers are much improved. Bryan Walker threw three touchdown passes to Braden Lepisto last week in a 38-12 victory over San Luis Obispo as Agoura advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2000. The Chargers’ loss was to second-seeded Westlake Village Westlake in Marmonte League play. St. Bonaventure features a balanced attack led by quarterback Brian Stevens (2,281 yards, 24 touchdowns) and junior running back Matt Lee (1,825 yards, 30 touchdowns).

-- Rob Fernas

Corona Centennial (9-3) vs. Riverside North (12-0) at Riverside Norte Vista, 7:30 p.m.

A rematch of a 57-55 triple overtime victory last season by Centennial for the section title comes in a semifinal because fourth-seeded Centennial couldn’t take care of business against Norco in the Mountain View League. Centennial’s defense is suspect, but its offense is solid behind Terrell Jackson (2,517 yards, 8.1 yards a carry), who has scored 42 touchdowns this season. He had eight in last year’s championship victory. Although top-seeded North has dominated opponents -- it hasn’t scored fewer than 28 points -- it has yet to need a meaningful play in the fourth quarter. North’s run defense seems to be its Achilles’ heel, and that spells trouble against Jackson. There’s nothing lacking in North’s offense: Josh Barnett (815 yards, 8.8 a carry) has 31 touchdowns, Dion Morton has thrown 29 touchdowns and four interceptions, and Damon Morton (57 receptions, 24.4 yards a catch) has caught 22 touchdown passes.

-- Martin Henderson