THIS WEEK’S TOP FOOTBALL GAMES

Lake Balboa Birmingham (5-3, 3-0) vs. Woodland Hills Taft (5-3, 2-1) at Pierce College, 7, tonight

This is a rematch of last year’s City Championship game, but neither school has reached the level of play it achieved in 2002. Birmingham is closest, with an improving rushing attack behind senior Brian Baylor. Junior quarterback Andrew Miramontes is also making progress. Taft gave up 55 points in a loss to Granada Hills on Monday. Standout linebacker Wallace Bates is expected to play despite suffering a stinger. Junior quarterback Josh Portis is Taft’s most effective weapon on offense. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Net 2.

-- Eric Sondheimer

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Los Angeles Dorsey (8-0, 3-0) at Crenshaw (7-1, 3-0), 7 p.m., Friday

Crenshaw is hoping for bright lights and a big victory when it attempts to clinch at least a share of the Coliseum League title during the first night home game in school history. The Cougars have needed fourth-quarter rallies to defeat Dorsey in each of the last three seasons and have won four consecutive games in the series. Dorsey, ranked No. 13 by The Times, features a two-pronged rushing game with Stafon Johnson averaging 99.5 yards and Jeremiah Johnson adding 86.4 yards. Crenshaw, which suffered its lone blemish in a Week 2 loss to La Mirada, is led by running backs Rickie Collins and Aaron Huntley, who recently combined for 286 yards in a victory over Fremont.

-- Ben Bolch

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Lakewood (7-1, 4-0) vs. Long Beach Poly (6-2, 4-0) at Veterans Stadium, 7 p.m., Friday

Lakewood has allowed only 93 points this season, but Poly, the perennial Moore League champion, is averaging nearly 38 per game. Tailback Anthony Baker ran for 132 yards and four touchdowns and wide receiver Derrick Jones scored twice, once on a 77-yard punt return, in last week’s 49-27 victory over Long Beach Jordan. The defense for No. 4 Poly has allowed an average of 15 points. If Lakewood’s leading rusher, Da’milyn Tanner, who has missed two games because of an injured sternum, can’t play, sophomore Justin Robertson, who ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 28-14 victory over Compton, will be in the lineup.

-- Paul McLeod

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Los Angeles Loyola (5-3, 2-1) vs. Santa Margarita (7-1, 2-1) at Saddleback College, 7 p.m., Friday

At stake is a share of first place in the Serra League, at least for now. Loyola quarterback Scott Deke threw four touchdown passes -- giving him 14 on the season -- and made a key defensive play in the closing seconds of the No. 16 Cubs’ 29-24 victory over Bellflower St. John Bosco last week. A major reason for No. 14 Santa Margarita’s success is quarterback Michael Angelo’s versatility. The converted wide receiver has rushed for a team-high 646 yards and six touchdowns and passed for 644 yards and seven touchdowns. The Eagles’ only loss was in a game in which Angelo did not play.

-- Martin Henderson

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Fountain Valley (6-2, 3-0) vs. Huntington Beach Edison (5-3, 2-1) at Edison Field, 7 p.m., Friday

These are the two best defenses in the Sunset League, so don’t expect a lot of scoring. Both schools are loaded with talented juniors and sophomores. Edison, ranked No. 22, starts eight underclassmen on offense and defense. If sophomore quarterback Brian Shrock can connect with receiver Matt White, the Chargers could pull off the upset. Fountain Valley, ranked No. 12, has received consistent play from running back Ryan Best and defensive back Kevin Gerard. Jared Fano, a defensive end, has seven sacks.

-- Eric Sondheimer

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Los Angeles Garfield (3-5, 1-2) vs. Los Angeles Roosevelt (5-3, 2-1) at the Coliseum, 5 p.m., Saturday

That old sentiment about throwing out the records when archrivals meet might be a good idea heading into the latest renewal of the East Los Angeles Classic. Roosevelt, tied with three other teams atop the Eastern League standings, should have the edge behind its ground-oriented attack. Running back Christopher Hurtado is averaging 113 yards a game and has scored 15 touchdowns. Garfield is led by quarterback Joshua Magana, who has completed 45.7% of his passes for 1,137 yards and 13 touchdowns. Roosevelt leads the series, 36-24-7, and has won four of the last five meetings.

-- Ben Bolch