THIS WEEK’S TOP FOOTBALL GAMES

SOUTHERN SECTION

Long Beach Poly (7-1, 4-0) at Lakewood (8-0, 4-0), 7 p.m. Friday

With eight starters back on defense and six on offense, Lakewood, ranked No. 5 in the Southland by The Times, is significantly better than it was last year, and last year’s team was defeated by Poly, 14-10, only after Desean Jackson caught a 33-yard touchdown pass with 1 minute 45 seconds left to play. The victory gave Poly its 12th consecutive Moore League title and its 11th outright. The Lancers’ last league title, shared in 1994, is one of three since 1974, when they last won a title outright. Lakewood will be more physical than the quicker Jackrabbits, who have won 53 consecutive league games. The Lancers must stop Jackson, but Lakewood’s secondary isn’t overmatched athletically and has 12 interceptions. Poly’s recent habit of starting slowly wouldn’t be wise, because Lakewood isn’t Compton or Long Beach Jordan. The game will be broadcast live on FSN West 2.

-- Martin Henderson

Canyon Country Canyon (8-0, 3-0) at Valencia (7-1, 3-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Canyon, ranked No. 20, has been rolling up victories against much weaker competition than the No. 6 Vikings, and now comes its big Foothill League test. Can quarterback Will Brogan perform effectively against a Valencia defense that had nine sacks last week against Newhall Hart? A Valencia victory would clinch their first Foothill championship in school history and stamp the Vikings as the prime challenger to unbeaten Mission Viejo in the Southern Section Division II playoffs.

-- Eric Sondheimer

San Clemente (7-1, 3-0) at Mission Viejo (8-0, 3-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday

San Clemente is again Mission Viejo’s biggest obstacle in its bid for a fifth consecutive South Coast League title. The No. 22 Tritons are the last team to defeat No. 1 Mission Viejo in league play, posting a 33-23 victory at the end of the 1999 regular season to win their first outright league title in 21 years. The following season, the Diablos won their first league title in 12 years with a 21-7 victory, then edged the Tritons by three points in 2001 before outscoring them, 98-21, over the last two years. Each has a prolific offense. The Diablos, behind running back Chane Moline, have scored 40 points or more six times this season. San Clemente, behind running backs John Jay Verhagen and Kevin Fortin, has scored 35 points or more in each of its last six games.

-- Dan Arritt

Palmdale (6-2, 3-0) at Lancaster (7-1, 3-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Defense should dominate this Golden League title decider. No. 16 Palmdale, led by linebacker Jerry Milling, relies on quickness and toughness. Lancaster tries to deny big plays. Palmdale quarterback Rodney Trimm has been improving his accuracy in recent games. Lancaster quarterback Bobby Thomas will be counted on to provide leadership and clutch completions. The winner figures to earn a high seeding in the Southern Section Division III playoffs behind two-time defending champion Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Redondo (7-1, 3-0) at Rolling Hills Estates Peninsula (7-0-1, 2-0-1), 2:30 p.m. Friday

The Bay League title remains up for grabs, and the loser of this game probably will be eliminated from contention. Redondo is in control with a 3-0 record, but has tallied those victories against the three bottom teams in the league and still has to play four-time defending league champion Manhattan Beach Mira Costa. Peninsula tied Mira Costa two weeks ago, meaning that in order to win an outright league title, the Panthers need a victory over Redondo, then need Redondo to beat Mira Costa next week. Peninsula must find a way to penetrate a defense that has given up only 10.9 points a game. If any team can do it, it’s Peninsula. Led by quarterback Theo Nikolakopulos, the Panthers have averaged 36.1 points a game.

-- Peter Yoon

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CITY SECTION

Harbor City Narbonne (7-1, 3-0) at Carson (5-3, 3-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Carson, the defending City Section champion, is in position to win its sixth consecutive Marine League title despite playing erratically much of the season. Offensive coordinator Gene Vollnogle, the former head coach, installed a wide-open attack, but the Colts have struggled at times, particularly in the red zone. Senior quarterback Bo Napoleon has completed 101 of 197 passes for 1,490 yards and 11 touchdowns and has rushed for 248 yards in 54 carries. Running back Philip Knight and receivers Derek Hill and Dwayne Sanders are other offensive threats. Narbonne, which hasn’t defeated Carson since 1996, has a potent running attack led by Travon Titus and Major Culbert. Linebacker Kevin Garrett leads a defense that has held teams to an average of 14.5 points. The Gauchos’ only loss came in Week 5 to No. 15 Woodland Hills Taft.

-- Eric Stephens