THIS WEEK’S TOP FOOTBALL GAMES

CITY SECTION

Los Angeles Franklin (9-1) at Venice (7-2), 7 tonight

For Northern League co-champion Franklin to upset the fourth-seeded Gondoliers in this Championship division first-round game, the Panthers must control possession and keep Venice from making big plays. Franklin, whose only loss came against Eagle Rock, has long been known for its passing game, but running back Brandon Torres (1,244 yards, 11 touchdowns) is the focal point this season. Anthony Muniz took over at quarterback in Week 7 and has led the Panthers to four consecutive victories. Junior running back Ken Ashley, a transfer from Anaheim Servite, leads the Gondoliers with 1,408 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.

-- Eric Stephens

Los Angeles Fremont (8-2) at Lake Balboa Birmingham (6-4), 7 tonight

Don’t be fooled by Birmingham’s record. Its losses were to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Valencia, L.A. Dorsey and Woodland Hills Taft. Quarterback Andrew Miramontes has passed for 2,320 yards, and running back Brian Stuart has rushed for 1,074. Fremont finished third in the difficult Coliseum League, losing only to Dorsey and Crenshaw. Running back Andrew Bouvay is second in the City with 1,787 rushing yards. Linebackers Corey Jones and Dwight Carter and defensive back Robert Johnson spearhead a Pathfinder defense that has given up only 11.9 points a game.

-- Peter Yoon

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SOUTHERN SECTION

Huntington Beach Edison (6-4) vs. Los Angeles Loyola (8-2) at Glendale, 7:30 Friday

Not since 1985 has Loyola lost a Southern Section first-round playoff game. The Serra League champion Cubs know they drew perhaps Division I’s toughest opening-round opponent in an Edison team that lost in double overtime to Los Alamitos and came close to knocking off Santa Ana Mater Dei. Edison has a terrific junior quarterback in Brian Shrock, plus a defense known for keeping teams from scoring. Loyola, the defending Division I champion, is best when its rushing attack is effective with Trason Bragg and George Hypolite. The difference could be whether Edison can prevent Loyola quarterback Casey Frost from escaping the pocket and picking up yards with scrambles.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Santa Margarita (5-5) at Colton (9-1), 7:30 Friday

Neither Division I team held back in preparation for the postseason. Colton played top teams from Nevada, the San Diego Section and City Section before running the table in its return to the Citrus Belt League. The Eagles combined for only seven points against City Section power Dorsey and Orange Lutheran in consecutive games before losing its first three Serra League games. But Santa Margarita earned one of four wild-card berths after a 20-15 victory Friday over Loyola, seeded No. 3 in the division. Junior quarterback Jon Daniels has thrown for 1,608 yards and 13 touchdowns.

-- Dan Arritt

Pomona Diamond Ranch (7-2-1) vs. Riverside Norte Vista (8-2) at Riverside Ramona High, 7:30 Friday

A key first-round game in Division VIII, as the winner stands a good chance of reaching the semifinals because the second-round opponent, likely fourth-seeded Victorville Silverado (9-0-1), is unproven -- its five nonleague opponents had a combined record of 14-35. Diamond Ranch is no ordinary third-place team; it shared the Mt. Baldy League title but lost a coin flip. Its primary task will be to stop the run. Norte Vista’s Larry Nguyen has rushed for 997 yards and 14 touchdowns, and Thomas Ruiz has rushed for 903 yards and 12 touchdowns. Diamond Ranch has given up more than 13 points only twice, and Nathan Lopez has nine sacks.

-- Martin Henderson