THIS WEEK’S TOP FOOTBALL GAMES

SOUTHERN SECTION

Los Alamitos (1-0) at Mission Viejo (0-0), 7:30 tonight

A key factor will be how the inexperienced secondary of Mission Viejo, ranked No. 1 by The Times, holds up against the passing game of third-ranked Los Alamitos. None of the starting four Diablos has varsity experience, and receivers Orlando Scandrick and Jeremy Childs, as well as quarterback Jimmy Barnes, are Griffin strengths. Then again, the best pass defense is a good pass rush, and Mission Viejo -- led by defensive ends Nick Reed and Ryan Williams and defensive tackle Chase Moline -- has one of the section’s best. One advantage for Los Alamitos: It has a game under its belt, a 38-19 victory over Goleta Dos Pueblos last week.

Orange Lutheran (0-0) vs. Santa Ana Mater Dei (0-0) at Santa Ana Stadium, 7:30 p.m. Friday

The offense for Orange Lutheran, ranked No. 11, has been hit hard by knee injuries, as quarterback Seth Blackamore -- last year’s Southern Section Division VI co-player of the year -- and USC-bound kicker Troy Van Blarcom suffered partially torn anterior cruciate ligaments and aren’t expected to return until mid-October. Hopeful quarterbacks Blake Lucas, a junior, and Aaron Corp, a sophomore, must try to win the temporary starting job and beat a perennial power in the process. With the move of quarterback Jason Forcier to San Diego, No. 14 Mater Dei is looking to replace him with senior Kyle Woody, who makes his varsity debut against a team whose strength is in its defensive line and secondary.

-- Martin Henderson

La Puente Bishop Amat (0-1) vs. Valencia (0-0) at College of the Canyons, 7 p.m. Saturday

A year ago, Valencia quarterback Michael Herrick passed for 421 yards and rallied his team from a 21-0 deficit for a 31-28 victory in his varsity debut. He’ll need to be at his best again because No. 12 Bishop Amat showed lots of offense in a 39-33 loss to Vista last week. The team that has the best offensive balance figures to win, with No. 13 Valencia relying on its passing attack and the Lancers focused on running.

-- Eric Sondheimer

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CITY SECTION

Woodland Hills Taft (0-0) at Los Angeles Crenshaw (0-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Taft, which struggled to a 5-6 record last season, has senior Josh Portis returning at quarterback, but also coming back is Coach Troy Starr, who took a year off from the high school game. Heading into his 12th season with the No. 22 Toreadors, Starr is 110-28-1 with one City Section major-division title. Taft has young talent in junior running back Shelton Banks, junior receiver Jemere Holland and sophomore linebacker Malcolm Smith. Crenshaw has big plans as it returns several key performers. Offensive tackle Aleksey Lanis, linebackers Reggie Carter and Solomon Elimimian, and cornerback Gardner McKay are among the section’s best at their positions.

Venice (0-0) at Carson (0-0), 7 p.m. Friday

The Gondoliers reached the City Section championship game for the first time last season only to be upset by Carson, which has won 10 titles. Venice, which arrived as a section power, may have a harder time getting to the Coliseum this season as it must replace several key players who graduated. Senior Robert Ambers, a backup to Beau Davis last season, will take over at quarterback. Carson, ranked No. 17, has a new coach, Rowen Tupuivao, but senior Bo Napoleon returns at quarterback. Napoleon, the Colts’ leader, was brilliant in last season’s title game. Other key performers are running back Dwayne Sanders and linebacker Lamar Brumfield.

-- Eric Stephens

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INTERSECTIONAL

Lake Balboa Birmingham (0-0) at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (0-0), 7 p.m. Friday

If there’s a team that has a shot at a 14-0 record, it’s two-time defending Division III champion Notre Dame, ranked No. 7. Quarterback Garrett Green and running backs Cary Harris and Rodney Glass form perhaps the fastest backfield in school history. Defensive linemen Josh Cordray and Anthony Santa Croce were dominant in a scrimmage against Los Angeles Loyola last week. Birmingham has its own offensive firepower in quarterback Andrew Miramontes, receiver Corey Anderson and running back Brian Stewart.

-- Eric Sondheimer