This Week’s Top Games

Highlights of this week’s high school football schedule:

SOUTHERN SECTION

* Anaheim Esperanza (6-2, 2-1) vs. Los Alamitos (7-1, 2-1) at Long Beach Veterans Stadium, 7, tonight: Each has already lost to Huntington Beach Edison, so they are playing for second place in the Sunset League. Esperanza’s deceptive Wing T is led by Rocky Taloa and Charles Neal, who have rushed for 1,241 and 705 yards, respectively. Los Alamitos, ranked No. 15 in the Southland by The Times, has won six of the last seven against No. 18 Esperanza but must match the Aztecs’ physical play to win.

* Ventura (8-0, 3-0) vs. Ventura St. Bonaventure (8-0, 3-0) at Buena High, 7:30 p.m., Friday: Fourth-ranked St. Bonaventure has won six Channel League titles in seven years, including last season, when it beat Ventura, 42-14. Lee Mondol has thrown for 2,006 yards and 23 touchdowns with only two interceptions for No. 22 Ventura. It might not matter if the Cougars can’t slow Michael Lee (958 yards, 18 touchdowns) and force Matt Evans (46.7%, 15 touchdowns, four interceptions) to try to win the game.

-- MARTIN HENDERSON

* Valencia (6-2, 2-1) at Canyon Country Canyon (7-1, 3-0), 7 p.m., Friday: Canyon’s only loss was to Simi Valley. The Cowboys are led by junior John DiLuigi, who has rushed for 1,081 yards and 30 touchdowns. Valencia, ranked No. 9, is coming off an emotional 17-14 loss to Newhall Hart. Quarterback Michael Herrick is 532 yards shy of becoming the state’s career passing leader, but this Foothill League game will be decided by how well Canyon is able to deny the big play to running back Shane Vereen.

-- ERIC SONDHEIMER

* Santa Monica (7-1, 3-0) at Beverly Hills (7-0-1, 3-0), 7 p.m., Friday: There should be no shortage of offense in this Ocean League title-decider. Meyer Linter leads the balanced Beverly Hills attack with 1,752 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. Marcus Jones and Ramon Judkins have combined for more than 1,000 rushing yards. Santa Monica also features balance, with Ryan Katz passing for 931 yards and 14 touchdowns and Louis Adeymi rushing for 737 yards.

-- PETER YOON

CITY SECTION

* Huntington Park (8-0, 4-0) at Los Angeles Jordan (6-2, 4-0), 2:15 p.m., Friday: Huntington Park had its best record in 15 years last season (9-2) but is off to abetter start entering this Eastern League showdown. Senior Jonathan Ortiz has thrown nine touchdown passes with only two interceptions and has run for more than 500 yards with three touchdowns. Carell Johnson has rushed for 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns for Jordan.

-- DAN ARRITT