Friday’s top high school football games in the Southland

No. 23 Mission Hills Alemany at No. 11 Westlake Village Oaks Christian, 7 p.m. — Oaks Christian lost some A-list luster with the graduation of quarterback Nick Montana, but the Lions still have plenty of star power. Receivers Jordan Payton and Blair Holiday lead a talented cast that will take its act to the Marmonte League after playing this one nonleague game. Oaks Christian still has some celebrity chops too, with receiver Trey Smith and quarterback Trevor Gretzky, the sons of actor Will Smith and NHL Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky. Alemany, led by quarterback Vernon Adams, moves up to the Pac-5 Division after going 10-4 and reaching the Western Division title game. The Warriors hung tough in a 28-17 loss to Oaks Christian last season. The pick: Oaks Christian.

No. 17 Los Angeles Loyola at No. 20 Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, 7 p.m. — Even though Loyola was 4-6 last season, new Coach Mike Christensen didn’t inherit a team bereft of talent. “We have some seniors in the right spots that provide the leadership,” Christensen said. Start with quarterback Jerry Neuheisel and running back Jared Baker, leaders of a potentially explosive offense. Mira Costa, the defending Western Division champion, returns only one starter on offense and two on defense as it moves into the Northern Division. “It’s very scary,” Mustangs Coach Don Morrow said. But running back-defensive lineman J.R. Tavai is a two-way force. The pick: Loyola.

No. 21 Orange Lutheran vs. No. 18 La Habra at Glover Stadium, 7:30 p.m. — La Habra is the reigning Southwest Division champion and is coming off a 13-1 season in which its only loss was to Pac-5 heavyweight Los Alamitos. Washington State-bound quarterback Cody Clements should help La Habra endure a difficult schedule that also includes games against Anaheim Servite and La Mirada. Lutheran is trying to bounce back from a 6-5 season that included a first-round playoff loss. Mike Markovsky, who stepped in at quarterback last season when Bobby Wheatley was injured, won a four-way battle for the starting job. The pick: La Habra.

No. 8 Gardena Serra at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 7 p.m. — Serra might have the talent to replicate a 15-0 record and a state championship bowl victory. The Cavaliers are loaded again, with senior quarterback Conner Preston able to throw to speedy receiver George Farmer, a much-sought college recruit. Running back Shaquille Richard and receiver-defensive back Marqise Lee also return from an offense that averaged 43.8 points last season. Notre Dame is in rebuilding mode, with no returning starters and senior Matt Lathuras having to replace record-setting quarterback Ryan Kasdorf. The pick: Serra.

— Ben Bolch