INSIDE INFO

BELL-JEFF VS. RIVERSIDE CHRISTIAN

WHEN: 1 p.m. today.

WHERE: Riverside Christian High.

RECORDS: The Guards and Cougars are both 2-2.

LAST WEEK: Bell-Jeff defeated Malibu, 39-14; Riverside Christian lost to Downey Calvary Chapel, 30-22.

OUTLOOK: The Guards seemed to thrive in the new offensive scheme installed last week by Coach Rolando Aguirre. The Guards ran a power-I formation against Malibu, and that led to plenty of scoring opportunities. Bell-Jeff will be playing without starting wide receiver/cornerback Kevin Yuenyongsakul, who had to be carried off the field against Malibu. Although Yuenyongsakul did receive medical attention, Aguirre said he did not suffer any injuries and having him sit today’s game is more of a “precautionary measure.” Bell-Jeff will be taking on a Cougars team that also likes to push the ball on the ground. The team has an accomplished running back DJ Gordon, who has carried the ball 88 times for 748 yards and 12 touchdowns. Gordon has rushed for more than 200 yards in two games and hasn’t gained less than 146 in four contests. He averages 8.5 yards a carry. Teammate Brandon Harris has rushed for nearly 300 yards. Riverside Christian doesn’t throw the ball much, as quarterback Brandt Mendez has completed just nine passes. The Cougars running attack should be a big test for the Bell-Jeff defense, a defense that gives up an average of nearly 22 points a game. Bell-Jeff’s leading tackler is Macah Shirley, who has 57 and averages 14.3 a game. He also has two interceptions. After today, Bell-Jeff will have one more nonleague game — against Mountain View on Oct. 9 — before opening Santa Fe League play Oct. 16 against St. Anthony.

SOMETHING INTERESTING: Shirley leads the Guards with seven touchdowns.

Jeff Tully