Battle for the Bell Football Preview

Estancia (7-2, 4-0 in league) vs. Costa Mesa (8-1, 4-0)

When/where: Friday night, 7 at Jim Scott Stadium

Key Eagles: Jr. RB Robert Murtha (1,363 yards and 12 touchdowns on 181 carries); Sr. OT Zach Bateman; Sr. DE Andy Ugalde (70 tackles and 10 sacks)

Key Mustangs: Sr. RB Mario Smith (1,842 yards and 27 TDs on 153 carries); Sr. WR-CB Jordan Walden (36 catches for 608 yards and seven TDs); So. LB-RB Oronde Crenshaw

Breakdown: The Battle for the Bell rivalry game is for the outright Orange Coast League title … Estancia looks to defend its league title, while Costa Mesa tries to claim its first league crown since 2008 … The Mustangs are the home team in the regular-season finale at Jim Scott Stadium, the state-of-the-art facility they share with the Eagles … Estancia is ranked No. 4 in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division and Costa Mesa is No. 6 … Both teams feature talented tailbacks, Costa Mesa’s Mario Smith and Estancia’s Robert Murtha … Smith, who rushed for a Mustang record seven touchdowns last week, is close to rushing for 2,000 yards in his first season with the Mustangs ... Murtha surpassed 3,000 yards rushing for his career … Estancia leads the series against Costa Mesa, 25-18-1.

— David Carrillo Peñaloza