Previews of Saturday’s prep football state championship games

OPEN DIVISION

Los Angeles Crenshaw (14-0) vs. Concord De La Salle (12-2), 8 p.m.:

Crenshaw tailback De’Anthony Thomas has vowed to back-flip from one goal line to the other if the Cougars can become the first Los Angeles City Section team to win a bowl game. De La Salle is making its fourth consecutive bowl appearance, but the Spartans are 1-2 against their Southern California counterparts and Coach Bob Ladouceur said the familiarity of playing in Carson won’t benefit his team. “I don’t see how we could be at an advantage traveling down here on a bus,” he said. De La Salle, the North Coast Division I champion, has won 11 consecutive games since losing to out-of-state powers Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep and Lakeland (Fla.) in September. The Spartans feature a high-powered rushing attack led by Terron Ward (144 yards per game) and Tyler Anderson (85). Crenshaw will counter with its own fleet-footed duo of Thomas and Geoffrey Norwood in what is being called the biggest game in school history. “We’re doing it for the community,” Cougars quarterback Marquis Thompson said, “so we’re just going to come out and play hard.”

The pick: Crenshaw.

DIVISION II

Anaheim Servite (13-1) vs. Rocklin (14-0), 4 p.m.:

Both teams are making surprise bowl appearances after knocking off more highly touted opponents; Servite defeated second-seeded Mission Viejo and top-seeded Huntington Beach Edison on the way to the Southern Section Pac-5 Division championship, and Rocklin beat defending state champion Sacramento Grant en route to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II title. That’s not to say the Friars and Thunder aren’t loaded. Servite quarterback Cody Fajardo has made the key plays all season and rarely makes mistakes, having had only two passes intercepted. Rocklin is expected to rely more heavily on its running game than usual after prolific quarterback Jimmy Laughrea broke his arm during the Thunder’s victory over Loomis Del Oro in the section title game. That means more carries for tailback Jackson Cummings, who is averaging 160 yards rushing per game. “I don’t count our guys out,” Rocklin Coach Greg Benzel said. “Servite may beat us, but they’re going to have to earn it.”

The pick: Servite.

DIVISION III

Gardena Serra (14-0) vs. Kentfield Marin Catholic (13-1), noon:

Serra will be on letdown alert following an emotional 42-41 overtime victory over Westlake Village Oaks Christian that Cavaliers Coach Scott Altenberg called “the best game I’ve ever been involved in.” But players cited the possibility of finishing unbeaten while becoming the first South Bay team to win a bowl game as motivation to stay sharp against Marin Catholic. The Wildcats present a contrast in style to the pass-happy Cavaliers, with tailback Chris Adams averaging 166 yards rushing per game. Marin Catholic must contend with a formidable foursome of receivers -- Robert Woods, George Farmer, Paul Richardson and Lindsey Anderson -- who combined for 11 catches and three touchdowns during Serra’s triumph over Oaks Christian in the Southern Section Northwest Division title game. “I’m kind of giggling because everyone’s coming up to me and saying, ‘Do you know about these receivers?’ ” Wildcats Coach Ken Peralta said. “I really don’t, but I’m going to find out.”

The pick: Serra.

-- Ben Bolch