Lakewood hopes to end Long Beach Poly’s 80-game league winning streak

No. 4 Lakewood (4-1, 1-0) vs. Long Beach Poly (2-3, 1-0) at Long Beach Veterans Stadium, 7:30 p.m., Prime Ticket -- Seeking to motivate his players, Poly Coach Raul Lara told them the game is being televised only because TV executives expect Lakewood to end the Jackrabbits’ 80-game Moore League winning streak. The Lancers haven’t defeated Poly since 1982. Chris Leachman replaced Dylan Legarde as the Jackrabbits’ starting quarterback last week and helped Poly break out of a prolonged offensive funk during a 31-0 victory against Long Beach Jordan. Lakewood quarterback Jesse Scroggins hopes to erase the sting of last season’s 20-10 loss to Poly in a Pac-5 Division semifinal. The Lancers’ running back-by-committee approach must move the ball to keep Poly from focusing on the passing attack. The pick: Lakewood.

Woodland Hills Taft (2-2) at No. 7 Gardena Serra (4-0), 7 p.m. -- Serra’s defense may be just as prolific as an offense that has averaged 46 points. “Any way you think you can attack them, they’re just so fast they recover even if they’re not in position,” said Taft Coach Matt Kerstetter of the Cavaliers defense. Serra held Toreadors’ tailback D.J. Morgan to 32 yards in 16 carries last season during a 49-13 victory. Morgan will have a new backfield mate tonight in Lucky Radley, who is expected to make his season debut after transferring from Agoura. Radley will mostly play outside linebacker and strong safety but could get a few carries as well. “He’ll fly around the field and make some tackles,” Kerstetter said. “Offensively, he’ll be used sparingly this first week because he’s still trying to get the grasp of things.” The pick: Serra.

No. 8 Moorpark (4-0, 1-0) at Newbury Park (4-0, 1-0), 7 p.m. -- Before Moorpark can try to end Ventura St. Bonaventure’s reign of supremacy in the Northern Division playoffs, the Musketeers face Marmonte League rivals such as Newbury Park. The Panthers’ tailback Cameron Roberson, who is bound for Notre Dame, rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns in one half against winless Simi Valley last week. Moorpark has a balanced offensive attack that blends the passing of quarterback Brody Rohach and the running of tailback Austin Edmonson, who rushed for two touchdowns last week against Calabasas. The pick: Moorpark.

No. 18 Valencia (4-0) vs. Los Angeles Loyola (2-2) at L.A. Valley College, Saturday, 7 p.m. -- It’s been an emotional few weeks for Loyola. The Cubs lost standout running back Anthony Barr to a broken ankle after their second game and then learned that Coach Jeff Kearin had resigned following last week’s 21-10 victory against Bellflower St. John Bosco. Defensive Coordinator Adam Guerra has replaced Kearin on an interim basis and will also assume offensive play-calling duties. Guerra said the schemes “will stay pretty much the same,” which means lots of handoffs to running back Jared Baker. Loyola’s defense must contain Valencia tailback Steven Manfro, who is averaging 173 yards a game and has scored eight touchdowns. The pick: Loyola.

-- Ben Bolch