Santa Margarita puts its undefeated record on the line against Mater Dei

Thursday

Santa Margarita (5-0) vs. Santa Ana Mater Dei (2-3) at Santa Ana Stadium, 7:30 p.m. Mater Dei thrives in its underdog role, so don’t think for a minute that the Monarchs can’t pull off the upset in this Trinity League opener. They have won two in a row after an 0-3 start. Quarterback Ryan McMahon and his young teammates are getting better every week. Santa Margarita will rely on its huge offensive line to provide openings for quarterback Johnny Stanton and running back Ryan Wolpin. The pick: Santa Margarita.

Los Alamitos (4-1) vs. Huntington Beach Edison (3-2) at Huntington Beach, 7 p.m. The Sunset League title could be decided in this league opener. Edison must find a way to deny the big play to running back Cody Paul, who is averaging 9.7 yards a carry. The Chargers will have to protect quarterback Chase Favreau from a relentless Los Alamitos pass rush. The pick: Edison.

Friday

Orange Lutheran (5-0) vs. Anaheim Servite (4-1) at Cerritos College, 7:30 p.m. FS West. This game should be prep football at its best. Orange Lutheran has size and strength up front on offense and defense. Quarterback Conner Sullivan has completed 73% of his passes. Servite has been practicing for two weeks on how to stop the Lancers’ option play. Linebacker Butch Pauu sets the tone for Servite’s defense. The Friars are using a committee of running backs while putting their trust in quarterback Cody Pittman. The pick: Servite.

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (5-1) at Encino Crespi (5-1), 7 p.m. Time Warner Cable (midnight). Notre Dame has waited a year to try to make amends for last season’s game, in which it could not make a tackle on the final play, allowing the Celts to win and earn a Pac-5 playoff berth. Notre Dame’s passing attack is showing improvement behind quarterback Kelly Hilinski, adding another weapon to go with running back Khalfani Muhammad. Crespi has a receiving duo in Chris Harper and Michael Davison that can produce yards and points in a hurry. The pick: Notre Dame.

Lakewood (5-1, 2-0) vs. Long Beach Poly (5-1, 2-0) at Veterans Stadium, 7 p.m. The Moore League championship is on the line. Lakewood has been relying on sophomore linebacker Chandler Leniu, who is averaging 12 tackles a game. Poly is at its best when it doesn’t commit turnovers or penalties, and that’s a big challenge for the Jackrabbits. Safety David Price will be the player to watch on defense as he tries to slow Lakewood receivers Malik Gilmore and Darius Powe. The pick: Poly.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com