Southern California’s top high school football games for Friday

Friday’s top games

Bellflower St. John Bosco (3-0) vs. Los Angeles Loyola (3-0) at L.A. Valley College, 7 p.m. — Two years ago, St. John Bosco and Loyola replaced their head coaches with Jason Negro and Mike Christensen, respectively, and now both square off hoping to convince the alumni that their programs are headed in the right direction. And they are. St. John Bosco is loaded with outstanding skill-position players, led by receivers Bryce Treggs and Dalis Bruce. Loyola has found a new running back in junior Wyatt Bradford, along with a stingy defense led by cornerbacks Chaz Anderson and Cameron Walker that has given up only 21 points in three games. The pick: Loyola.

Ventura St. Bonaventure (2-0, 1-0) at Westlake Village Oaks Christian (1-1, 1-0), 7 p.m., FoxSportsWest.com — This Marmonte League showdown went into overtime last season, and Oaks Christian rallied for a victory on its way to winning the Northern Division championship. This time, the advantage rests with St. Bonaventure, which has veterans in key positions, such as quarterback Marc Evans, running back Shaun Wick and lineman David Barrajas. Oaks Christian is expected to use two quarterbacks, Luke Falk and Brandon Dawkins. The key is the Lions generating a consistent running attack behind Ishmael Adams and Carlos Mendoza to take pressure away from the quarterbacks. The pick: St. Bonaventure.

Long Beach Poly (3-0) at Mission Viejo (2-1), 7 p.m., FoxSportsWest.com — A year ago, Poly lost to the Diablos, 37-7. This is an opportunity to prove the Jackrabbits are back as a Pac-5 title contender. Quarterback Chaiyes Hales has been effective as a passer for Poly. The Jackrabbits’ defense must stop Mission Viejo’s rushing attack. Linebackers Matthew Rowe and Salamo Fiso will be the players to watch. Mission Viejo quarterback Alex Bridgford will be counted on to play mistake-free football. The pick: Mission Viejo.

eric.sondheimer.@latimes.com