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Saturday’s Southern California prep football championship games

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Prep football championships

Saturday

Crenshaw (12-1) vs. Harbor City Narbonne (13-0) at East Los Angeles College, 7 p.m. (TWC SportsNet, TWC Deportes): This much-anticipated City Section Division I final matches two athletic, physical teams with lots of weapons. Crenshaw junior quarterback Ajene Harris has outstanding receivers to throw to in Mossi Johnson and Dominique Hatfield. The question is, can his line give him protection? Narbonne quarterback Troy Williams graduates in two weeks, then leaves for Washington, and he wants to win a second consecutive City title. He has receiver A.J. Richardson and running backs Tony Gates and Johnell Jackson. Narbonne’s defense is known for being stingy against the run and pass. The pick: Narbonne.

Canoga Park (9-4) vs. San Fernando (11-2) at East Los Angeles College, 3 p.m. (TWC Deportes): These two Valley Mission League teams get a rematch in the City Section Division II final. San Fernando won the first time, 36-28, on Oct. 26. Quarterback Cristian Solano and running back Daemon Thompson lead the Tigers. Canoga Park has shown steady improvement while relying on the versatile Khyree Morgan. The pick: San Fernando.

Long Beach Poly (10-3) vs. Santa Ana Mater Dei (11-2) at Angel Stadium, 7:30 p.m. (Fox Sports West): This Pac-5 final was never expected. Mater Dei didn’t make the playoffs last season. Poly was routed, 56-0, by Narbonne in a nonleague game. But both teams have reached peak form and anything could happen, especially with a muddy field expected that could aid Poly’s ground attack. Mater Dei has the best player on the field in receiver-linebacker Thomas Duarte. Poly has been running the ball effectively behind its big offensive line and running back Gerard Wicks. This game is all about whether Mater Dei’s defense can force Poly to pass, and will Duarte make enough big plays on both sides of the field? The pick: Poly.

— Eric Sondheimer

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