It's High School Football Playoff Championship week.
Here's a look at the best matches from Friday and Saturday:
Southern section
FRIDAY
DIVISION 1
Santa Margarita (9-3) vs. Corona Centennial (11-1) at the Rose Bowl, 7 p.m.
The last team standing will be the one that can operate on offense, displaying two aggressive and physical defenses. Santa Margherita have the advantage of versatile midfielder Das Fifita and an unrivaled defensive line. Coach Carson Palmer played in the Rose Bowl twice as a USC player. Centennial must find a way to run the ball or else quarterback Dominic Catalano is in for a long night. Choice: Santa Margherita.
DIVISION 3
Oxnard Pacifica (13-0) vs. Palos Verdes (10-3), 7 p.m.
Pacifica's speed will give Palos Verdes problems, especially if guard Taylor Lee can get the ball to his playmakers. Any team with quarterback Ryan Rakowski isn't going to lose easily, but Rakowski broke his thumb last week. Reserve player Giorgio Di Maschio has shown he can fill in when needed. Choice: Pacifica.
SATURDAY
DIVISION 2
Los Alamitos (11-2) vs. San Clemente (9-4), 7 p.m.
No team finished the season faster than San Clemente, which went from unranked to entering the championship game on a five-game winning streak. And the teams they beat were good – Los Alamitos, Edison, Beaumont, Vista Murrieta and Leuzinger. Defense was key. Patrick Norman leads the team with 109 tackles. The Tritons will have to make sure Los Alamitos running backs Lenny Ibarra and Camden Tillis are kept under control. Choice: San Clemente.
DIVISION 5
Rio Hondo Prep (13-0) at Redondo Union (9-4), 7 p.m.
With a student population of just 150, Rio Hondo Prep faces its biggest challenge yet: winning its 17th championship. Coach Mark Carson teaches schemes and strategies to players as they enter seventh grade. Running back Noah Penunuri (1,203 yards, 22 touchdowns) is recovering from an ankle injury. Redondo Union, with about 3,000 students, is playing its first title game since 1944. Quarterback Cole Leinart is the son of Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart. Choice: Rio Hondo Rev.
City section
FRIDAY
DIVISION III
Hawkins (10-2) vs. Santee (9-4) in Birmingham, 2 p.m.
It's been a long road back for Hawkins after the program hit rock bottom in 2016 with fines, coaching staff firings and player attrition in a season that ended 0-13. Coach Ronald Coltress remained faithful. Senior Jamariah Wallace is closing in on 900 yards rushing. Santee's Darnell Miller gets a chance to put on a show. He rushed for over 3,100 yards and 35 touchdowns. Choice: Santi.
DIVISION II
San Fernando (10-3) vs. Cleveland (5-8) at Birmingham, 6 p.m.
That all changed when Cleveland guard Domenic Fuentes returned from injury in Week 1 to lead the Cavaliers into the playoffs. San Fernando's Julian Sarzo passed for 1,500 yards. Choice: Cleveland.
SATURDAY
DIVISION I
Marquez (11-2) vs. South Gate (10-3), Southwestern Los Angeles College, 2 p.m.
It will be South Gate quarterback Michael Gonzalez's victory against all-around junior Elijah Staples, arguably the top college prospect in the city section. He gets sacks, catches passes and makes plays. Choice: Marquez.
OPEN COMPARTMENT
Crenshaw (10-1) vs. Carson (8-3) at Southwestern College in Los Angeles, 6 p.m.
These two defenses have given up a combined 14 points in the playoffs. As impressive as Crenshaw has been, Carson has stepped up to the next level behind quarterback Chris Fields III. Crenshaw's speed and consistency on defense should contribute to the defensive battle. Choice: Carson.
