TONIGHT’S CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL GAMES

CITY SECTION

Woodland Hills Taft (13-0) vs. Lake Balboa Birmingham (10-3), at Coliseum, 8

The gloves are off between these two rivals and a week of back-and-forth sniping can now be settled on the field in a rematch of the West Valley League title-deciding game won by Taft, 30-6, on Nov. 15. Taft, No. 6 in The Times’ rankings, will look to secure its place in City Section history while Birmingham tries for the upset and its first major-division championship since 1963. In City title games involving rematches, the loser of the regular-season game has won the title in three of the last four seasons. The Patriots, who will be without suspended receiver Bennie Ward, will need a better game on offense to have a chance. In the first meeting, Taft’s speedy defense, led by linebacker Lance Broadus and a dominating secondary, held running back Dennis Keyes to 86 yards and harassed quarterback Ryan Lombardo into a subpar performance. With five receptions, Taft’s Steve Smith can end his career as the state record holder. Smith enters the game with 265 receptions in three varsity seasons.

-- Eric Stephens

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SOUTHERN SECTION

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (13-0) vs. Manhattan Beach Mira Costa (13-0) at El Camino College, 7:30

Top-seeded Mira Costa (No. 7) is seeking its first Division III championship. Can No. 2-seeded Notre Dame (No. 16) reverse a recent trend of title-game frustration to win one of its own? Mira Costa’s offense has been almost perfect, averaging 40 points in the playoffs behind the throwing of Peter Dobush, the catching of Nick Haley and the running of Michael Okwo. If any team can stop Mira Costa, it’s Notre Dame. Led by defensive lineman Alex Puccinelli (22 sacks), the Knights have been stingy all season and have allowed an average of 12.3 points in three playoff victories. Notre Dame is trying for its first Division III championship since a 27-20 victory over Chino Hills Ayala in 1994. Championship games haven’t been as kind to Notre Dame since -- the Knights lost Division III title games against Camarillo in 1996 and Arroyo Grande in 1997. Mira Costa won the Division VII title in 1993 and the Division IX championship in 1997, but lost to eventual champion Newhall Hart in the 2000 final and 2001 semifinals.

-- Mike Bresnahan

Westlake Village Westlake (11-2) vs. Ventura St. Bonaventure (12-1) at Moorpark High, 7:30

A victory by top-seeded St. Bonaventure (No. 10) would give the Seraphs their first Division IV championship after winning Division XI the three previous years. A Westlake win would give the Warriors their second Division IV championship in four years. St. Bonaventure’s Whitney Lewis, one of the most heavily recruited players in the nation, has rushed for 863 yards and 20 touchdowns and caught 59 passes for 1,076 yards and 14 touchdowns. Westlake, which was 1-2 after three games, has a highly regarded defense led by linemen Jimmy Miller and Michael Stuart and an offense led by the bruising running of Merrill Mullaly and the passing of Erik Vose. Mullaly didn’t play extensively until the fourth game of the season, but has rushed for 1,547 yards and 17 touchdowns. Vose has passed for 2,164 yards and 12 touchdowns.

-- John Ortega

Corona Centennial (11-2) vs. Riverside North (10-3) at Riverside Norte Vista High, 7:30

The advantage in this Division V game might go to the first team that forces a punt. Centennial (No. 12) was already averaging 44 points before rolling up 53 against Moreno Valley Canyon Springs in a semifinal. North (No. 24) can also score in a hurry, evidenced by its four third-quarter touchdowns against Temecula Chaparral in a quarterfinal. Centennial’s defense has also played well in big games, turning five San Clemente turnovers into 20 points in a 26-12 victory in Week 4. North will need a big game from Damon Morton, a defensive back and wide receiver who was chosen the state’s best sophomore player last year by Cal-Hi Sports.

-- Dan Arritt

Hacienda Heights Los Altos (11-2) vs. Santa Ana Foothill (11-2) at Edison Field, 7:30

The first order of business for top-seeded Los Altos (No. 17) is slowing down Mike Liti, who has rushed for 2,136 yards, and the second is pressuring Don Poole, who has passed for 2,753 yards. Second-seeded Foothill has the most balanced offense in Division VI and has averaged 37.8 points in its last four games. Los Altos has been more run-oriented with Randall Brown and Daniel Drayton, averaging 39 points the last month, but to win a third title in four seasons -- and first in Division VI -- the Conquerors will need a solid effort from quarterback Carlos Ordonez.

-- Martin Henderson

Garden Grove Pacifica (11-2) vs. La Habra at CS Fullerton (12-1), 7

One of these teams will win its first section title in this Division IX matchup. Each has been close. This is Pacifica’s third championship-game appearance in its 37 years, and it’s the second time in three years for No. 21 La Habra, which lost to Covina South Hills in 2000. Each has a nine-game winning streak and averages more than 30 points. Pacifica running back David Heller holds the school season rushing record with 2,020 yards. He has scored 23 touchdowns. Quarterback Justin Turner has passed for 2,041 yards and 12 touchdowns. La Habra quarterback Daniel Morales has six elusive receivers, each with at least five touchdown catches. Morales has passed for 2,693 yards and 27 touchdowns.

-- Paul McLeod

Lompoc (10-3) at Gardena Serra (13-0), 7

Strong running games and solid defenses are the calling cards for these Division X finalists. Top-seeded Serra is led by Ryan Kelly, who has 1,730 yards rushing and averages 9.4 yards a carry. Quarterback Corey Jones adds balance with 1,257 yards passing and an average of 21.7 yards per completion. Serra has allowed 12.8 points a game this season and has outscored its playoff opponents, 82-29. Lompoc relies on a two-man rushing attack with Robert Adams (1,125 yards in 208 carries) and Matt Winn (915 yards in 151 carries); Winn has 383 yards in three playoff games. Lompoc allows 12.4 points a game. Lompoc, which is 1-7 in championship games, last made a final in 1995. Serra is making its second championship-game appearance and first since a 34-31 victory over Lompoc in the 1989 final.

-- Peter Yoon