High school football: Friday’s top matchups

FRIDAY’S TOP HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAMES

Santa Ana Mater Dei (1-2) vs. Huntington Beach Edison (3-1) at Orange Coast College, 7 p.m. -- Mater Dei finally showed signs of life last week with a victory over San Clemente. Edison played well on defense in a 16-9 loss to Anaheim Servite. Edison quarterback Chase Favreau suffered a sprained ankle, so his availability is in question. The pick: Mater Dei.

Encino Crespi (2-1) at Vista Murrieta (3-0), 7 p.m. -- It’s another private vs. public school encounter, and this game should reveal how much Crespi has improved since an opening loss to Compton Dominguez. Quarterback Kenny Stenhouse has made steady progress. Vista Murrieta is ranked No. 1 in the Southern Section’s Inland Division. The pick: Vista Murrieta.

Carson (2-1) at Mission Viejo (4-0), 7:30 p.m. -- Carson has had two weeks to prepare for the Diablos and also get over its 56-14 defeat to Santa Margarita. Avoiding turnovers will be the key if Carson expects to stay close. Quarterback Justin Alo needs to make good judgments in passing and running. Top-ranked Mission Viejo relies on dominant offensive and defensive lines and is coming off a rout of Long Beach Poly. The pick: Mission Viejo.

Westlake Village Westlake (3-0, 2-0) at Westlake Village Oaks Christian (2-1, 2-0), 8:30 p.m., Prime Ticket -- It took 11 years for these schools -- located less than a mile apart -- to finally meet in football. Westlake’s offense, with quarterback Nick Isham, has been unstoppable. The big question is whether Oaks Christian has the offensive firepower to match the Warriors. Westlake’s underrated defensive line, led by Justin Solis, has played well. Richie Harrington, a reserve quarterback who led Oaks Christian to a comeback victory over Ventura St. Bonaventure, will get the start over Trevor Gretzky, who can’t play because of a shoulder injury. The pick: Westlake.

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