Press-Telegram football previews: Big challenges for Los Alamitos, Long Beach Poly

Previews of the top local high school football games in Week 7.

THURSDAY

Sunset League

Los Alamitos (5-1) vs. Edison (4-2) at Westminster HS, 7:30 p.m.

The Griffins last week dominated Corona del Mar, their primary competition for the league title the previous three seasons, and their reward is another huge test. Beat Edison and they’ll possess the Sunset championship, for all intents. The Chargers, whose losses are to Trinity League teams, are dynamic on both sides of the ball. WR Nico Brown is the heart of the attack — he’s caught 110 career passes for 1,735 yards and 21 TDs — and QB Parker Awad has thrown for 1,475 yards and 11 TDs with just 1 INT. Pivotal will be how Edison deals with Los Al’s passing attack, led by QB Malachi Nelson (1,500-plus yards, 17 TDs), the state’s top junior.

FRIDAY 

Nonleague

Long Beach Poly (3-3) at Aquinas (3-3), 7 p.m.

The Jackrabbits’ game with Cabrillo was called off after the Jaguars were hit with a COVID-19 outbreak, but Aquinas — a Catholic school in San Bernardino — needed a homecoming opponent after Western Christian pulled out of an Ambassador League clash, so this is win-win. And markedly better competition for Poly: The Falcons won 37 games and two CIF titles the past three autumn seasons and have stayed within 14 points of unbeaten Etiwanda and a point of Upland.

Moore League

Jordan (3-4) at Wilson (1-5), 7 p.m.

The Panthers bounced back from their disappointment against Lakewood with an impressive victory over Compton behind Damian Henderson (165 rushing) and Makhi Travis (201 passing). A win here keeps alive their playoff hopes. Wilson’s not out of the postseason picture yet but will be if they falter. QB Zander McLaurin, LB Cordae Jones and TE/DE Joshua Scott, all seniors, have been huge for the young Bruins.

Compton (2-3) at Millikan (3-4), 7 p.m.

The Rams have looked really good since the loss to La Mirada four weeks ago, utilizing a dynamic defense, sophomore QB Myles Jackson’s increasing mastery of the offense, the array of talent at his disposal, and greater discipline. Compton finally sent a near-full-strength team onto the field last week but fell to Jordan in a game with playoff implications. The Tarbabes’ double-wing will have to be brilliant if they’re to have a chance.

Del Rey League

St. Anthony (4-3) at Mary Star (3-3), 3 p.m.

The Saints have won four in a row, with Sone Aupiu rushing for nearly 1,000 yards in those victories, as they march toward an an expected final-week showdown with Harvard-Westlake for the Del Rey title. To get there, they must succeed in an afternoon encounter in San Pedro. The Stars offer a balanced attack behind sophomore QB Santiago Martinez and junior RB Nathan Chavez, who combine for about 250 yards per week.

San Gabriel Valley League

Downey (5-1) at Paramount (2-3), 7 p.m.

An intriguing battle between longtime powers on different planes. The Vikings could contend for a CIF title, if they slot into the right division, while Paramount rejiggers things after graduation and transfers trimmed their talent. This one takes on added interest with the uncertainty, at least publicly, about Downey QB Aidan Chiles, a junior who had hit on about 73 percent of his passes but “hurt his wrist,” head coach Jack Williams reported, in last week’s rout of Gahr. Williams is otherwise mum, so no idea if Chiles will be available. If he’s not, it will be interesting to see how that impacts the Vikings.

Olympic League

Village Christian (5-0) at Valley Christian (4-1), 7 p.m.

The Defenders have won four of the Olympic’s last five fall championships — they did not play in the spring — and here’s their chance for another. QB Logan Lemonnier can be terrifically efficient: He completed 9 of 10 for 156 yards and 4 TDs, all to Nick Bozanic, in last week’s Artesia rout, and was 15 of 16 for 243 against Santa Rosa Academy in August.