Loara (5-4, 4-0) vs. Kennedy (7-2, 3-1)

7 TONIGHT GLOVER STADIUM

Loara’s small, quick defense will get tested by Rhema McKnight, who is averaging 22.4 yards per reception. He and Geoff Etherson give Kennedy as much quick-strike capability as anyone, and Kelvin Beatty is a dependable runner. But Kennedy can’t win if it offers a repeat performance from last week’s 21-13 effort against Cypress, a score made respectable by two McKnight touchdown catches--one for 96 yards--in the final three minutes. To defend its title, Loara--with losses to teams ranked Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in various Southern Section polls--must stop the big play.

KEY PLAYERS

Loara

QB Ryan Gusman

40.7%, 3 TDs, 7 ints.

RB Billy Chavez

6.6 yds. per carry, 14 TDs

WR Rudy Acosta

17 rec., 217 yds., 4 TDs

Kennedy

QB Geoff Etherson

57.8%, 14 TDs, 9 ints.

RB Kelvin Beatty

6.0 yds. per carry, 13 TDs

WR Rhema McKnight

42 rec., 941 yds., 14 TDs