High school football: Friday’s top matchups

FRIDAY’S TOP HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAMES

No. 6 Ventura St. Bonaventure (1-0) vs. No. 16 Westlake Village Oaks Christian (0-1) at Ventura High, 7:30 p.m. — For Oaks Christian to prevail in its long-awaited Marmonte League opener, the Lions will have to diversify an offense that was conservative during a season-opening 20-17 loss to Mission Hills Alemany. “We have to open it up and spread the ball around a little more,” Oaks Christian Coach Bill Redell acknowledged. That could be difficult with tight end Dillon van der Wal sidelined because of a bruised leg and receiver Jordan Payton doubtful because of an ankle injury. St. Bonaventure exhibited poise in a 32-7 victory over Long Beach Poly that served as a coming-out party for quarterback Marc Evans, who completed 17 of 25 passes for 234 yards. The pick: St. Bonaventure.

No. 19 Carson (2-0) vs. Santa Margarita (1-1) at Saddleback College, 7 p.m. — Carson’s victories are over Santa Ana Mater Dei and Fontana Miller. The Colts’ Elijah Asante is also matching wits with another coaching legend in Harry Welch after having taken on Mater Dei’s Bruce Rollinson. And next month he’ll go up against Mission Viejo’s Bob Johnson. “They’re like the Mt. Rushmore of high school football coaches,” Asante said. “If you put five coaches on there, those three guys would definitely be included.” Santa Margarita quarterback Adam Young has completed 72.4% of his passes — 21 of 29 — for three touchdowns in the Eagles’ first two games. The pick: Carson.

No. 13 Long Beach Poly (1-1) at Harbor City Narbonne (1-0), 7 p.m., Time Warner Cable — Narbonne Coach Manuel Douglas learned this much during Poly’s 28-14 victory over the Gauchos last year: “If you don’t match their intensity,” Douglas said, “they’re going to kick your butt.” Narbonne has quarterback Troy Williams, who passed for three touchdowns, and running back Noel Rankin, who ran for three, during the Gauchos’ 41-0 victory over South East in South Gate. Most of the positives Poly generated during its opening triumph over Bakersfield were negated last week during a 32-7 loss to St. Bonaventure in which quarterback Chaiyse Hales completed only 11 of 27 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown with three interceptions. The pick: Narbonne.

No. 3 Anaheim Servite (2-0) vs. No. 24 La Habra (1-1) at Cerritos College, 7:30 p.m. — La Habra can’t be taken lightly, even with highly touted quarterback Cody Clements doubtful because of an injured right knee that sidelined him last week during the Highlanders’ 23-17 victory over La Mirada. Backup Matt Yackey completed a solid five of nine passing for 56 yards against the Matadores, and running backs Drake Griffin and Ahmad Avery combined for nearly 200 yards. Servite scored touchdowns on its first seven possessions last week during a 48-7 triumph over Granada Hills Kennedy. The pick: Servite.