The stadium lights will be shining all over the South Coast on Friday night as four high school teams play their football games at home.
Bishop Diego is the lone traveler. The Cardinals head to Downey to face a undefeated St. Pius X/St. Matthias Academy team in their final tuneup before Marmonte League play in two weeks.
Meanwhile, Santa Barbara, San Marcos, Dos Pueblos and Carpinteria face some tough competition on the home turf.
Santa Barbara returns to Peabody Stadium for the first time since its season opener, and takes on a red-hot Ventura team in a key Channel League game.
San Marcos looks to bounce back from two straight loss against a surging Buena team at Warkentin Stadium.
At Dos Pueblos, the Chargers will have their hands full against an athletic, speedy Pacifica squad.
In a non-league game, Carpinteria faces a tough assignment against Brentwood.
Here is a look at Friday’s games.
Ventura (3-1, 2-0) at Santa Barbara (3-1, 1-1), 7 p.m. (Radio: AM 1290, FM 96.9) — The Dons’ potent offense will be seriously challenged against the aggressive, disciplined defense of Ventura. The Cougars have allowed just two touchdowns in their last three games.
Santa Barbara coach J.T. Stone says Ventura always plays well against the Dons. “Coach (Tim) Garcia does a really good job with his team. That is a well-coached football team, and we expect them to come up here and play. Our guys know what is at stake, and we’ll be ready.”
Santa Barbara has too many weapons and its defense is playing well. The Pick: Santa Barbara
Buena (2-2, 2-0) at San Marcos (2-2, 0-2), 7 p.m. — This is big game for the Royals, who are aiming for one of the four automatic playoff spots in the nine-team Channel League. The Royals will have to contain Buena’s talented quarterback Zane Carter, who has the Bulldogs rolling since returning to the lineup after missing the first two games.
San Marcos needs to get running back Andre McCullough going again. The Pick: Buena
Pacifica (3-1, 2-0) at Dos Pueblos (2-2, 2-0), 7 p.m. — The Chargers will need to keep the ball out of Pacifica’s hands as much as they can to stay in this game. The Pick: Pacifica
Bishop Diego (3-1) at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy (4-0), 7 p.m. — SPXSMA is Bishop’s first CIF-Southern Section opponent of the season, and it’s a tough one. Like Fresno-Central last week, the Warriors have a strong quarterback in 6-foot-3 senior Dieter Barr and three athletic wide receivers.
The defense is led by 6-2, 240-pound defensive end D’Angelo Davis. A CIF finalist in 2019 and 2021, SPXSMA has wins this season over St. Francis and St. Paul, two perennially strong programs.
Bishop showed more diversity in its offense in the 38-34 loss to Central, which will help in this game. On defense, the Cardinals will need to put more pressure on the quarterback. The Pick: Bishop Diego.
Brentwood (3-1) at Carpinteria (1-2), 7 p.m. — The Warriors will have their hands full against Brentwood junior quarterback Boone Lourd. He’s thrown 10 touchdown passes and leads a balanced attack that is averaging more than 350 yards a game. The Pick: Brentwood.