A league championship, playoff positioning and eligibility will be at stake in the final Friday night of the high school football regular season.
Bishop Diego travels to Camarillo to decide the Camino League title. Both teams are 2-0.
The game can be heard on AM 1290 and AM1290KZSB.com.
The Cardinals (7-1 overall) have regrouped after their lone loss to St. Bonaventure, blowing out Newbury Park, 49-7, and Moorpark 55-0, in their two league games.
They’ll now face a Camarillo team (6-3) that is very balanced. Junior quarterback Brody Meyers has passed for 1,726 yards and 17 touchdowns.
He has big targets in 6-3 junior receiver Jack Maulhardt and 6-5 senior receiver Max Carter. Maulhardt has 33 receptions, including nine for touchdown passes. Carter has 39 catches.
Senior running back Jack Bowers averages 6.9 yards a carry.
“The quarterback is efficient and trusts his guys to make plays, evident by him throwing to guys who are ‘covered’ yet they still make the play,” said Bishop assistant coach and athletic director Aaron Skinner of the Scorpions.
However, Camarillo will going against an aggressive and athletic Bishop Diego defense that has allowed only 66 points this year.
Senior Logologo Va’a leads the defense with 40 total tackles, 12 solo, and nine tackles for losses, including six sacks. Va’a recently received an offer from UC Davis.
Offensively, not many teams have been able to slow Cardinals’ junior running back Qu’ran Gossett. He’s rushed for 726 yards on just 81 carries and has scored 16 touchdowns.
Quarterback Michael Luckhurst hasn’t piled up huge stats, but he’s been very efficient in leading the Cardinals to the end zone many times. He has thrown 14 touchdown passes.
Bishop Diego has been on a roll since its 21-14 loss to unbeaten St. Bonaventure in Week 6.
When the Cardinals met Camarillo in the abbreviated spring season, they won 42-7. The team is playing better as it eyes a deep run in the playoffs.
The Pick: Bishop Diego.
In other action, Santa Barbara plays at Rio Mesa for sole possession of second place in the Channel League, or a share of the league title if Oxnard upsets Pacifica. San Marcos visits Santa Ynez and needs a win to get to 5-5 and become playoff eligible.
Lompoc is in the same situation when it takes the Huyck Stadium turf against Dos Pueblos. Carpinteria and Cabrillo look for their first wins against Santa Paula and Buena, respectively.
Santa Barbara (7-2, 3-1) at Rio Mesa (6-3, 3-1), 7 p.m. — Both teams are in the playoffs, but this game holds importance in terms of first-round placement in whatever bracket they end up in on Sunday. With wide receiver Miguel Unzueta healthy, Dons’ quarterback Abel Renteria has another weapon at his disposal. The Santa Barbara defense will again be tested, but it’s done well against good competition. The Pick: Santa Barbara
San Marcos (4-5, 2-2) at Santa Ynez (7-2, 3-1), 7 p.m. — The fact the Royals are in the playoff hunt going into the final week of the regular season is a credit to first-year coach Ralph Molina instilling a winning attitude, and the players staying engaged and improving. That won’t be enough against a potent Santa Ynez team whose only league loss came to Buena on the last play of the game. The Pick: Santa Ynez
Dos Pueblos (2-7, 0-4) at Lompoc (4-5, 1-3), 7 p.m. — The Chargers have their hands full against Lompoc’s explosive Deville Dickerson (11 returns for touchdowns) and Sheldon Canley Jr., who has rushed for 1,350 yards and scored 20 TDs. Plus, Lompoc is motivated to become playoff eligible. The Pick: Lompoc
Santa Paula (3-6, 0-3) at Carpinteria (0-9, 0-3), 7 p.m. — The Warriors look to score for the first time in four weeks against a longtime rival. The Pick: Santa Paula
Cabrillo (0-9, 0-4) at Buena (6-3, 4-0), 7 p.m. — The Conquistadores play their final football game in the Southern Section against the Pacific View League champions. The Pick: Buena.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.