A look at three of this week’s top high school football games in the Southland:
FRIDAY
Mater Dei (3-2) vs. Santa Margarita (4-1) at Saddleback College, 7 p.m.
You might think you’re watching a fútbol game instead of a football game in this Trinity League opener in which both teams have outstanding defenses, which means any scoring will be a luxury. Santa Margarita has three shutouts in five games. Mater Dei has a terrific group of linebackers. The pick: Santa Margarita.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (5-0) at Chaminade (5-0), 7 p.m.
It’s the battle of the unbeatens in a Mission League opener. Notre Dame has not faced a team this season the caliber of Chaminade, which can run, pass and play good defense. Notre Dame needs a big game from the versatile Tahj Skinner, its quarterback and star safety. The pick: Chaminade.
Cleveland (5-0) at Birmingham (1-4), 7 p.m.
Who thought Birmingham would be the underdog in any West Valley League game? The Patriots won only once during their nonleague schedule against Southern Section teams and took a setback last week in a loss to Harvard-Westlake. Cleveland used its rushing attack to upset Crenshaw on the road. The winner will be a certain City Section Open Division playoff team. The pick: Birmingham.