A look at this week’s top high school football games

A look at two of Southland’s best high school football playoff games this week:

game on Thursday

Lake Balboa Birmingham (5-5) at Venice (8-2), 7 p.m. Birmingham, the two-time City Section Open Division champions, have not lost to a City Section opponent since 2017 against Fairfax. The Patriots are the underdog against a senior-dominated Venice team that has the city’s best quarterback in Paul Kessler and a strong defense that will try to slow the Patriots’ rushing attack. The choice: Venice.

The games on Friday

Los Alamitos (8-2) vs. Long Beach Poly (10-0) at Veterans Stadium, 7:30 p.m. The much-anticipated Division 1 playoff game encounters two exceptional offenses. Los Alamitos’ speed is being tested by a poly defense that has recorded five consecutive shutouts. Running back Damian Henderson will be key to creating chances for quarterback Malachi Nelson. Poly quarterback Darius Curry is in the spotlight with his awesome collection of receivers. The choice: poly.

Mission Viejo (9-1) at Corona Centennial (9-1), 7 p.m. Mission Viejo must protect quarterback Kaden Semonza from an underrated Centennial defense. The game could turn into a shootout, and the huskies don’t usually lose high score games. The Choice: Centennial.