High School Football

Re "Texas cheerleaders may use biblical banners - for now," Oct. 19 Aside from the very real issue of separation of church and state, the Kountze High School cheerleaders' use of Bible verses at football games is an unseemly use of religion that I hope any serious person of faith would find objectionable. It seems petty and absurd to call upon one's God to take sides in a high school football game. I would think there are equally believing and possibly worthy Christians on the opposing team, creating a difficult conundrum for their God. The only appropriate uses of religion in such a setting would be to pray (privately)

Friday's top high school football games: Santa Ana Mater Dei (10-2) vs. Long Beach Poly (11-1) at Veterans Stadium, 7:30 p.m. (Fox Sports West) This is a rematch of last year's Pac-5 final won by Poly, 35-17. There figures to be fewer points scored in this semifinal game between two powerful defenses. Mater Dei will try to run the ball with Justin Allen. Poly will try to run the ball by committee behind its big offensive line. Each team will seek to pull off a big play.

Top defensive backs Ishmael Adams, Oaks Christian, 5-10, 182, Sr. Combines speed with terrific instincts Chaz Anderson, Loyola, 6-0, 170, Sr. Boise State commit can take on anyone Brandon Beaver, Dominguez, 6-1, 195, Sr. Lots of speed, athleticism Julian Brooks, Sierra Canyon, 6-2, 190, Sr. Had 10 interceptions Donte Deayon, Summit, 5-9, 160, Sr. Boise State commit had 10 interceptions Raymond Ford, Gardena Serra, 5-10,...

It was "Friday Night Lights" in Corona, high school football center stage. The joy of anticipation bubbled over. Teenage players couldn't wait. Parents and friends were in the stands. The communities that embrace Corona Santiago High and Upland High were bundled up and full-throated. This was a quarterfinal game in the Southern Section Inland Division playoffs. Winning meant advancing to another game, more joyful anticipation, more pats on the back and maybe even longer looks from college scouts.

Last Friday night, the greatest thing on earth got underway: the high school football season. Compton Dominguez vs. St. John Bosco. For a night, that's the only thing that mattered to us. The Friday night lights beamed down on us and the Braves beat the Dons, 40-7. On three offensive drives, the Braves scored on their first play from scrimmage and the defense was nails against Dominguez's Double Wing-T offense. Junior Josh Rosen threw for five touchdowns - four to Jaleel Wadood and one to Shay Fields.

Long Beach Poly (1-1) at Harbor City Narbonne (1-0), 7 p.m. (Time Warner Cable, Channel 101, midnight): Poly fans are getting a little grumpy. They don't think their team should ever lose, and after a close loss to Gardena Serra last week, the Jackrabbits face another tough challenge from City Section title favorite Narbonne. The Gauchos return 10 starters on defense, led by linebackers Marquis Lomax and Keishawn Bierria. Poly needs to cut down on turnovers and penalties. The pick: Narbonne.

Oh, brother. If you're seeing double or even triple when looking out on high school football fields this season, your eyesight isn't betraying you. There are teams loaded with twins, triplets and brothers galore. At Westlake Village Westlake, three starting defensive positions are filled by the Ray triplets - seniors Devin, Brennan and Dylan. Two other starting spots belong to the Rothschiller twins, Jake and Kyle. At Calabasas Viewpoint, five sets of brothers are in the football program.

MARIETTA, Ga. - The August afternoon was a merciful one. The sky above Marietta High School was overcast, and by 3:30 p.m., temperatures hovered in the low 80s as football practice began. Still, like high school football coaches all over Georgia, Marietta's coaches were leaving little to chance. Responsible for the health of the 100 students on the field, athletic trainer Jeff Hopp stood by a $2,500 sophisticated temperature gauge on the sidelines to measure the heat, humidity and solar radiation.

Friday's top high school football playoff games: Anaheim Servite (5-5) at Westlake Village Westlake (8-2), 7:30 p.m. (Fox Sports West Prep Zone): Teams with lots of talented underclassmen meet in a Pac-5 Division playoff opener. Marmonte League champion Westlake is on a six-game winning streak fueled by a defense that has been shutting down good offenses. Sophomore quarterback Malik Henry has played solidly while trying to avoid mistakes. Servite, having faced the toughest schedule of any team in Southern California, should be ready for playoff pressure.

The top 25 high school football teams in the Southland. Rank; school; record; last week; next opponent (previous) 1. ST. JOHN BOSCO 10-0; def. Servite, 42-21; vs. Agoura, Friday (1) 2. GARDENA SERRA 10-0; def. St. Paul, 56-10; vs. Pacific, Friday (2) 3. MISSION VIEJO 10-0; def. El Toro, 60-25; vs. Crespi, Friday (3) 4. LONG BEACH POLY 9-1; def. Long Beach Wilson, 57-0; vs. Orange Lutheran at Veterans Stadium, Friday (4) 5. CORONA CENTENNIAL 8-2; def. Corona, 74-0; vs. Etiwanda, Friday (6)

Editor's note: Elijah Zabludoff is a senior football player from St. John Bosco High and an aspiring journalist. Each week during the high school football season, he will be blogging about his personal experiences and also his thoughts about prep sports in general. Zabludoff is a returning starter at center for the Braves, who are ranked No. 1 in the Southland by the Los Angeles Times. I heard the eerie "oohs" of the crowd and what seemed like thousands of shrieks. I turned back and saw our punter, R.D. Cole, kicking the ball out of the end zone.

A look at two of the top high school football games Friday. Santa Ana Mater Dei (7-1, 2-1) at Bellflower St. John Bosco (8-0, 3-0), 7:30 p.m. (Fox Sports West): This Trinity League game has been marked on many calendars as a must-see game. Mater Dei was upset by Santa Margarita, 16-7, last week, but the Monarchs usually play well in an underdog role. Receivers-defensive backs Jonathan Lockett and Ben Humphreys will be turned loose against St. John Bosco's many weapons. St. John Bosco's offense hasn't been held to fewer than 24 points all season.

Celebrity spokesdoctor Dr. Mehmet Oz has pushed back against our post this week questioning why he appeared in a promotional ad for the National Football League , given the league's dubious record on head injuries. We asked whether it wasn't irresponsible of America's most prominent medical authority to promote schoolboy football -- he used his own son as an example -- without at least warning parents of evidence that the sport can produce lasting medical consequences. The post also included the explanation he gave us that he made the spot to convey  "the role the game played in my personal ... development" and "the same value in the game as a teaching tool for our son. "   In an interview with AdvertisingAge published Thursday, Dr. Oz expanded on those assertions and answered some of our other points.