CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES AT A GLANCE : DIVISION VIII

Laguna Hills (12-1) vs. La Mirada (12-0-1)

7:30 P.M. FRIDAY

LA MIRADA HIGH

Michael Jones has been the focal point of Laguna Hills’ team for the last three years. But if the Hawks are going to beat La Mirada and realize their dream of winning a Southern Section Division VIII championship, their defense will need to take center stage. La Mirada has scored 50, 43 and 46 points in its three playoff victories and it averaged 36 points during the regular season. “We have not faced an offense this good all season,” Laguna Hills Coach Steve Bresnahan said. “If it becomes a foot race to the goal line, we will not be able to keep up with them and we will lose. Our defense has to play the best game they’ve played all season. We need 11 guys playing defense.” La Mirada Coach John Mele said he expects Laguna Hills to try and disrupt his team’s passing attack with plenty of blitzes. “I’m sure they’ll come after us, but our offensive line has done a good job all year,” Mele said. “We won’t change anything. We’ll spread it out and use multiple sets. Whatever [Bresnahan] gives me, I’ll take.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

KEY PLAYERS

Laguna Hills

QB Tommy Banning

1,193 yds. passing, 17 TDs

LB Scott Christie

54 tackles, 4 sacks

LB Anthony Daye

92 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 Int.

RB Michael Jones

2,315 yds., 35 TDs

DE Jeremy Miller

4 sacks, 1 Int.

La Mirada

RB Steve Coumparoules

1,084 yds., 10 TDs

QB Robert Herndon

2,839 yds., 40 TDs

WR Tim Lemon

89 rec., 18 TDs

TE Scott Rudiger

26 rec., 10 TDs

K Jimmy Zurn

13 FGs, long of 47 yds.