Crunch time as Edison guns for No. 1

Heading into a pivotal point in its season last week, the Edison High football team passed a huge test Saturday by beating Servite, 28-13, at Glover Stadium.

Perhaps that tough road test will prepare the Chargers for an even tougher assignment this week.

Two undefeated teams will collide Friday at LeBard Stadium at Orange Coast College when Edison hosts top-ranked Mater Dei at 7 p.m.

The game marks the eighth meeting between the two schools since 2000, with Mater Dei holding a 4-3 edge in victories during that span.

Edison, however, leads the overall series, 11-7-1. Friday’s game figures to add luster to a series that had a 10-year hiatus before resuming in 2000, and one that was born in 1976.

“It’s a huge one, that’s for sure,” Edison Coach Dave White said of Friday’s showdown. “The series has had some tight games in recent years, and I hope it’s a close game Friday because Mater Dei is a confident team right now with that win over Mission Viejo. They are playing well and have great leadership.”

Mater Dei heads to LeBard Stadium with a 3-0 record. The highlight of its undefeated start has been a 17-14 come-from-behind victory over then-No. 1 Mission Viejo on Sept. 14. That win helped catapult the Monarchs to No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division poll, as well as earned them a No. 1 ranking in the county.

Edison (4-0) enters the matchup ranked fifth.

Mater Dei is coming off an easy 38-0 win over Cabrillo of Long Beach. The Monarchs’ rushing attack — spearheaded by its top threat Ahmed Mokhtar, who scored two touchdowns — gained more than 250 yards against the Jaguars.

White said that finishing the nonleague portion of the season against Servite and Mater Dei would present his team with major challenges, but the Chargers responded with a 28-13 win over the Friars last week.

Edison dominated the first half Saturday, although it led only 15-10 at the half. Servite held the momentum in the second half, but it was Edison’s defense that secured the victory after the Friars had pulled to within 15-13.

Interceptions by Dominique Vinson and Hunter White were returned for touchdowns in the fourth quarter and helped Edison pull away. The Chargers had three interceptions overall — the other went to Mike Bogard — and now have 13 on the season.

Vinson and quarterback Nick Crissman hooked up on pass plays of 45 and 25 yards to account for both Chargers touchdowns on offense.

Edison’s offense is averaging nearly 37 points per game. The Chargers’ defense has allowed just one touchdown in the last two games and only four touchdowns this season. The stop unit will be tested by a Mater Dei offense that comes into the game averaging 27 points.

“Our defense turned the game around in the second half,” Dave White said. “It was a great game and we made some great plays when the outcome was on the line.

“Friday should be another great game, too. Mater Dei will be an even bigger challenge for our guys. We’re excited to be playing them again.”

Chargers-Monarchs Series

2005-Chargers 24, Monarchs 21

2004-Monarchs 20, Chargers 14

2003-Monarchs 6, Chargers 0

2002-Monarchs 35, Chargers 18

2001-Chargers 41, Monarchs 7

2001-Chargers 20, Monarchs 13

2000-Monarchs 42, Chargers 10

1989-Monarchs 21, Chargers 14

1988-Chargers 21, Monarchs 9

1987-Monarchs 20, Chargers 10

1986-Chargers 34, Monarchs 17

1983-Chargers 22, Monarchs 7

1982-Chargers 7, Monarchs 7

1981-Chargers 48, Monarchs 24

1980-Chargers 35, Monarchs 7

1979-Chargers 14, Monarchs 7

1978-Chargers 14, Monarchs 6

1977-Chargers 42, Monarchs 21

1976-Monarchs 28, Chargers 20

(Edison leads, 11-7-1)

In other games:

TONIGHT

Westminster (1-3) vs. Huntington Beach (4-0)

(at H.B.H.S., 7 p.m.)

Huntington Beach can earn its first 5-0 nonleague record in more than five years with a win tonight against visiting Westminster.

The Oilers, now ranked No. 4 in the Southwest Division poll, rolled to victory No. 4 last week, beating Long Beach Jordan on the road, 27-8.

Running back Stephen Gabbard rushed for three touchdowns and 249 yards, which sent the senior past the 1,000-yard rushing mark (1,183) in just four games. Huntington also got two field goals from Clayton Prestrige.

This is Huntington’s final nonleague game before it begins play for the first time in the Sea View League on Oct. 13 at Trabuco Hills.

Westminster’s only win in 2006 is a 28-6 decision over Marina two weeks ago. The Lions are coming off a 24-7 loss to La Habra. Westminster struck first in that game, scoring on 65-yard pass play from Ben Chapple to Adam Santana.

Santana has four touchdowns for the Lions, whose other key offensive threat is running back Charles Osgood. Osgood has a team-high five touchdowns this season. The team’s did not meet last year.

Ocean View (1-2) vs.

Bolsa Grande (1-2)

(at B.G.H.S., 7 p.m.)

Ocean View notched its first victory last week by scoring the game’s final 24 points in a 24-6 win over host Century.

Dana Maley threw for 154 yards and a pair of touchdown passes — one each to Kenny Tarpley and Chris Katsuki — and Charlie Pickle ran for two touchdowns for the Seahawks.

Bolsa Grande’s only win came at the expense of Segerstrom, 27-21, a school in its first year of varsity football. The Matadors lost, 17-8, to Costa Mesa last week, getting their lone touchdown on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Riley Wardle to Ruben Saigo. The teams did not meet last year.

FRIDAY

Marina (0-3) at Colton (1-2)

Marina is still looking for its first win against a Colton team that — despite its 1-2 record — is ranked seventh in the Central Division.

Marina came on strong late last week against Orange, but ended up with a 42-27 loss. Josh Martinez scored on a pair of runs and Justin Steen and Josh Jordan also rushed for a touchdown apiece for the Vikings.

Colton began the season by hammering Bloomington, 44-6, but has since dropped games to Redlands East Valley and La Quinta.

Quarterback Josh Pope, running back Dwayne Stallion and fullback Daniel Sorenson lead the Yellow Jackets on offense. The teams did not meet last year.