Nov. 12--Friday's top high school football games:
Westlake Village Westlake (7-3) at Gardena Serra (8-2), 7 p.m.
Quarterback Khalil Tate of No. 4-seeded Serra is the player to watch in this Pac-5 Division playoff opener. He's had an MVP-like season with 1,658 yards passing and 13 touchdowns and 1,599 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns. Westlake gets back receiver Theo Howard (concussion). If the Warriors can tackle Tate, an upset is possible.
The pick: Serra.
Palisades (6-4) at Lake Balboa Birmingham (7-3), 7 p.m.
Who's going to play Harbor City Narbonne in the City Section Division I final? Birmingham hopes it will get the chance, and getting past the Western League co-champion Dolphins is the first step. Running back Sterling Salguero rushed for 1,789 yards in leading Birmingham to the West Valley League title. Palisades quarterback P.J. Hurst has passed for 1,848 yards and 19 touchdowns.
The pick: Birmingham.
