THIS WEEK’S TOP GAMES

A look at four high school football playoff semifinal games Friday:

Lake Balboa Birmingham (7-4) at Wilmington Banning (6-5), 7:30 p.m.

Both teams underachieved in nonleague games against Southern Section opponents but have reached peak form. Birmingham has won 32 consecutive games against City Section opponents. It all comes down to how many times the Patriots can get the ball to versatile Peyton Waters and rely on their defense. Banning’s offense has come alive behind a young-but-improving offensive line and quarterback Robert Guerrero, who has 15 touchdown passes. The pick: Birmingham.

Eagle Rock (10-1) at L.A. Garfield (9-2), 7:30 p.m.

Bulldog fans are still celebrating a win over rival Roosevelt at the Coliseum, but the real news is Garfield could be playing for a City Section Open Division championship next week. The Bulldogs’ rushing attack has improved. Eagle Rock showed last week in an upset of unbeaten San Pedro that it belongs in an evenly matched Open Division tournament. The Eagles play hard and enjoy being the underdog. The pick: Garfield.

Los Alamitos (9-2) vs. Santa Ana Mater Dei (11-0) at Santa Ana Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Quarterback Elijah Brown of Mater Dei is 28-0 as a starting quarterback. Will Mater Dei’s superior defense contain running back Damian Henderson, who has scored 23 touchdowns, and cover the talented Makai Lemon? The pick: Mater Dei.

Bellflower St. John Bosco (10-1) at Mission Viejo (10-1), 7 p.m.

If defense wins championships, St. John Bosco is very much alive. The Braves’ defense is second only to Mater Dei’s. Yes, Mission Viejo has an excellent offense with quarterback Kadin Semonza, but the line play separates St. John Bosco. Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson used to be the offensive coordinator at St. John Bosco. The pick: St. John Bosco.