HS FOOT: What a great football slate today

It's a huge day in high school football, beginning in just a few hours with the eight-man championship this afternoon at 1 p.m. -- no one could have a picked a more compelling matchup than rivals Santa Clarita Christian and host Faith Baptist in the final -- and continuing with tonight's Southern Section semifinals.

Oh, the storylines:

-- Valencia has a perfect season going and plays host to Northern rival Moorpark, who happened to knock the Vikings out of last year's playoffs.

-- Palmdale is also in a rematch, playing at nemesis Mira Costa, the top seed and the same team that knocked off the Falcons last year (MC has 19 returning players). Palmdale is trying to reach a final for the first time in school history, just as Alemany succeeding in doing last night, and wouldn't it be fun if Palmdale upsets Mira Costa and sees Alemany next Friday in an All-Valley area final?

-- And, of course, Oaks Christian. The Lions play a tougher opponent that usual, host Cathedral of L.A., and looming in the final is a probable showdown against state power Serra of Gardena. Oaks, the top ranked team in the state on Cal Hi Sports, is going for a seventh consecutive section title. Running back Malcolm Jones, the Gatorade state player of the year, is a touchdown machine.

-- Gerry Gittelson