Games today unless noted
The big game
Coronado (5-3, 2-1 Central) at Madison (5-3, 3-0), 7
A week ago, this figured to be a battle of Central League unbeatens. After losing to Crawford, Coronado can still determine its own fate, but it's going to be a little tougher. Junior QB Stephen Conrad went down early against Crawford and all-everything Ricardo Oberwager was also nicked up with predictable results. Madison seems to be getting stronger behind the explosiveness of senior RBs Kyron Blow and Aaron Shelby, who each had more than 100 yards rushing against Clairemont last week. The Warhawks struggled early but have won four straight and are looking for a top-four seed in the Division IV playoffs.
City spotlight
Cathedral Catholic (4-4, 2-1 Eastern) at Scripps Ranch (6-2, 2-1), 7: Both teams hope Mira Mesa is upset. Short of that, each is looking to finish strong. Cathedral holds a 9-1 series edge. (Web: KBCsports.com)
St. Augustine (5-3, 2-1 Eastern) at Morse (0-8, 0-3), 2:30: The last time the Saints played at Morse they lost. With Leitch James finding his stride, it doesn't figure to happen again. (Web: KBCsports.com)
Henry (2-6, 0-3 Eastern) at Mira Mesa (4-4, 3-0), 7: Look out, the high-scoring Marauders are building momentum after a tough early schedule. Henry must win out to be considered a Division II factor.
Serra (1-7, 1-3 Western) at No. 9 Hoover (6-2, 2-1), 7: Second straight week Hoover is playing under the lights only this time the Cardinals are home and looking to rebound from a loss to Point Loma.
No. 8 Point Loma (7-1, 3-0 Western) at San Diego (2-7, 1-3), 7: Even backup RBs Edgar Herrera and Drew Callejon had big games last week in the high-powered Pointers attack. Cavers want to finish strong.
Kearny (0-8, 0-3 Central) at Crawford (2-5, 1-2), 2:30: Huge win over Coronado last week keeps the Colts' faint Division IV playoff hopes alive. The Komets' opportunities for wins are dwindling away.
University City (4-4, 2-1 Central) vs. Clairemont (3-5, 1-2) at Serra, 7: RB James Simon has stepped up for Centurions, who are close to a playoff berth. It'd be their first postseason appearance since 1997.
Army-Navy (4-4, 0-3 Coastal) vs. Horizon (2-6, 1-2) at Henry, 7: The Spencer Danielson-led Panthers, who played tough against Santa Fe Christian, are looking to finish strong and play an extra game.
Christian (6-2, 2-1 Coastal) at Parker (5-3, 1-2), 7: Two offensive-minded teams square off in what should be a shootout. Parker running back Gino Gordon is looking to surpass 1,000 yards rushing.
Bishop's (6-2, 2-1 Coastal) at Santa Fe Christian (6-2, 3-0), tomorrow, 2: Knights can throw league into three-way tie. Throw is the key word as QB Tommy Wornham is among the section leaders.
Player profile
Demetrius Barksdale, University City
On the field: The 6-foot-3, 190-pound wideout/defensive end is the No. 2 receiver for the Centurions with 222 yards on 11 grabs, including one for a TD. He was All-Central League as a defensive end. Barksdale runs the 40 in 4.8. He carries a 3.3 cumulative GPA, plays basketball in the winter and runs track in the spring. The 17-year-old senior is being recruited by UC Davis.
In class: “I like math because I'm good at it. It gets harder as you progress and I like the challenge. I've had math questions I couldn't answer, but when I can't figure it out, the teachers are good at helping.”
Outside class: “I just hang out with my friends. I have to be doing something to keep me going. I'm that way all day long. Sometimes if I go to my dad's house, I watch after my brothers and cousins.”
Biggest sports moment: “It was two years ago, my first year of high school football. Against Santana, I forced a fumble and then picked it up and scored on it. I also got an interception and seven or nine tackles.”
His secret weapon: “A lot of times (the opponents) underestimate me because of my size, but I use quickness to beat them to the punch.”
– STEVE BRAND
Rest of the schedule
TODAY
Avocado League
Fallbrook at El Camino, 7:30
Vista at No. 4 Oceanside, 7:30 (Web: hitekradio.com)
Palomar League
No. 6 La Costa Canyon at Rancho Bernardo, 7:30
Mt. Carmel at Poway, 7:30 (Web: KBCsports.com)
No. 1 Torrey Pines at Westview, 7:30
Valley League
No. 10 Escondido at No. 7 Mission Hills, 7:30
(Web: xxsportsradio.com)
Ramona at Orange Glen, 7:30
San Pasqual at Valley Center, 7:30
Grossmont North League
El Cajon Valley at No. 3 El Capitan, 7
Grossmont at Santana, 7
Grossmont South League
Mount Miguel at Granite Hills, 7
Valhalla at No. 5 Helix, 7
Monte Vista at Steele Canyon, 7
Mesa League
Chula Vista vs. Bonita Vista at Southwestern College, 7
Eastlake at Sweetwater, 7 (Web: KBCsports.com)
Otay Ranch at San Ysidro, 7
South Bay League
Hilltop at Castle Park, 7 (Web: KBCsports.com)
Marian Catholic at Montgomery, 7
Mar Vista at SD Southwest, 7
Imperial Valley League
Calexico at Palo Verde, 7
EC Southwest at Brawley, 7
Mountain Desert League
Vincent Memorial at Holtville, 7 (Web: KBCsports.com)
Imperial at Mountain Empire, 7
Pacific League
Tri-City Christian at Julian, 3:30
Calipatria at La Jolla Country Day, 7
H-Town vs. Foothills Christian at Valhalla, 7
Nonleague
All Tribes at Escondido Charter, 4
Online extra
For more coverage of high school sports, visit SignOnSanDiego, the Union-Tribune's Web site: sports.uniontrib.com/highschool
Football rankings, standings, statistical leaders, results/schedules.
