FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Santa Fe Christian (2-2) at Bishop Diego (4-0), 7:30 p.m. at SBCC: The last time we left the Cardinals they were ranked No. 1 in the CIF-SS Northwest Division and averaging 51 points a game. After a bye, they dropped to No. 2 in the poll behind Tri-Valley League rival Nordhoff. Santa Fe Christian figures to be their toughest opponent of the pre-league. The Eagles, from Solana Beach, were a San Diego Section Division 5 finalist last year. Their two defeats this year have come against bigger schools: Capo Valley and Westview of San Diego. They like to run the ball behind a big offensive line. Tony Miro (56 carries, 357 yards, 6 TDs) leads the rushing attack. The pick: Bishop Diego

Nordhoff (5-0) at San Marcos (1-4), 7 p.m. The Royals return home after back-to-back Friday nights in south Oxnard and play arguably the hottest team from Ventura County. Nordhoff, ranked No. 1 in the CIF Northwest Division, is coming off a win against Thousand Oaks of the Marmonte League. The Rangers have a balanced attack: quarterback Tanner Workman has thrown for 11 touchdowns and Taylor Livingston has rushed for nine. Their defense has allowed 480 yards in five games. For San Marcos, this game will be good preparation for Channel League play, which starts next week. The pick: Nordhoff

Fillmore (4-1) at Carpinteria (3-2), 7:30 p.m.: This is one of the oldest rivalries in the tri-counties. Carpinteria is riding a three-game winning streak and playing well. The warriors are coming off a game against Santa Clara in which they recorded 10 sacks. Their defense will have its hands full trying contain the deceptive wing-T attack of Fillmore. The Flashes are averaging 318 yards rushing. Bruising running back Collin Farrar leads the attack with 654 yards on 100 carries with nine touchdowns. Adam Jimenez is a big-play back. He has 265 yards on 24 carries. The pick: Carpinteria

Santa Barbara (4-1) at Pacifica (1-3), 7 p.m.: This game has the makings of a shootout. The Dons are riding high after their exciting comeback win over Bakersfield-Centennial and they’d like to keep that momentum going into Channel League play next week. Their defense will be busy trying to contain Pacifica’s fleet-footed quarterback Nick Davis, who is averaging 110 yards a game. The pick: Santa Barbara

Dos Pueblos (4-1) at San Juan Hills (5-0), 7 p.m.: Of all the weekends to be heading south, this is not the one to do it. Carmaggedon 2, a 10-mile closure of the 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass, begins Friday night, and the Chargers are traveling to San Juan Capistrano to play a hot football team. The Stallions like to throw the ball; quarterback Jacob Gibson has passed for 997 yards and nine touchdowns and wide receiver Kyle Mucerino has caught 29 passes for 571 yards and scored four TDs. Dos Pueblos’ defense has been solid all season, and the offense showed last week against Rio Mesa that it’s starting to click. The pick: Dos Pueblos