Football: JSerra takes on St. Bonaventure in top 25 matchup

With so many good teams in the Pac-5 Division this season, every victory in a nonleague game could be critical come time to deciding the two at-large playoff berths.

That makes Friday’s nonleague game between No. 12 St. Bonaventure (2-1) and No. 11 JSerra (3-0) at Saddleback College very important.

JSerra has been routing foes. Edward Vander, a junior running back who transferred from Paramount, scored five touchdowns last week in a 63-17 win over Huntington Beach. The Lions must find a way to be one of the top four teams in the Trinity League. Last season, they lost out on an at-large berth to Crespi. A win on Friday should enable JSerra to go 5-0 in nonleague games before a showdown Trinity League opener against Santa Margarita.

St. Bonaventure, under first-year Coach Adam Guerra, lost to Helix in its opener when the Seraphs couldn’t get into the end zone on a final drive. USC-bound quarterback Ricky Town has been accurate. The Seraphs are facing tough games ahead in the Marmonte League against Westlake and Oaks Christian. To even be considered for an at-large berth down the road, a win Friday is a must.

“We have to stop their running game,” Guerra said.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer