With four shutouts in the past five games, Eagle Rock (9-0) is on a roll heading into Friday’s Northern League finale at 7 p.m. against visiting L.A. Wilson (7-2).

“We’re having a really good year,” Eagle Rock coach Greg Pierce said. “The kids have worked extremely hard, and the work has paid off.”

Vince Loera has passed for 2,534 yards and 26 touchdowns, and sophomore Michael Sorocco has rushed for 1,384 yards and 19 touchdowns.

The key to Eagle Rock’s success is defense. The team has allowed just 5.5 points per game and won by an average of margin of more than 33 points.

Paul Gandara, a returning All-City Section cornerback, has seven interceptions and 22 in his career.

“He’s a good lockdown corner and kind of the leader on defense,” Pierce said.

Another key performer is 6-foot-1 defensive end Jesus Cardenas, who has 19 sacks.

Eagle Rock and San Fernando (9-0) are the only undefeated programs in City Division II, with Sylmar (5-4) and Granada Hills (5-4) both winning four in a row and also hoping to be in the postseason mix.

“As far as San Fernando is concerned, we’re not looking that far ahead, just Wilson this week,” Pierce said. “We take it one week at time, but there are some great teams in Division II.”

Pierce, a former three-year assistant at Crescenta Valley, has been at Eagle Rock five seasons, including the past two with offensive coordinator Andy Moran, a former head coach at Marshall.

“I got lucky last year because Andy was a great hire,” Pierce said. “He does the offense and I do the defense. Everyone on the staff, we all help each other out. It’s a joint effort.”

Camarillo readies for Rio Mesa

A crowd of more than 5,000 is expected Friday at Camarillo (8-1, 4-0 Pacific View) for the regular-season finale against Rio Mesa (1-8, 1-3). The host Scorpions look to extend a seven-game winning streak under first-year coach Jack Willard.

“Though Rio Mesa’s record isn’t very good, it’s still a big rivalry,” Willard said. “Whatever Rio Mesa has left, we’re going to get all of it. It should be a good crowd. For Rio Mesa, we usually sell the place up pretty well.”

Willard, best known for his successful tenure with Camarillo’s softball program, joined the football staff last year as defensive coordinator, then took the head job when Dennis Riedmiller retired.

For years, the Scorpions have been running a hurry-up passing offense that has become increasingly popular with other programs, and Willard loves it.

“We’re similar because Tony Pinedo is still the offensive coordinator, and he’s been here for several years,” Willard said. “I like the no-huddle concept. I never intended to change it.”

What the head coach did not expect was an early season-ending knee injury to quarterback Jake Constantine. But Geron Rogers has stepped up and thrown for 1,529 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“Those two were in a quarterback competition to begin with, and Jake had won the job, but Geron is a capable guy, too,” Willard said. “Geron is a smart kid, he’s accurate and he understands the things we’re doing. More importantly, he’s a great teammate who fits in well.”

The situation could have been touchy because Constantine is a sophomore and Rogers a junior, but there was no drama, Willard said.

“Geron could have transferred or did something like that, but he’s a quality kid,” Willard said. “He never wavered, never missed a practice. He was there for his teammates, and when the opportunity came, even though it was because of an injury, he was prepared and stepped in. He has done a great job for us.”

Linebacker Rory MacNeill, a returning All-Western Division selection, has 81 tackles and defensive lineman Justin Fontanille is a converted linebacker.

“It was tough for Fontanille to change positions in the middle of the year, but we needed some help,” Willard said. “His athleticism, quickness and strength have really helped us up front.”

Crespi, Alemany look to extend seasons

After winning just three of its first eight games, including three losses by 26 points or more, Crespi (4-5, 2-1) can win a share of the Serra League championship Friday with a upset at Alemany (7-2, 2-1), which can go from first to as low as fourth in what figures to be a compelling finale.

A loss for either team probably will cost a playoff berth. Alemany has made the playoffs six years in a row, with Crespi missing the playoffs four times over the past five years.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure. They’re all important games, and we treat them all the same,” Crespi coach Troy Thomas said.

“Alemany and ourselves, we’re kind of in the same situation, so I think our guys are excited to play because they’ve worked so hard for this opportunity.”