Los Angeles Garfield Coach Lorenzo Hernandez has been telling his players all week they need to play well against Huntington Park on Friday night to then have an opportunity to get excited about playing rival Los Angeles Roosevelt.

"This is the calm before the big, gigantic storm," Hernandez said. "This is an important game."

Garfield (3-5, 2-1) is trying to finish in second place in the Eastern League. The Bulldogs are starting to make progress on offense behind running back Lance Fernandez and quarterback Nicky Peralta.

Roosevelt has a bye this week. After Friday's game, then all the distractions begin in preparation for next Friday's East Los Angeles Classic at East Los Angeles College.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Source: LATimes.com