Mira Costa and Serra in a South Bay Classic

When prep football heavyweights Mira Costa High and Serra step onto the field at El Camino College on Thursday night, they will not only be wearing championship belts, but also bring distinct styles to the contest as well.

"At our cores, these are two pretty similar teams that do not make a lot of mistakes; they execute their coaching philosophies well, though we go about our systems differently,'' Serra Coach Scott Altenberg said. ''We like to air it out a bit and Mira Costa likes to pound the ball and get after it physically.''

With those styles have come wins, and championships.

Serra (2-0) comes into the game with a 17-game winning streak that includes an undefeated Division III CIF State Championship.

The Mustangs (0-1) dropped their season-opener to Los Angeles Loyola, but come in as the defending CIF Western Division champions.

The game between defending CIF champions will be the first of a two-game series where both coaches bring in mutual respect and admiration, not to mention the excitement of giving their teams a stiff, local test in a non-league game.

"I have so much appreciation for Don [Morrow] and his guys, we see them all the time and for whatever reason we were not able to get a game scheduled for the longest time," Altenberg said.

Scheduling the contest was not easy, as both teams were in need of a home game to give them an all important five home games to bring both extra revenue and balance to their respective schedules.

A compromise between the programs was reached and the game will take place on a neutral field at El Camino College.

"The location is great for both of us and the kids are exposed to a unique feel with the neutral location early in the season.  Both teams like to schedule the most competitive teams and it's great since it's two local South Bay area teams," Morrow said.

"Playing at a neutral spot is great for us, the stadium is awesome and we are going to be ready to play a talented team and measure ourselves against them, this will be a new experience for a lot of guys," Mira Costa outside linebacker Geoff LaPointe said.

The Mira Costa defense will be tested by Serra's offense that is averaging 35.5 points and over 400 yards. Quarterback Conner Preston has made a non-binding oral commitment to Southern Methodist and is receiving great preparation for Coach June Jones' pass happy run-and-shoot offense, as he is well versed in the shotgun and quick passing attack.

"Our young guys got some experienced from the Loyola game, so we should be more prepared mentally for this,'' Mira Costa nose guard J.R. Tavai said. '' It's a special game, they [Serra] see it as a big game and we have the opportunity to make it special for us if we stick to our plan.''

Serra has experience not only playing in big postseason games, but had their home opener at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame televised. Combine that with several competitive preseason scrimmages, including one against perennial powerhouse Anaheim Servite, and the Cavaliers will be anything but intimidated by the upcoming matchup of 2009 champions.

"Our season finishes have really mirrored what Mira Costa has done the past few season,'' Altenberg said. ''We would go to the finals then the semifinals and the finals again and so would they. We are going to lineup against a team that expects to win and teams like that usually find that mindset for good reason and we are in for a great game.''

While this highly anticipated matchup will be the first time Mira Costa has played a team that won a state championship, they have experienced playing teams with postseason credentials such as Loyola in 2006 and Peninsula in the late 90s.

"We want to play the best possible opponent, it's the best measuring stick for our players and we get the most out of tough challenges," Morrow said.

Both Morrow and Altenberg do not shy away from scheduling top-notch competition and are looking forward to the potential of renewing this game that is rife with potential rivalry implications.

"It's funny the neutrality element was really out of necessity, but it brings a playoff type of atmosphere in that both teams can wear their home jerseys, it would be great if it can become a type of South Bay Classic," Altenberg said.