One and only one Catholic school will win a CIF-Southern Section football title in 2006. And based on their previous meeting, it should be a doozy.

That was assured when Verbum Dei (9-4) routed favored Duarte 48-8 and red-hot La Salle (8-5) stopped Bishop Diego 24-14 in last weekend's semifinal games. The championship game will be played Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. at Compton Centennial High School.

On Oct. 21, the Eagles and Lancers met in a Camino Real League game, with La Salle edging past, 37-36 in Pasadena. It was the Lancers' third of eight straight wins that have followed five season-opening losses, one of the most remarkable turnarounds in any season.

In that seesaw match, La Salle raced to an early 14-0 first quarter lead and a 24-14 halftime bulge, only for Verbum Dei to rally in the third quarter for a 30-24 lead. Then, in the final quarter, the teams traded touchdowns and the lead, with La Salle going ahead for good on Nathan Bury's third TD of the game, a one-yard run with 2:26 to play.

Bury finished with 203 yards on 26 carries, while David Baier rushed for 65, caught 3 passes for 78 more and scored twice. For Verbum Dei, Curtis Wilson ran for 119 yards, passed for 163 more and scored two TDs, while Sean Merritt rushed for 61 yards and two scores.

Ealar Gallagher-coached La Salle had slight edges that day in total yards and first downs, but none of that matters now as the Kenndric Knox-coached Eagles bring a six-game winning streak of their own into the title game, having not lost since the La Salle defeat. In their streak, Verbum Dei has outscored its opponents 297-42.

In other playoff action last weekend, Santa Margarita saw its season ended by Edison, 14-3, in the Division I semifinals. In Division III, Mission League rivals Chaminade and St. Paul each lost tough semifinal battles: Chaminade was beaten 26-19 by Dominguez of Compton, while St. Paul lost 26-11 to West of Torrance.