Bell High School is apparently serious about joining the usual contenders for the Eastern League crown.

The likes of Jordan, Garfield and Roosevelt have ruled the top half of the standings in recent years and all three actually shared the title last season.

On the other hand, Bell was 4-6 overall, 1-5 in league and was a non-qualifier when it came to the City Section playoffs.

This year, the Eagles find themselves 5-0 and more importantly, 2-0 in league. A 13-7 victory over Garfield in their last outing gives them even more momentum heading into Friday’s 7 p.m. game against visiting South East (2-3, 1-0), a 35-13 winner over Huntington Park in its league opener.

“This is the best corps of receivers they’ve had and their quarterback (Adrian Lopez) is a very poised, confident kid,” Garfield coach Lorenzo Hernandez said of Bell.

Lopez has been giving Bell excellent play in the early going.

He was 7 of 15 for 106 yards, including a 16-yard scoring pass to Dale Estrada against Garfield.

David Franco returned an interception 50 yards for a score in the second period when the Eagles were getting all their points. Franco had two interceptions and was in on eight tackles, six of them solo.

Robert Soliz was also busy on defense with six solos and five assists.

Garfield (2-4, 0-2), which hosts Huntington Park (2-4, 0-2) Friday, scored in the fourth period on a nine-yard run by Jonathan Lopez (12 carries for 62 yards).

Julio Silva was the most productive Bulldog back with his 163 yards on 26 carries, which helped them rush for 240 yards.

But turnovers hurt Garfield. Leonardo Vaal, seeing his first action at quarterback, threw two interceptions and the Bulldogs also lost a fumble.

Vaal, in his first year of playing organized football, was 9 of 14 for 75 yards.

Hernandez plans to stick with his new signal caller.

“We were becoming too one-dimensional,” Hernandez said. “Hopefully, this change will be good.”

Linebacker Moses Saucedo was solid on defense for Garfield with seven solo tackles, four assists and two sacks. Jonathan Valles had four solos and five assists.

Although the rash of mistakes again proved costly, Hernandez is not down on his team.

“I feel good about this group because it hasn’t given up,” he said. 

South East received 139 yards rushing on 12 carries from Robert Lewis, two touchdown runs from Christopher Ochoa and single scoring runs from Manuel Marquez and Malcolm Smith in the win over H.P.

The Jaguar defense was paced by Jason Avendano, who had seven solo tackles and two assists, and Rolando Sandoval, who had six solos, two assists and a 36-yard interception return. Christian Quinines also had an interception.