A vortex of hype has swirled around the game for nearly a year — now it’s time to take the field.

Skyline (2-0), ranked No. 9 in the nation in the latest ESPN RISE FAB 50 poll, will host No. 6 Oaks Christian (2-0) from Westlake Village, Calif., at 7 p.m., Friday in front of a sold-out crowd at Spartan Stadium.

“(ESPN) approached us about playing this small school in Southern California that had Nick Montana …,” Skyline head coach Mat Taylor said. “After last season, I researched a little more, and it may be a small school by population, but not by stature or by the athletes they have.”

So, just who is Oaks Christian?

Along with University of Washington-bound quarterback Nick Montana, son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, the Lions have five other senior Division I recruits.

That list includes offensive lineman Erik Kohler (Washington), defensive lineman Alani Fua (BYU), linebacker Zac Stout (BYU), running back Malcolm Jones (uncommitted), and defensive lineman Cassius Marsh (uncommitted).

The Lions provide a dual offensive threat. Montana threw for 2,402 yards and 34 touchdowns last season, and Jones had 141 carries for 1,600 yards and 26 touchdowns.

The school has also earned the reputation of being “Hollywood High” due to three high-profile celebrities, who have sons on the team. There is actor Will Smith, who will be in attendance, hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, and of course Montana, who coaches on the team.

Oaks Christian is riding a 23-game win streak, having not lost since October 2007. Skyline has won 30 straight games, and two consecutive Washington state titles. The difference for the Lions is they haven’t been invited to a California Interscholastic Federation state championship game since winning a state title in 2006.

Oaks Christian head coach Bill Redell said his team wasn’t picked by the CIF because they were deemed to have not played a difficult enough schedule. He noted this is the first time in the football program’s 10-year history they have traveled out of state for a game.

“It’s very significant as far as us getting to state,” Redell said via phone, from Southern California. “If you get beat it’s not over, but it certainly helps to win.”

Redell, whose team has a 110-11-1 record since the program started in 2000 — and once had a 48-game win streak — said he is impressed by everything he’s seen on Skyline.

“I’ve just seen them on film, but it looks like they’re an outstanding football team,” he said, praising the Spartans as one of the toughest opponents Oaks Christian has ever faced. He said St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.) and Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, Calif.) are the only two schools that compare.

Skyline, of course, has plenty of Division I talent of its own led by senior quarterback Jake Heaps (BYU). Heaps threw for 2,910 yards and 38 TDs as a junior, and ran for seven more. Junior wide receiver Kasen Williams is one of the most sought after players around the nation for the class of 2011, while senior lineman Jase Butorac, senior tight end Cooper Pelluer and junior wide receiver Michael Ford have also drawn heavy Division I interest.

Friday’s game kicks off at 7 p.m. There were 4,400 general admission tickets sold for the event, which sold out within a week of going up for purchase. For those unable to attend the game, it can be heard live on KJR 950 AM, or seen live on ESPNU, currently available to Seattle-area DirecTV customers with sports packages. Comcast is beginning to provide ESPNU in various locations around the Puget Sound, but has the station listed as “coming soon” to Issaquah and Sammamish.

Quick hits:

*Gates open at 5:30

*It’s a “white out” All Skyline fans are encouraged to wear white

*No outside food or beverages are allowed in the stadium

*No signs or artificial noise makers are allowed in the stadium

*Kids grades 8 and below need to be supervised by an adult for the duration of the game

*Parking is limited: The school recommends carpooling and looking for alternative parking options on 228th.

*No equipment allowed in the stadium (balls, skateboards, etc.)

*Concessions and Spartan Spirit Wear will be available inside the stadium

*Tickets don’t guarantee you a seat