Football: QB duel highlights Crespi-Taft matchup

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Two of the top quarterbacks in the San Fernando Valley will go head-to-head about 20 minutes from now when Woodland Hills Taft takes on Encino Crespi in an intersectional matchup at Crespi High.

The busiest person in the stadium tonight might be the scoreboard operator, as both teams boast potent passing attacks with quick-strike capability. Crespi, ranked No. 23 in the Southland by The Times, has won four in a row since losing its opener to Compton Dominguez. Taft (2-2) also comes into the game with momentum after an impressive 37-26 victory over Saugus.

Both teams feature quarterbacks who have set school single-game passing records this season.

The host Celts have Kenny Stenhouse, who has completed 74.6 percent of his passes for 1,366 yards with 14 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He has broken the school yardage mark two times--throwing for 424 against Clovis West, then bettering that last week with 486 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-31 upset at Vista Murrieta, then ranked No. 8 by The Times. Receiver Devin Lucien has 31 receptions for 591 yards and nine touchdowns.

Taft’s Michael Bercovici has connected on 56.2 percent of his pass attempts for 1,099 yards and eight touchdowns. He set the Toreadors’ single-game record September 16 with 474 yards in a 38-35 victory over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. Bercovici’s primary target is wideout Michael Thomas, who has 35 catches for 576 yards and six touchdowns.

Check back for live blogging throughout the game.

-- Steve Galluzzo