BIG GAMES : Bishop Amat vs. Los Altos

If there was any question how quickly Bishop Amat High’s football team would adjust to new Coach Don Markham’s offensive system, it was eliminated quickly in an easy 31-0 victory over highly regarded Rubidoux last week. Things figure to get much tougher for the Lancers when they play host to Los Altos at 7:30 p.m. Friday in La Puente. The two San Gabriel Valley powers met for the first time in recent years in 1984 and Bishop Amat won, 14-0, in a defensive struggle. The rematch could be similar. Bishop Amat’s powerful defense held Rubidoux to only three first downs. The Lancer offense is led by junior running back Eric Bieniemy, who rushed for 197 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries against Rubidoux, and quarterback Rick Carter, who passed for 108 yards and a touchdown. Los Altos (1-0) played outstanding defense in its 6-0 win over La Serna, which crossed the 50-yard line only once. The Los Altos offense, which struggled last week, is led by quarterback Mark Smith.

Claremont vs. Ganesha

Claremont didn’t receive much challenge in a 28-0 win over Burbank in its season opener last week, but the Wolfpack can expect a much stronger test against Ganesha of Pomona at 7 tonight at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. “They’re a fine team,” Claremont Coach Bob Baiz said of Ganesha. “They’ve got size and speed and it’s a good local match-up.” Ganesha (1-0), which gained a last-second victory over Duarte (22-16) last week, has a big, fast defense with nose guard David Foster (6-1, 205) and tackle Antonio Johnson (6-4, 255). The Giants also have a potent rush led by fullback Terrell Thompson and halfback Donald English. Claremont is more passing-oriented with its outstanding combination of 6-0 All-America quarterback Dan McGwire and wide receiver Travis Watkins, who caught seven passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score last week. The Wolfpack is strong on defense with seven shutouts in 15 games.

Pasadena vs. St. Francis

After a surprisingly easy victory over Damien, Pasadena steps up in class to face a perennial CIF Big 5 Conference playoff team when it visits St. Francis of La Canada at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Pasadena won last year, 21-7. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Bulldogs, but that’s hard to believe after last week’s 14-0 triumph over Damien. Pasadena (1-0) has only two starters from last year’s 11-2 team but looked strong on defense, limiting Damien to 109 total yards. The Pasadena offense was not particularly sharp with only 134 total yards, but the run-oriented Bulldogs showed a surprisingly strong passing attack led by quarterback Ray Murphy, who threw for two touchdowns. St. Francis, which lost its season opener to San Gorgonio (26-7), features the run and is led by back Brian Miller, who rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown last week.

Charter Oak vs. Covina

Covina Coach Rick Brown couldn’t have chosen a much more difficult opponent for the season opener at 7:30 tonight at Covina District Stadium. Charter Oak, coached by Lou Farrar, served notice it will be one of the San Gabriel Valley powers with a 35-0 victory over Montclair in its opener last week. Not that Covina is weak. With 13 starters from last year’s 6-5 squad, including defensive standouts Bob Maybury at end and middle guard Julio Reyes and back Ken Garcia, the Colts should pose problems for Charter Oak. Covina is led on offense by tight end Paul Riddle and fullback Dan Bess. Most of Charter Oak’s firepower comes from 6-2, 230-pound fullback Jeff Obert and halfbacks Mike and Mark Smith, twins with speed. Charter Oak also is strong on defense, especially at linebacker with Joe Szczepanski and Carlos Rodriguez.

San Gabriel Valley’s

Top Ten Prep Teams

Rank, School, League Record Opponent 1 Bishop Amat (Angelus) 1-0-0 Los Altos 2 Claremont (Baseline) 1-0-0 Ganesha 3 Los Altos (Sierra) 1-0-0 Bishop Amat 4 Muir (Pacific) 1-0-0 Centennial 5 Diamond Bar (Hacienda) 1-0-0 La Serna 6 Rowland (Sierra) 1-0-0 Upland 7 West Covina (Sierra) 0-0-0 Glendora 8 Pasadena (Pacific) 1-0-0 St. Francis 9 Temple City (Rio Hondo) 0-0-0 San Gabriel 10 Ganesha (Hacienda) 1-0-0 Claremont

OTHERS: Charter Oak (1-0-0), Damien (0-1-0), Duarte (0-1-0), Pomona (1-0-0).