Big Games : Bishop Amat vs. St. Francis

This was billed as one of the best Bishop Amat High football teams in recent years, and after three games the Lancers are not disappointing anyone. They have looked like a CIF powerhouse in easy victories over Rubidoux (31-0), Los Altos (33-6) and L.A. Jordan (47-0). Their fourth opponent, St. Francis, may be a little more difficult. The non-league game is at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bishop Amat. Never mind that St. Francis has a 1-2 record after losing to La Canada (16-15) last week. The Knights always seem to play well against Bishop Amat, as last year’s narrow Bishop Amat victory (20-13) proves. Bishop Amat has relied on the rushing of speedy 5-9 junior tailback Eric Bieniemy for most of its yardage. Bieniemy has rushed for 627 yards and 8 touchdowns. Quarterback Rick Carter has passed for 385 yards and 4 touchdowns. St. Francis, which also has a run-oriented offense, is led by running back Brian Miller.

Muir vs. North Torrance

It figures to be a classic match-up of speed versus size when these traditional CIF powers meet in a non-league game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at North Torrance. Muir (3-0) has blazing speed and North Torrance (1-2) is loaded with big linemen. One of the fastest--and best--players for Muir is junior tailback Ricky Ervins, who has 9.8-second speed in the 100-yard dash and ran for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns in his team’s 46-0 rout of Morningside last week. Two other standouts for Muir are quarterback James Dunn and wide receiver Cary Grant. The Muir defense, which has allowed only 8 points in three games, is led by defensive back John Hardy. North Torrance, which has lost two games by a total of 5 points, has a strong defense that has allowed only 21 points. The offense, sharp in a 26-2 win over West Torrance last week, has a huge line that includes Jim Tulette (6-2, 250), John Streetmaker (5-10, 310) and Todd Sprosky (6-3, 260). Other standouts are 6-4 quarterback Mike Jurado and running back Hector Murillo.

Rowland vs. Canoga Park

It will be L.A. City versus CIF and San Fernando Valley versus San Gabriel Valley when these teams meet for the first time in a non-league game at 8 p.m. Friday at Nogales High. Both are off to excellent starts. Rowland is 3-0 and Canoga Park is 2-0. Both have outstanding rushing. Rowland, which beat a good San Gorgonio team (15-7) last week, has a strong one-two rushing punch in Tom Choi and Russ Goo, who combine to average about 150 yards a game, and a solid leader in quarterback Dave Hansen. The Raiders also play well on defense, especially at linebacker with Ryan McReynolds (6-7, 245) and Mike Villagran. Canoga Park, ranked No. 8 in the Times L.A. City Top 10, has a speedster in tailback Kenny Durr, who has scored five touchdowns in two games. Durr rushed for 91 yards and caught 3 passes for 79 yards in Canoga Park’s 23-20 win over Cleveland last week. The Hunters also are led by wide receiver Mike Conover and defensive back Junior Delgado, who has four interceptions.

Charter Oak vs. Baldwin Park

It has been a long time since Baldwin Park has lost three games in a row, but the Braves will go into their Montview League opener against high-powered Charter Oak at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Baldwin Park with that possibility. The Braves, who lost only six games this decade going into this season, are 0-2 and Charter Oak is 3-0. Charter Oak, which combined with cross-town rival Royal Oak in the off-season, has posted one-sided victories. The Chargers have crushed Montclair (35-0), Covina (58-6) and Glendora (60-0) in non-league play to emerge as the league title favorite. They have been sparked by 6-2, 230-pound running back Jeff Obert and quarterback John Strycula. Baldwin Park, which reached the CIF Southeastern Conference final last year, has struggled in losses to Covina teams Northview (21-19) and South Hills (14-0). The Braves are led by running back Chris Torres and quarterback Rico Salcido.

South Hills vs. West Covina

Two longtime rivals that are off to outstanding starts meet in a non-league game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Covina District Stadium. South Hills is 2-0-1 and West Covina is 2-0. After tying Walnut (6-6) in its opener, South Hills has registered shutouts over Chino (38-0) and Baldwin Park (14-0). South Hills’ option attack features quarterback Matt Kranz and running backs Bobby Owens and Jim Mire. The Huskies will be tested by West Covina’s balanced offense, which includes running back Leland Adams, wide receiver Mike Culwell and quarterback Vince Aguilar. Culwell had eight receptions for 130 yards and Adams rushed for 103 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-12 Spartan victory over Redlands last week. West Covina also has a big offensive line led by giant Joe Chadbourne (6-9, 260).

San Gabriel Valley’s Top Ten Prep Teams

Rank, School, League Record Opponent 1 Bishop Amat (Angelus) 3-0-0 St. Francis 2 Claremont (Baseline) 3-0-0 Glendora 3 Muir (Pacific) 3-0-0 N. Torrance 4 Diamond Bar (Hacienda) 3-0-0 Montclair 5 Rowland (Sierra) 3-0-0 Canoga Park 6 Los Altos (Sierra) 2-1-0 La Mirada 7 West Covina (Sierra) 2-0-0 S. Hills 8 Charter Oak (Montview) 3-0-0 Baldwin Park 9 Pomona (Baseline) 3-0-0 Alta Loma 10 Temple City (Rio Hondo) 1-1-0 Rosemead

OTHERS: Arroyo (3-0-0), Pasadena (1-2-0), San Dimas (2-0-0), South Hills (2-0-1).