HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TODAY

Westlake vs. Thousand Oaks

Thousand Oaks High School 7:30 p.m.

Westlake won just two games last season, but one of them was a 30-12 victory over Thousand Oaks in the last regular-season game. Westlake (2-1) has already matched its win total of last season heading into the Marmonte League opener for both teams. Westlake suffered its first loss last Friday, dropping a 40-36 decision to Palos Verdes. In that game, quarterback Brad Gossen threw five touchdown passes. He has 10 for the season, a single-season school record. Thousand Oaks fell to 1-2 with a 21-0 loss to Canyon last Friday.

Kennedy vs. Taft

Taft High School 8 p.m.

Taft (2-0) has rolled up a hefty 61 points in two games, while allowing just eight. The Toreadors defeated El Camino Real, 20-0, last week, as Monty Gilbreath returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown. Gilbreath, one of the faster players in the Valley, is also one of the top receivers in the City. Taft is ranked No. 7 in the Valley by The Times. Kennedy was the No. 3 team until it lost to Washington, 8-0, last week. The Golden Cougars are now No. 6. Kennedy does have one of the top running backs in the Valley in Roman Carter. Carter has rushed for 197 yards on 27 carries in two games.

Van Nuys vs. Granada Hills

Granada Hills High School 8 p.m.

Van Nuys (1-1) lost to Montclair Prep, 19-7, last Saturday and now faces Granada Hills, the No. 2-ranked team in the Valley by The Times. The Highlanders are 2-0 following their 37-13 rout of Chatsworth. In that game, quarterback Brent Spurlin threw four touchdown passes, three to All-City receiver Greg Fowble. After two games, Granada Hills is the No. 1 offensive team among City teams in the Valley. The Highlanders are averaging 344 yards a game. Van Nuys went winless last season and scored just 15 points all year. Six of them came in a 22-6 loss to the Highlanders.

Alemany vs. Pius X

At Pius X 7:30 p.m.

Alemany, ranked No. 3 in this week’s Times Valley Top 10 Poll, is coming off a 27-17 victory over Hart last week. The Indians (3-0) will travel to Downey tonight to play a Pius X team that is off to its best start since 1981, when it recorded a 10-1 mark. The Warriors (3-0) are led by quarterback Eddie Nevarez and running back Charles Criner. Nevarez has passed for 418 yards and three touchdowns, while Criner has already rushed for six scores. Alemany will counter with senior quarterback Sean Casey and a trio of receivers. In his first three games, Casey has passed for 492 yards and three TDs. Receivers Travis Bargeman, Scoop Augustus and Jeff Barnhart each have more than 100 yards in catches. Running back Dennis Mason has rushed for four TDs. Alemany nose guard Dave Montes, who has eight quarterback sacks, is listed as doubtful for the game.

Burroughs vs. Glendale

At Glendale 7:30 p.m.

“Burroughs is a good football team,” said Glendale Coach John Brennan. “We’re excited to play them. I think we will be ready this week.” Last week Brennan’s team lost to San Marino, 28-7. “They kicked our butts last week, but we’ve had good practices this week. We want to keep the ball on the ground, but we’ll pass if we have to.” Brennan is concerned with Burroughs’ quarterback Jeff Barrett. “He’s a good passer and our secondary--they are all juniors, so they’ll be tested.” Burroughs Coach George Rosales said his team plans to run a balanced attack. “We can throw, but we want to be consistent with our running game.” Burroughs’ Barrett has completed over 60% of his passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Hart vs. Saugus

At College of the Canyons 7:30 p.m.

When asked about the Hart-Saugus game, Hart Coach Rick Scott said, “The way we’re going, I don’t know. Saugus is a good defensive team, but they’re having the same problems we are--getting the offense going. They’ve been in all of their games. We’re not walking in with the idea that we’ll have an easy time. We are both 0-3, so we both think we have an opportunity to win.” Saugus Coach Al Hansen agrees with Scott. “It will depend who can generate some offense. We have talent, but we are young. Our defense is the best we’ve had here.” Saugus will rely on running backs Scott Hutchings and Rodney Bradshaw. Hansen said Bradshaw is fast but inexperienced. Hutchings transferred to Saugus after moving from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Rio Mesa vs. Oxnard

At Rio Mesa 7:30 p.m.

Last week, Rio Mesa (2-0-1) scored 34 points against Santa Clara, a team which had shutout its previous two opponents. Rio Mesa was led by running back Leonard Lee who carried the ball 14 times for 103 yards. Quarterback Steve Carolan threw two touchdown passes and directed two fourth-quarter scoring drives. Also, Aaron Nordquist returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown in the game. Defensively, Rio Mesa Coach John Reardon said his team has not been tested so far this season. That should change Friday night in the Channel League opener for both schools. Oxnard (3-0) features two strong running backs in Artis Lambert and Wayne Jones. The Yellowjackets’ tandem has rolled up 562 yards rushing, including 9 touchdowns in three games. On defense, Oxnard has allowed only seven points this season. Oxnard Coach Jack Davis said Rio Mesa and Oxnard are two of the stronger teams in the Coastal Conference.

North Hollywood vs. Polytechnic

At Polytechnic High 8 p.m.

This game could be called the battle of the basement. Both North Hollywood and Poly have lost two games and haven’t looked good doing it. Last week, North Hollywood fell to Marshall, 14-6. Huskies quarterback Frank Schibella did complete five of eight passes for 91 yards and running back Pookie Conner rushed 10 times for 67 yards. But those statistics don’t produce victories in a league that has powerhouses such as Venice and Westchester. Poly played better than than the Huskies but also came up short. Donald Senegal completed 14 passes for 105 yards and one touchdown. He also ran 10 times for 98 yards, including a 70-yard TD run. Both teams have a steady defense but Poly looks like it has the edge on the offense.

In Other Games

Pac 8 League--University at Reseda, 8 p.m.; Grant at Westchester, 8 p.m.; Sylmar at Venice, 8 p.m.

Marmonte League--Newbury Park at Channel Islands, 7:30 p.m.

Nonleague--San Fernando at Crenshaw, 3 p.m.; Notre Dame at Canyon, 7:30 p.m.; Oak Park at Calabasas, 7:30 p.m.; Burbank at La Canada, 7:30 p.m.; Redondo at Camarillo, 7:30 p.m.; Bell-Jeff at La Puente, 7:30 p.m.; El Segundo at Moorpark, 7:30 p.m.; Chaminade at Monroe, 8 p.m.; Loyola vs. El Camino Real at Pierce College, 8 p.m.; Gardena at Cleveland, 8 p.m.; Verdugo Hills at Birmingham, 8 p.m.; Hamilton at Chatsworth, 8 p.m.; Canoga Park at Rowland, 8 p.m.