HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TODAY

Crespi vs. Canyon

At Birmingham High 7:30 p.m.

Last week, after watching Crespi (4-0) struggle past St. Genevieve, 7-0, Canyon Coach Harry Welch stopped short of saying the Celts had this week’s game with the Cowboys on their minds. “Let’s say,” he said, “we’ll see a different Crespi team next week.” Welch’s team will attempt to extend its win streak to 29 games. The Cowboys (4-0) got by Notre Dame last week, 21-14. Quarterback John Watkins and running back Lance Cross lead the Cowboys’ offensive attack. Defensively, Canyon is led by linebacker Randy Austin. The Celts, meanwhile, remained unbeaten last week by scoring on St. Genevieve in the closing minutes. Quarterback Randy Redell completed 11 of 19 passes for 97 yards, including the game-winning touchdown pass. Last year, Canyon beat Crespi, 46-0.

Moorpark vs. Agoura

At Agoura High 7:30 p.m.

Moorpark last week suffered its first loss of the season, 28-27, when El Segundo scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion with just over a minute remaining in the game. The Musketeers, who were ranked second in the Desert-Mountain Conferencelast week, dropped to eighth. Moorpark’s Oscar Love is the Valley’s leading rusher with 343 yards on 76 carries and 6 touchdowns. Agoura, the defending Desert-Mountain Conference champion, are 2-2 after a 27-13 loss to Harvard Saturday in 101-degree heat. The Chargers, who were ranked third in the conference before playing Harvard, fell to ninth. Tailback Brock Hoffman is the Valley’s third leading rusher with 312 yards on 46 carries and 5 touchdowns.

Chaminade vs. Calabasas

At Calabasas High 7:30 p.m.

This should be as much a battle of philosophy as football. Chaminade, led by tailback Jang Kim, relies on a ball-control running attack. If the Eagles (2-1-1) can’t run for a score, they still can call on Kim, who doubles as a place-kicker. Kim hit from 31 yards in the final seconds to beat Montclair Prep three weeks ago. In contrast, Calabasas’ slogan is “Air Cal.” The Coyotes’ offense centers around quarterback Darren Del’Andrae and a host of talented receivers. Senior Todd Wensley caught a 17-yard touchdown pass last week to begin Calabasas’ scoring in their 25-6 win against Oak Park. The Coyotes (4-0) are ranked fourth in the Desert-Mountain Conference. Tailback Jim Ervin rushed 15 times for 138 yards and a touchdown last week.

Newbury Park vs. Simi Valley

At Simi Valley High 7:30 p.m.

Simi Valley (3-1) enters this Marmonte League contest riding the crest of a 24-9 win over cross-town rival Royal last week. The Pioneers depend on the running of M.J. Nelson, who gained 178 yards on 24 carries against Royal, including a 63-yard touchdown. Newbury Park (3-1) defeated Channel Islands, 14-0, last week. Bill Phillips broke a scoreless tie when he returned a punt 85 yards. Eric Craig rushed for 85 yards on 10 carries and scored 1 touchdown. The Panthers, who are ranked ninth in the Coastal Conference, held Channel Islands to 47 yards on the ground. Newbury Park’s only loss came against Ventura during the season’s second week.

North Hollywood vs. Grant

At Grant High 3 p.m.

Both Grant and North Hollywood have yet to post a victory this season, so a scoreless tie might not be too far-fetched. North Hollywood is coming off of a 21-13 loss to rival Polytechnic. The loss prompted the Huskies to work on their defense this week in practice. “Poly beat us off the line of scrimmage,” said North Hollywood Coach Fred Nielsen. “We’re hoping that we can reverse that trend. Poly played very well against us and they came off the ball really fast.” But Nielsen is optimistic. “I think we’re going to beat Grant. The team hasn’t died. They know they can win if they play well,” he said. Like North Hollywood, Grant is 0-1 in league and suffered a beating last week. The Lancers lost to Westchester, a Pac 8 League powerhouse, 51-14.

Granada Hills vs. Gardena

Gardena High 8 p.m.

Granada Hills (3-0) should learn a great deal about itself in this game, as the Highlanders take on powerful Gardena (2-1). The Mohicans are ranked No. 2 in the City. Their only loss was to Long Beach Poly, 7-3, which is ranked No. 5 in the nation by USA Today. Granada Hills, ranked No. 3 in the City and No. 2 in the Valley by The Times, has yet to be tested in a close game. The Highlanders have rolled up 100 points in three contests. But Granada Hills is not at full strength for this rematch of last season’s opening-round playoff game (won by Gardena, 37-21). Scott Tosti and Dan Takahashi, who both missed last week’s game with Van Nuys, will not play against the Mohicans, according to Coach Darryl Stroh. Tosti, a fullback and defensive back, has a separated clavicle. Takahashi, a wide receiver and defensive back, has a sprained ankle.

San Fernando vs. Carson

Carson High 3 p.m.

Carson won the City 4-A championship last year, and Coach Gene Vollnogle’s Colts appear to have the talent to repeat. Carson (2-1) is ranked No. 1 in the City, losing only to St. Paul, 9-7, a game in which Carson fumbled seven times, and lost possession five times. The 1985 Carson team is led by the Alvin and Calvin Show. Alvin Goree and Calvin Holmes, both tailbacks, are juniors who provide the Colts with a deadly one-two punch. Goree has four touchdowns this season, while Holmes, one of the state’s fastest sprinters, has two. Against Bishop Montgomery, Goree took a screen pass and ran 55 yards for a touchdown. He also returned a punt 63 yards for another score. San Fernando (2-1) is ranked No. 6 in the Valley by The Times. The Tigers are fresh off of a 15-6 win over Crenshaw.

Banning vs. Kennedy

Kennedy High School 8 p.m.

For the first time since 1974, Banning has a two-game losing streak. The Pilots have lost three of their last four games if you count last season’s City 4-A title game loss to Carson. That’s unusual, and it could mean bad times ahead for Kennedy. But Banning is struggling. In a 19-10 loss to Long Beach Poly last Saturday, Banning fumbled 11 times, losing possession on eight of the fumbles. Coach Chris Ferragamo this week said he is moving linebacker Earl Saunders to running back. It remains to be seen what effect the move will have on the Banning defense. Earlier this season, Ferragamo called Saunders “one of the best linebackers Banning has ever had.” Kennedy, coming off of a 3-0 win over Taft, is ranked No. 5 in the Valley by The Times.