HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TODAY

Simi Valley vs. Thousand Oaks

At Thousand Oaks High 7:30 p.m.

Simi Valley is in first place in the Marmonte League with a 3-0 record. But the Pioneers can hardly feel secure, as three teams are within a game of the top. Thousand Oaks (4-3, 2-1) is one of the trio. “We have a good running game and we throw the ball pretty well,” Coach Bob Richards said. “Hopefully, we’ll pick the right thing to do at the right time.” The right thing for Simi Valley (6-1 overall) has been to get the ball to M.J. Nelson. A senior running back, Nelson has rushed for 708 yards and 8 touchdowns on 119 carries this season. In his career at Simi Valley, Nelson has 16 touchdowns on plays of 50 or more yards. Thousand Oaks will answer with sophomore running back Marc Monestime, who has gained 612 yards on 121 carries.

Notre Dame vs. Alemany

At Alemany High 7:30 p.m.

Alemany fell from the ranks of the unbeaten last week after losing to St. Francis, 3-0, on a field goal in the closing minutes. The Indians, who are ranked No. 6 in The Times Valley Top Ten, are 6-1 overall and 1-1 in the Del Rey League. Notre Dame is the surprise of the league. After starting the season 1-4, the Knights have opened Del Rey play with two victories and are tied for first with Loyola at 2-0. They are led by the running back duo of Jerry Pondella (371 yards) and Nate Milone (343). Alemany has the top-rated defense in the Valley area, allowing only 115 yards per game. The Indians have outscored their opponents, 156-27.

Nordhoff vs. Calabasas

At Calabasas High 7:30 p.m.

The Coyotes are 5-2 overall, 1-1 in the Frontier League. “I’m hoping we’ll play better than we have in recent weeks,” Calabasas Coach Larry Edwards said. “Nordhoff has been hot and cold, but they are a good team. I expect them to run. The last few teams have run on us with success. Since we lost our opener to Agoura, our backs have been to the wall. We need to win two of our next three games to get into the playoffs.” Calabasas has scored 145 points and given up 102. Nordhoff is 2-5 overall and 1-1 in the Frontier League. Jim Ervin leads Calabasas with 618 yards and 7 touchdowns on 93 carries for a 6.6 average. Nordhoff has scored 69 points and given up 152.

Rio Mesa vs. Santa Barbara

At Santa Barbara High 7:30 p.m.

This game matches Santa Barbara, which is ranked third in the Coastal Conference, with the conference’s fourth-ranked team, Rio Mesa. Santa Barbara (6-1) and Rio Mesa (5-1-1) are 3-1 in the Channel League. “Santa Barbara has a balanced attack,” Rio Mesa Coach John Reardon said. “But we’ll have to stop the pass. We’ll have to play the best game we’ve played all year. They have more speed than we do. The defenses are about equal.” Rio Mesa’s defense is ranked fifth among Valley-area Southern Section schools, allowing 164.3 yards per game. Offensively, the Spartans’ Leonard Lee has gained 518 yards on 97 carries. Quarterback Steve Carolan has completed 52 of 96 passes for 680 yards.

Schurr vs. Burbank

At Memorial Stadium, Burbank 7:30 p.m.

A long year for Burbank (2-5, 0-2) figures to get even longer when the Bulldogs take on Schurr (7-0, 2-0), the Coastal Conference’s top-ranked team. Schurr is averaging 405 yards and 39.3 points per game. Senior flanker-defensive back Hubert Turner has caught 31 passes for 917 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s also returned two of his three interceptions for scores. “Having a threat like Hubert is like dying and going to heaven,” Schurr Coach Ken Davis said. Burbank Coach Dave Carson said Turner is the best player in the Foothill League. “He has the ability to take nothing and makes it into something,” he said. Schurr quarterback Eric Rubalcava has passed for 1593 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Kennedy vs. El Camino Real

At Pierce College 8 p.m.

After failing to score in its first five games, El Camino Real not only scored last week, it also registered a 23-7 win over Cleveland. The victory vaulted the Conquistadores into third place in the Valley 4-A League with a 1-1 record. In Kennedy, El Camino Real will face a team that has lost three straight games, including its first two in the Valley 4-A League. Kennedy had a 14-0 lead entering the fourth quarter last week against cross-town rival Granada Hills, only to surrender three touchdowns. The Golden Cougars (2-4), need a victory if they intend on qualifying for the City 4-A playoffs. An El Camino Real victory would guarantee a playoff spot, since four of the five Valley 4-A League teams make the playoffs.

Ridgecrest Burroughs vs. Canyon

At Canyon High 7:30 p.m.

Canyon’s 31-game win streak faces a threat against Golden League rival Burroughs. The Burros were 3-6 last season, but have rebounded to post a 5-1-1 mark (1-1 in league) and a No. 10 ranking in the Northwestern Conference. Canyon, the two-time conference champion, is ranked first. The Cowboys (2-0 in league, 7-0 overall) have the second-best defense in the Valley area and have outscored their opponents, 174-26. Burroughs Coach Gene Vejtasa doesn’t expect to score many points against the Cowboys, saying: “If we’re going to have any chance at all, it’s going to have to be a low-scoring game.” The Burros have a legitimate big-play threat in senior tailback Ray Haleman. He has gained more than 100 yards in six different games. Senior split end Alan Celestine has eight touchdown receptions and is averaging 21 yards per catch.

Taft vs. Monroe

At Monroe High 8 p.m.

Taft has the stingiest defense among Valley-area City teams. The Toreadors give up only 119 yards per game but have yet to win a Sunset League contest. On offense, Taft (0-2 in league, 3-3 overall) are led by quarterback Ray Daniels. He has been responsible for 10 Toreador touchdowns, five passing and five rushing. Running back Kevin Wolfe ranks third among Valley-area City rushers with 559 yards. Monroe, the defending league champion, is coming off a 23-13 win over Birmingham. The Vikings (1-1, 4-1-1) are awaiting the return of quarterback Robert Harris, who has been sidelined with an injury. He is questionable for tonight’s game. If he cannot play, Barry Thomas will fill in. Thomas, who also plays defensive back, leads Monroe’s defense with three interceptions.