HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TODAY

Canoga Park vs. Chatsworth

At Chatsworth High 8 p.m.

Both teams are 3-0 in the Sunset League. Canoga Park is 6-1 overall and Chatsworth is 5-2. After missing Canoga Park’s game last week for disciplinary reasons, running back Kenny Durr will play this week but will not start. The Hunters will need all their weapons against Chatsworth. After a slow start, Chatsworth has come on strong in recent weeks. Running back Steven Smith has rushed for 357 yards on 75 carries and 8 touchdowns. Canoga Park’s Tony Cantrell has thrown for 652 yards and eight touchdowns. Hunter Junior Delgado leads the Valley in interceptions with seven. Last week, Delgado returned punts 66 and 47 yards for touchdowns against Van Nuys.

Santa Clara vs. Agoura

At Agoura High 7:30 p.m.

After losing all but three starters from the team that won the Desert-Mountain Conference championship last season, Agoura Coach Frank Greminger said his team wasn’t rebuilding--just building. This game, which should decide the Frontier League championship, is the one for which the Chargers (6-2, 3-0) have been building. Santa Clara (7-1, 3-0) is the preseason favorite in the Frontier League, and has lived up to expectation, except for a 35-0 loss to Rio Mesa. The Saints have outscored their opponents by a combined 293-97 for an average victory margin of 24 points. Agoura has outscored its opponents 191-101. The Chargers, averaging more than 319 yards in total offense per game, are led by senior tailback Brock Hoffman, who has rushed for 944 yards and nine touchdowns on 122 carries. Quarterback Jon DeGennaro has completed 59 of 103 passes for 750 yards and 4 touchdowns.

St. Francis vs. Crespi

At Crespi High 7:30 p.m.

Neither team has enjoyed the kind of success it expected this season. Crespi began the season 4-0, but since has lost four straight and all three of its Del Rey League games. St. Francis (2-6 overall, 1-2 in league) is in danger of failing to qualify for the playoffs for only the fifth time since 1960. “We’re really going to have to scramble to make it this time,” St. Francis Coach Terry Terrazone said. If the Knights are to rebound, running back Brian Miller is going to have to lead the way. Last week in the Knights’ 28-7 loss to Loyola, Miller gained 108 yards on 10 carries and scored a touchdown. Crespi is looking to break a 13-game league losing streak. Quarterback Randy Redell has passed for 600 yards and running back Jon Budge has gained 314.

Birmingham vs. Taft

At Taft High 8 p.m.

This game matches two Sunset League teams with identical records. Both schools are 4-3 overall, 1-2 in league. In fact, Birmingham and Taft have scored and given up almost the same number of points. The Braves have scored 128 points and given up 65. The Toreadors have scored 133 points and given up 62. Leading the Braves is quarterback Kevin Zietz, who has passed for 921 yards. Zietz has completed just 40% of his passes, but he averages 18.4 yards per completion. He’s thrown for eight touchdowns. Running back Kevin Wolfe leads Taft with 655 rushing yards on 137 carries.

Dos Pueblos vs. Rio Mesa

Rio Mesa High 7:30 p.m.

Rio Mesa was riding high until Santa Barbara brought it down to earth last week with a 30-7 rout. Before that game, the Spartans, 3-2 in the Channel League and 5-2-1 overall, were ranked No. 4 in the Coastal Conference. After the loss to Santa Barbara, the No. 3 ranked team, Rio Mesa dropped to No. 10 in the poll. The loss also dropped the Spartans to a third-place tie in league with Dos Pueblos. This game may play a pivotal role in determing which teams go to the playoffs. Buena and Santa Barbara, each 4-1, are tied for first. Dos Pueblos jumped back into the playoff picture last week by disposing of Hueneme, 12-0. Dos Pueblos is also 3-2 in league. It is 4-4 overall.

El Camino Real vs. San Fernando

At San Fernando High 8 p.m.

San Fernando Coach Tom Hernandez expected his team to be strong offensively this season and the Tigers have not disappointed. In its first two league games, San Fernando has rolled up 58 points, while giving up just seven. The Tigers improved to 2-0 in the Valley 4-A League with a 37-0 rout of Cleveland last week. If San Fernando (5-2 overall) wins, it will play Granada Hills next week for the league title. El Camino Real (1-6 overall) enters its last league game with a 1-2 record. Even if the Conquistadores lose, they probably will make the City 4-A playoffs, since they defeated Cleveland. The Cavaliers (0-2 in league) must play Granada Hills (2-0) and Kennedy (1-2) the next two weeks.

Westlake vs. Newbury Park

At Newbury Park High 7:30 p.m.

“The thing that scares us about Newbury Park,” Westlake Coach George Contreras said, “is their similarity to Thousand Oaks. They can take the football and control large amounts of time and score.” That is what Thousand Oaks did in defeating the Warriors, 24-21, in overtime, Westlake’s only loss in four Marmonte League games. Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley are also 3-1 in league. Westlake is 6-2 overall. Newbury Park, which will be playing its first game at its new stadium, is 4-3-1 overall and 2-2 in league. But as Contreras pointed out, the Panthers’ three losses have come by a combined total of six points. Newbury Park, behind its ground-oriented, ball-control offense, tied West Torrance, 0-0, last week.

Channel Islands vs. Simi Valley

At Simi Valley High 7:30 p.m.

Simi Valley was in control of the Marmonte League just a week ago, but then the Pioneers suffered a 27-7 loss to Thousand Oaks. That left Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Westlake sharing first place in the league with records of 3-1. With M.J. Nelson in the backfield, Simi (6-2 overall) is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Said Thousand Oaks Coach Bob Richards after his team had handled Nelson: “I’ve coached 19 years and he’s probably the single player that most makes hold your throat when you look at him.” Channel Islands, 3-2 in league, is coming off a 34-26 loss to Westlake last Saturday. Channel Islands is 4-3-1 overall.