HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TODAY

Cleveland vs. Chatsworth

At Chatsworth 8 p.m.

Cleveland was 1-7 last season but is going into the opener with high hopes. “We’re ready to turn it around,” Coach Steve Landress said. Cleveland’s only win last season was over Chatsworth, 20-0. Senior Albert Fann, who was injured most of last season, will do the bulk of the rushing for Cleveland. Quarterbacks Mario Hull and Jamie Grossman will alternate. Chatsworth, which rebounded from its loss to Cleveland last season to gain a berth in the City 3-A final, was shut out in a scrimmage against Kennedy last Friday. Coach Myron Gibford is not pleased. “We’re behind in our preparation,” he said. “Everyone is not on the same page.” A strong Chatsworth defense will have to force turnovers if the offense remains out of sync.

Alemany vs. Granada Hills

At Granada Hills 8 p.m.

Granada Hills Coach Darryl Stroh said Alemany is stronger than it showed in last week’s 6-0 loss to Harvard. “They may have been looking past Harvard to us,” he said. This will be the first meeting between cross-town rivals Alemany, a private Southern Section school, and Granada Hills, a City Section 4-A school. “It’s a natural,” Stroh said. Alemany quarterback Nick Napolitan may not play after suffering a bruised shoulder last week. Roy Talavera, the team’s best defensive back, would replace him. “Talavera is their best athlete,” Stroh said. Highlander quarterback Jeremy Leach (6-2, 200) will make his first start after transferring from L.A. Baptist.

Kennedy vs. Crenshaw

At Crenshaw 3 p.m.

“I put pressure on our kids by telling people we could be great,” first-year Kennedy Coach Bob Francola said. “By 6 p.m. we’ll see if we’ve got it or if I’ve been blowing smoke.” Kennedy has so much depth that Francola will use two platoons. Tailback Edwin Jones ran well in a scrimmage last Friday against Chatsworth. Crenshaw has a potent backfield of senior quarterback Jeff Sullivan, a returning starter, and four solid running backs: seniors Carlos Thomas and LaMont Peters and juniors Jerry Blackshire and Anthony Watts. Linebacker Rodney Scott and tackle Alfred Saunders are Crenshaw’s best defensive players. Kennedy defeated Crenshaw, 35-6, last season.

Burbank vs. Crespi

At Crespi 7:30 p.m.

“We’d like to bang Russell White a few times and try to intimidate him,” Burbank Coach Dave Carson said. “After all, he’s only 15 years old.” The coach from El Rancho said the same thing last week, and White, a sophomore running back playing in his first varsity game, gained 151 yards in four carries and had a 75-yard run nullified by a penalty. Crespi defeated El Rancho, 46-0. “Russell could have gained 500 if I had left him in the game,” Crespi Coach Bill Redell said. Burbank was defeated by Claremont, 10-3, last week despite 120 yards rushing by Abo Velasco. “We need to control the ball on the ground and keep Crespi’s offense off the field,” Carson said. Crespi defeated Burbank, 38-0, last season.

El Camino Real vs. Canoga Park

At Canoga Park 8 p.m.

Canoga Park was outscored, 24-0, by Reseda in a scrimmage last Friday, but the team’s problems pale in comparison to those of El Camino Real. “We don’t resemble a varsity football team,” El Camino Real Coach Skip Giancanelli said. Even junior quarterback Carl McFadden, a returning starter and bright spot on the Conquistadores 38-man roster, has not impressed the coach in practice. “Carl is not doing the greatest,” Giancanelli said. McFadden will alternate with Ray Sabado, a senior with no varsity experience. Ten El Camino Real players start on offense and defense. Canoga Park features a strong offensive line and experienced defense. Canoga Park defeated the Conquistadores, 21-0, last season.

Birmingham vs. Reseda

At Reseda 8 p.m.

Birmingham had a successful summer of passing league games and is considered the 3-A Sunset League favorite by Myron Gibford, coach of defending league champion Chatsworth. Reseda Coach Joel Schaeffer will have none of it, however. “We beat Birmingham every year,” he said. “And I don’t count passing league.” Reseda, which plays in the 2-A Pac 8 League, has defeated Birmingham in six consecutive season-openers, including last season’s 15-13 game. Quarterback Don Grant and running back Ron Wilkinson lead Reseda’s offense. Birmingham, behind quarterback Kevin Zietz, running back Mike Flores and receivers Jason Shaffer and Hasson Gay, should field a potent offense.

Verdugo Hills vs. Sylmar

At Sylmar 8 p.m.

Sylmar hopes to pick up where it left off last season. After losing their first five games, the Spartans won three of their last four. Sean Hampton, the Valley’s leading rusher last season with 1,306 yards, is back. “If he gets in the open field, we’re not going to catch him,” Verdugo Hills Coach Gregg Gentry said. “We hope to wear him down.” Hampton will be joined in the backfield by cousin Michael Hampton. “It’s our all-family backfield,” Sylmar Coach Tom Richards said. Verdugo Hills was 3-7 last season, but quarterback Darren Fitzgerald, a returning starter, passed for 1,350 yards. “He’ll throw at least 25 passes a game,” Gentry said. Running backs John Tinkler and Matt Fryer are juniors, starting for the first time on the varsity.

Agoura vs. Royal

At Simi Valley High 7:30 p.m.

Last week, Agoura was trounced by Newbury Park, 32-7, while Royal defeated Buena, 20-0. Agoura Coach Frank Greminger used the opener to evaluate a large group of inexperienced players. “I found out a lot of guys don’t like to hit,” he said. A hard week of practice will make or break many Chargers. “We’ll find out if we want to hit or stand around,” Greminger said. Rick Dobrowski and Scott Heflin will continue to alternate at quarterback for Agoura. Royal quarterback Shaun Christensen passed for two touchdowns and running back Ralph Blanks gained 100 yards on 15 carries last week. Holding Buena scoreless was a pleasant surprise for Royal, which allowed 300 points last season.

Canyon vs. La Canada

At La Canada 7:30 p.m.

Canyon’s style is different this season but the result--if last week’s 42-32 win over Hart is an indication--is the same. Canyon has won 39 straight games. Last season the Canyon defense stopped opposing teams and gave the offense superb field position. Last week the defense allowed 450 yards and 32 points, but the offense, led by Ken Sollom, Chad Zeigler, Lance Cross and Paul Chadwell, moved at will. La Canada won its own cross-town rivalry last week, defeating Crescenta Valley, 25-22. Trailing, 20-0, at halftime, La Canada rallied behind quarterback Mark Hansen, who threw two touchdown passes. “La Canada has several good athletes but not much depth,” Canyon Coach Harry Welch said.