High School Football Today

Southern Section

Canyon (1-0) vs. Hart (0-0), nonleague

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

This isn’t as much a game as it is an event in the Santa Clarita Valley. “Wait till you see it,” Canyon Coach Harry Welch said. “In this community, you will be there.” Canyon has added more intrigue to the rivalry with its stunning 40-0 win over Honolulu St. Louis at Aloha Stadium last week, snapping that school’s 55-game winning streak. Tailback David McDivitt, coming back from a severe concussion suffered over the summer, rushed for 207 yards against a defense that allowed just 178 rushing yards in 1989. But in Hart, Canyon faces size, speed and talent and a team the Cowboys have not beaten in three years. Mike Herrington, in his second year as Hart coach, is trying to become the first Hart coach to defeat Canyon twice in a row since Welch arrived at Canyon nine years ago. Hart senior lineman Tim DeGroote (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) is a potential high school All-American and George Kase (6-3, 220) has a school-record 18 sacks as an end and also will play tight end this year. Even Welch appreciates Kase’s style, calling him a “wild, crazy and marvelous football player.” Hart quarterback Ryan Connors, who led the sophomore team to the Foothill League title last season, will make his varsity debut before an expected crowd of about 8,000.

Westlake (0-0) vs. Buena (0-0), nonleague

At Ventura High: 7:30 p.m.

Last year, Buena won this shoot-out, 35-30. Again, it could be a high-scoring affair. Westlake’s potent offense is led by senior quarterback Todd Preston, who has thrown for 3,152 yards and 25 touchdowns in two seasons. Seamus Gibbons, who caught 36 passes last year, was projected as Westlake’s multipurpose offensive threat but has been slowed by a knee injury. He is expected to play but is not in top condition. Receiver Erik Holcomb (34 receptions) and tight end Dave Monheim (31) provide Preston with reliable targets. Buena lost many of its skill players from last year’s 6-5 team that finished second in the Channel League. But the Bulldogs have a large, experienced offensive line that is led by tackles Steve Sawyer (6-3, 260) and Phil Kurta (6-2, 220), center Greg Lyle (6-1, 195), and guards Pat Kelly (5-11, 225) and Brent Tingle (5-9, 175). “We expect them to have a solid offense and aggressive defense,” Westlake Coach Jim Benkert said.

Thousand Oaks (0-0) vs. San Marcos (0-0), nonleague

At San Marcos: 7:30 p.m.

Thousand Oaks has the Marmonte League’s toughest nonleague schedule, and it kicks off with the Royals, who should be strong contenders for the Channel League title. Thousand Oaks also will play host to Buena, another Channel League contender, and will travel to Canyon, the Golden League favorite. “It’s just a killer schedule,” Coach Bob Richards said. Yet the Lancers, the defending Marmonte champions, are expected to hold their own. Offensively, Thousand Oaks is led by quarterback Scott Peterson, tailback Cory Bowen and receiver Jeff Watts. Richards says the Lancers’ traditionally strong defense might begin the season slowly because of inexperience. But Richards also believes that the Lancers will have a potent offense from the start. San Marcos is led by tailback Mark Castelo, a 5-10, 175-pound senior who rushed for 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. Quarterback David Lopez was a second-team all-league pick last season and is considered the league’s best at his position.

Camarillo (0-0) vs. Oxnard (0-0), nonleague

At Oxnard: 7:30 p.m.

Camarillo has not beaten Oxnard since 1984, when the Scorpions won the Coastal Conference championship and handed the Yellowjackets a 49-7 defeat in the second round of the playoffs. Oxnard has beaten Camarillo five consecutive times, but that streak might end because Camarillo has its most talented team in five years. Tight end Eric Swendemen (6-4, 225) and two-way tackle Eric Jensen (6-3, 220) are attracting Division I interest. Senior quarterback Corey Tucker will lead a wishbone offense with the aid of sophomore tailback Fehel Campbell and junior fullback Tag Johnson. Camarillo Coach Carl Thompson says Johnson (5-11, 200) is the best fullback Camarillo has had in at least five years. Oxnard’s dynamic duo of fullback Bryant Taylor and quarterback Johnel Turner, who accounted for more than 2,000 rushing yards last season, has moved on to Moorpark College. But senior tailback Kenyon Lewis (6-2, 190) is one of the best backs in the Channel League. Larry Bumpus, a sophomore, will start at quarterback for the Yellowjackets, who are inexperienced and expected to finish in the bottom half of the league standings. “They’re supposed to be a little down, but they’re a big school and they always have a lot of speed,” Thompson said. “I’m sure they’ll come up with a very good team.”

Redlands (0-0) vs. Crespi (1-0), nonleague

At Pierce College: 7:30 p.m.

After defeating Kahuku High, 21-14, in Honolulu last week, Crespi will turn its attention to Redlands, ranked third in the preseason Southern Section Division I poll. “We’ve been so busy since we got back that we haven’t had the time to focus on them,” Crespi Coach Tim Lins said. But expect Redlands tailback Marcus Rogers to be foremost on Lins’ mind tonight. The 6-0, 155-pound senior, a Division I choice at defensive back, gained 177 yards and scored both touchdowns in the Terriers’ victory over Crespi in last season’s opener. Cornerback Shawn Collins (6-0, 155), whose brother Mark is a cornerback for the New York Giants, quarterback Julian Burrola (6-1, 178) and fullback Mike Dragna (5-8, 175) also return for Redlands. Crespi will rely on the arm of junior Cody Smith, who completed 14 of 25 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns against Kahuku. Wide receiver Ryan Kieling caught eight passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns against Kahuku and sophomore tailback Torie Lee rushed for 89 yards and had two receptions, including a 45-yard catch in the fourth quarter for the winning score.

Lynwood (0-0) vs. Notre Dame (0-0), nonleague

At Notre Dame: 7:30 p.m.

As far as preseason tests go, Lynwood will be more like a final exam for Notre Dame. First-year Lynwood Coach Bob Carpenter inherits 14 starters from last year’s 5-5 team, which handed Division III champion Paramount its only loss last season. “They’ve got a good group of athletes,” Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney said. Lynwood figures to be Paramount’s major challenger in the San Gabriel Valley League and is ranked eighth in the preseason Division II poll. “They run a lot of the option and it’s difficult to defend. We can’t give up the big plays.” Rooney is especially concerned with the quickness of Eugene Jackson (5-10, 175), an All-Division III selection at defensive back last season who will start at quarterback, and running back Theodore Anderson (5-10, 180). Lynwood’s offensive line will be anchored by 6-5, 270-pound William Goode. Notre Dame’s defense will rely on returning ends Anthony Rodgriguez (6-2, 190) and Paul Garcia (6-4, 217) and newcomer junior Greg Winter (5-10, 170). Steve Colella (6-5, 205) will start his first varsity game at quarterback for Notre Dame, but he has been impressive in summer passing leagues. Kirk Miller (6-1, 185), who averaged 22 yards a reception last season, and Vinnie Orlando (6-0, 170) will be Colella’s primary targets.

Newbury Park (0-0) vs. Chaminade (0-0-1), nonleague

At Chaminade: 7:30 p.m.

The Chaminade defense was its best offense in its opener in Hawaii last week. The Eagles needed a fumble recovery by Bill Blair in the final two minutes against Konawaena to forge a 6-6 tie but missed an opportunity to win when Amy Cook missed the extra point. And the Chaminade offense, which gained only 198 yards and had five turnovers, was its own worst enemy. Quarterback Jeff Meyer (6-0, 180) passed for 126 yards but threw two interceptions. Newbury Park Coach George Hurley considers the Panthers’ defense to be his team’s strength--as it was last season. John Obringer (6-0, 195), Jeff Epstein (6-3, 220), Sean McKeown (6-3, 220) and nose tackle Todd Bisacchi (5-10, 195) are the mainstays of the defensive line. Offensively, Newbury Park shows promise at the skill positions with wide receiver Jason Smith (5-6, 150) and running back Walter Thomas (5-6, 150). Quarterback Zak Sutton (5-7, 140) is untested but has shown potential during summer passing leagues.

Montclair Prep (0-1) vs. St. Monica (0-0), nonleague

At Culver City High: 7:30 p.m.

Suddenly, Montclair Prep is without its superstar tailback Derek Sparks. On Wednesday, Derek and his cousin, Leland Sparks, were pulled out of school by their uncle, Jerome, and apparently will return home to Texas. Montclair Prep is left with a gigantic hole in the backfield. Coach George Giannini’s response? “I would think that any good young football player in the San Fernando Valley who would like to gain 2,000 yards this year would apply to Montclair Prep,” he said. Until those applications start flowing, Giannini will go with either Greg Cole or Eliel Swinton at tailback. Swinton, a sophomore, is the younger brother of Washington State standout running back Rich Swinton, a Montclair Prep graduate. Fullback Neimad Durham is doubtful because of an ankle injury. The Mounties lost their opener, 28-7, to Farrington High of Hawaii.

Quartz Hill (0-0) vs. South Bakersfield (0-0), nonleague

At South Bakersfield: 7:30 p.m.

The Quartz Hill quarterback position, in doubt at the start of practice, has been won by junior Jake Haro, who “looked really good in practice,” according to Coach John Albee. Quartz Hill defeated South Bakersfield last year, 17-0, at Quartz Hill. South Bakersfield, a powerhouse a few years back, has not been as strong of late. Still, Albee says, “it should be a real good opener for us.”