VALLEY-AREA COLLEGE FOOTBALL : TODAY’S TOP GAMES

Western Football Conference

CS Northridge (6-1, 3-0) vs. Santa Clara (5-3, 1-2)

At Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara: 7 p.m.

Northridge could clinch at least a share of the WFC championship with a victory. The Matadors, ranked ninth in Division II and winners of a school-record six in a row, are facing an old nemesis in Santa Clara. Last season, the Broncos held on to defeat CSUN, 21-20, when, with 21 seconds remaining, the Matadors failed on a two-point conversion attempt. Santa Clara was ranked 18th before losing to 11th-ranked Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 29-0, last week. The Broncos’ top player is tailback Aron Wise, a sophomore who leads conference players in rushing (1,007 yards) and scoring (12 touchdowns). Although he lacks great speed, Wise “has great vision and can really cut,” according to Terry Malley, Santa Clara coach. Northridge counters with tailback Albert Fann, who has gained 750 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Expect Santa Clara to stack its defense to stop the run and attempt to force Northridge to win with quarterback Sherdrick Bonner, who has only one touchdown pass and averages 82 yards a game through the air. Still, he hurt Santa Clara last season by completing 21 of 32 attempts for 227 yards and two touchdowns. “He’s obviously someone we have a lot of respect for,” Malley said. “We hope he doesn’t make up for all those touchdown passes he’s been missing.” The game will be broadcast on KGIL 1260.

Nonconference

Cal Lutheran (1-6) vs. Whittier (0-6)

At Whittier: 1:30 p.m.

Coaches on each side talk about the similarities between the teams--decent defenses and anemic offenses. Whittier, which is celebrating homecoming, leads the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in yardage allowed, and Cal Lutheran ranks 10th nationally among NAIA schools in rushing defense. Whittier has lost six offensive starters and, like Cal Lutheran, is working with its third quarterback of the season; Sean Brady is making his third start. Defensive tackle-fullback Doi Johnson has carried the ball 15 times and scored five touchdowns for Whittier. The Cal Lutheran offense seems to take two steps back for every step forward. Craig Fortin will start at quarterback in place of Cassidy O’Sullivan. “Every time we have to start over again, it slows us down,” Coach Joe Harper said. The game will be broadcast on KMDY 850.

Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Claremont-Mudd (1-5, 1/2-2) vs. Occidental (4-2, 2 1/2-0)

At Occidental: 7:30 p.m.

Claremont running backs Reed Pangborn and Schon Branum have combined for 450 yards rushing, but the Stags’ running game has sputtered all season, partly because of injuries to the offensive line. Such injuries have required former La Canada High standout Chris Mehnert (6-foot-3, 235 pounds) to play both offensive and defensive tackle. Quarterback Brian O’Brien, a junior from Manitou Springs, Colo., has thrown for 619 yards, completing 59 of 137 with three touchdowns and eight interceptions. Safety John Yull is tied for the conference lead in interceptions with four. Occidental is coming off its third consecutive win, a 38-11 waxing of Pomona-Pitzer. The Tigers showed that they have more than one talented running back. Although Brian Madlangbayan played his usually strong game (106 yards rushing in 21 carries, touchdown runs of 39 and 18 yards), Craig Hartley emerged as a threat with 132 yards rushing in 22 carries.

Western State Conference

Compton (0-6, 0-5) vs. Glendale (4-2, 4-1)

At Glendale High: 7:30 p.m.

Glendale, riding a four-game win streak, could equal its victory total of last season by defeating Compton, which should not present much of a threat. The Tartars’ defense ranks 11th overall--and against the rush--among 12 WSC teams and running is what Glendale does best. The Vaqueros’ arsenal includes fleet tailback Bobby Webster (877 yards, 12 touchdowns) and bruising fullback Wes Bender (500 yards, one touchdown), the Nos. 2 and 6 rushers in the conference. Compton’s offense, ranked seventh (311.5 yards a game) in the conference, is led by running back Jarrod Bible (407 yards, six touchdowns).

Moorpark (5-1, 4-1) vs. L. A. Harbor (4-2, 3-2)

At L. A. Harbor: 7:30 p.m.

Harbor already has won as many games as it did last season. “We are improved a lot,” Harbor Coach Don Weems said. “I’m not sure we’re ready to come in and knock out a heavyweight.” Moorpark ranks last in the WSC in pass defense, and Harbor can throw. Quarterback Glenn Baham was the WSC co-offensive player of the week with Freddie Bradley and he has completed 55.2% of his passes. Wide receiver Cedric Jenkins has 24 receptions, and Bill Harris has rushed for 435 yards. Moorpark counters with the most powerful running attack in the state, but Coach Jim Bittner would like to establish his elusive passing game as well. Bradley is the leading rusher in the state with 1,124 yards and should soon eclipse his 1989 regular-season total of 1,266 yards. He also ranks first in the state in all-purpose running and third in scoring. Tight end Tremmel Hamm is out because of a fractured bone in his jaw and will be replaced by Anthony Koulax. Moorpark’s defense is ranked 11th in the country and fifth in the state.

West L. A. (3-3, 2-3) vs. Pierce (2-4, 2-3)

At Pierce: 7:30 p.m.

West L. A., which had lost 21 consecutive games before this season, has used the conference’s top-ranked defense to turn its fortunes around. Led by defensive end Sam Rogers (14 1/2 sacks), the Oilers are allowing only 239.7 yards a game. Although West L. A. is in the midst of a three-game losing skid, one of those losses was by three points and another was by four. Pierce has lost two games in a row but should be buoyed by the return of tailback LaShante Parker. The freshman from Palmdale High missed the last 1 1/2 games because of a sprained ankle after rushing for 551 yards and six touchdowns in the first 4 1/2 games. Parker’s return should take some pressure off quarterback Jamie Grossman, who struggled through a seven-of-16, four-interception outing last week.

L. A. Southwest (3-3, 2-3) vs. Valley (2-4, 2-3)

At Valley: 7:30 p.m.

This is probably a must-win game for Valley if the Monarchs intend to play in a postseason bowl game. After losing three of its first four games, Southwest has won two in a row, including a 12-0 defeat of Pierce last week. The Cougars are led by speedy quarterback Craig Manigo, who has completed 67 of 137 for 858 yards and 11 touchdowns. Defensive back David Mack (four interceptions) leads the Cougar defense, ranked third in the WSC. Valley’s Trendell Williams, who completed 16 of 36 for 145 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-14 loss to Bakersfield, is expected to start for Valley. Marcus Bridges, a J. C. Grid-Wire preseason second-team All-American, leads Monarch receivers with 20 receptions for 284 yards and three touchdowns.

Ventura (0-6, 0-5) vs. Santa Barbara (3-3, 2-3)

At Santa Barbara: 7:30 p.m.

Santa Barbara ranks 10th in the WSC in defense but Ventura has struggled as well, surrendering more than 300 rushing yards a game. “Everyone else has just mashed the ball down our throats,” Ventura Coach Dick James said. “This bunch will present a more sophisticated attack.” Santa Barbara freshman Poncho Renteria, who had been sidelined by a knee injury, came back to throw three touchdowns last week. Ventura running back Tony Williams carried the ball only six times a week ago; James hopes to get him 20 carries and a handful of receptions. Defensive back Roger Perkins is still out because of a shoulder separation, but defensive back Al Sanderson will play on an still-tender ankle.

Foothill Conference

Antelope Valley (7-0, 5-0) vs. Desert (4-3, 4-1)

At Desert: 7 p.m.

This game took on added importance when Chaffey was ordered to forfeit its first six games of the season because of an ineligible player. That meant Antelope Valley’s 24-24 tie with the Panthers became a win, as did Desert’s 17-13 loss. Antelope Valley has moved to 12th in the J. C. Athletic Bureau state poll after defeating San Bernardino Valley, 21-14, last week. Desert’s balanced offense, led by quarterback Joe Palamares (83 of 168 for 841 yards, 13 touchdowns, five interceptions) and running back Tim Davis (474 yards in 87 carries), ranks fifth (289.3 yards a game) in the conference. The defense also ranks fifth (271.7). Antelope Valley, off to its best start since 1954, possesses the conference’s top rushing offense (197-yard average) and the third-best defense (243.6). Interchangeable tailbacks Steve Miller (606 yards, six touchdowns) and Tony Simmons (542 yards, seven scores) are the main cogs in the Marauder offense, but quarterback Marty Washington has thrown for 682 yards and nine touchdowns. The game will be broadcast on KVVT Channel and KAVL 610.