A Look at today’s key matchups

ANTELOPE VALLEY (3-0) vs. DOMINGUEZ (3-0)

At Compton Dominguez High, 7:30 p.m.

Fresh off a victory over City Section power Sylmar, Antelope Valley faces one of the better teams in the Southern Section. Dominguez, ranked No. 3 in Division III, was 10-2 last season with 12 sophomores starting, losing to Hart in the quarterfinals. In 1994, Antelope Valley beat Dominguez, 27-7, in the playoffs. The Dons have outscored its opponents, 151-13. Quarterback Jason Thomas (6 feet 4, 225 pounds), wing backs Vincent Starks and Willie Hurst, and fullback Damon Relf all run 4.5 in the 40. Antelope Valley is No. 2 in Division III. Tony Walker, one of the state’s best defensive backs, averages nearly 12 yards a carry and 19 yards on seven receptions. Eric Mobley has seven touchdowns and a 7.5-yard average in 40 carries.

* NOTRE DAME (2-1) vs. CRESPI (2-1)

At Pierce College, 7:30 p.m.

Since the resumption in 1990 of the rivalry between the high-profile Valley parochial schools, each team has three victories. Notre Dame has won two straight in the series (27-14 last season). The Knights suffered their first regular-season defeat in nearly two years last week, a 14-7 loss to Beverly Hills in which tailback Justin Fargas was held to 70 yards. But the running game remains Notre Dame’s strength, especially with mobile quarterback Jorge Piedra, who has rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns. He has passed for 374 yards and three scores. Crespi, coming off impressive victories over Quartz Hill and Franklin, has versatile senior quarterback Nick Rita, who has rushed for 240 yards and four touchdowns over the past two weeks. Rita leads the Celts with 236 rushing yards. Crespi leads the series, 14-7.

* PALMDALE (3-0) vs. HART (1-2)

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

Two years after finishing 0-10, the Falcons are off to their best start in Coach Jeff Williams’ six seasons. Palmdale is big and physical and could have the best running attack in the Golden League with Jan Brown and Jason Anderson combining for 223 yards a game. Hart is coming off consecutive losses to Thousand Oaks and Westlake by a total of three points. Changes continue for an inexperienced defense, Nate McAfee moving from strong safety to linebacker, David Childers from linebacker to defensive end and Toby Coe from linebacker to strong safety. Defensive end Mike Krause quit the team this week. Quarterback Travis Carroll has been a standout and touted receiver Cody Joyce failed to catch a pass last week after catching 15 in two games.

* BUENA (1-2) vs. OXNARD (2-0-1)

At Oxnard High, 7:30 p.m.

Oxnard, a preseason pick to contend for its first Channel League title since 1986, enters league play after an impressive showing in three nonleague games, including last week’s 48-0 drubbing of Channel Islands under the lights of Oxnard’s new stadium. Running back Desmond Davis rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Courtney Palmore has rushed for 56 yards and is, perhaps, more valuable in his role as a defensive back. Buena nearly upset defending Marmonte League champion Newbury Park last week, losing, 37-34, on a touchdown run in the final 15 seconds. Brady Phelps, who rushed for 207 yards and four touchdowns.

* HARVARD-WESTLAKE (3-0) vs. CALABASAS (3-0)

At Calabasas High, 7:30 p.m.

Calabasas will receive a stiff test after outscoring its first three opponents, 121-23. The Coyotes rely on quarterback Scott Quigley and tailback Robby Coppola. Quigley has completed 17 of 31 passes for 415 yards and eight touchdowns. Coppola has rushed for 544 yards and seven touchdowns in 40 carries. He is also a standout linebacker. Receivers Kevin Wang and Jeff Wilk have combined to catch 12 passes for 243 yards and seven touchdowns. Harvard-Westlake counters with running back Sam Hornblower, who has carried 71 times for 361 yards and eight touchdowns. Steve Durbin is a receiver with big-play potential and has caught 11 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. John Terzian has completed 22 of 47 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns. Calabasas won, 18-15, last season when a Wolverine field-goal bounced off the goalpost in the final seconds.

* EL CAMINO REAL (2-1) vs. TAFT (3-0)

At Taft High, 7 p.m.

El Camino Real is primed for this neighborhood rivalry coming off consecutive victories over Chaminade and Canoga Park, but the Conquistadores’ backfield is battered going into the Northwest Valley Conference opener. Quarterback Aaron Fredette is questionable and his backup, junior Jared Maiden, is out with a concussion. If Fredette can’t go, sophomore Brett Dempsey or junior Luis Espinoza will start. Still, El Camino Real has enough talent at the skill positions to worry Taft Coach Troy Starr. The Toreadors have been impressive in victories over Sylmar, Fairfax and Dorsey. The most dominant part of the team might be the defensive line, led by Lonnel Black and Charles Mason, which stifled the Dons. Take away a 95-yard touchdown run by Dorsey last week, and Taft has allowed 202 yards in three games. Quarterback Nick DiPadova has accounted for 11 touchdowns.

Other games

Southern Section: At 7:30 p.m., Channel League--Rio Mesa at Hueneme, Santa Barbara at Ventura. Marmonte League--Newbury Park at Camarillo, Agoura vs. Royal at Moorpark College, Thousand Oaks at Channel Islands, Westlake at Simi Valley. Nonleague--Saugus at Quartz Hill, Chaminade vs. Littlerock at Palmdale High, Glendale at Burroughs, Burbank at Santa Paula, Righetti at Alemany, South Pasadena vs. Crescenta Valley at Glendale High, St. Francis at Pasadena, Alhambra at La Canada, Kern Valley at Moorpark, Nordhoff at Oak Park, L.A. Baptist at Fillmore, Valencia at Cantwell, St. Bonaventure at St. Joseph, Canyon at Arroyo Grande, Kilpatrick at Ontario Christian.

City Section: At 3 p.m., Valley Pac-8 Conference--North Hollywood at Grant. At 7 p.m., Northwest Valley Conference--Cleveland at San Fernando, Birmingham at Kennedy. At 7:30 p.m., Northwest Valley Conference--Chatsworth at Granada Hills. Valley Pac-8 Conference--Monroe at Canoga Park, Sylmar at Reseda, Van Nuys at Poly.

Intersectional: At 7:30 p.m., Nonleague--Stockdale at Highland, Bakersfield Garces vs. Paraclete at Antelope Valley College.

8-man: At 3 p.m., Lancaster Bethel Christian at Campbell Hall.