A look at today’s key matchups

NORTH HOLLYWOOD (2-2, 1-0) vs. MONROE (4-0, 1-0)

At Monroe High, 7:30 p.m.

This Valley Pac-8 Conference matchup features the two most potent City Section running backs in the region: Monroe’s Vinny Walker and North Hollywood’s Dante Clay. Since neither team likes to pass--they have thrown only 54 passes combined--this game should be over in a hurry. Walker, a junior with 747 yards in 104 carries, leads an offense that averages 423 yards. Clay, a senior with 717 yards in 87 carries, works from a double-wing offense.

* LONG BEACH POLY (2-2) vs. ANTELOPE VALLEY (3-1)

At Antelope Valley High, 7:30 p.m.

A week after being shut down by Compton Dominguez, 19-0, Antelope Valley faces one of the Southern Section’s speediest teams. Long Beach Poly standouts are receiver Kenyon Rambo (27 receptions, 495 yards, six touchdowns), quarterback Chris Lewis, running back Herman Ho-Ching and defensive back Darrell Rideaux (six interceptions, two blocked punts). Antelope Valley tailback Tony Walker and fullback Eric Mobley combined for 165 yards against Dominguez.

* OXNARD (3-0-1, 1-0) vs. VENTURA (3-1, 1-0)

At Ventura High, 7:30 p.m.

Oxnard last week recorded its first victory over Buena since 1989. Now the Yellowjackets, in the running for their first league championship in 10 years, take on Channel League power Ventura. The Yellowjackets have allowed only 34 points. Senior quarterback Bryan Spencer has passed for 422 yards and five touchdowns. Running back Desmond Davis has rushed for 517 yards and six touchdowns. Ventura running back Jeramie Jackson has rushed for 468 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Mike Anderson has passed for 254 yards and two touchdowns.

* LITTLEROCK (4-1) vs. VALENCIA (4-0)

At Canyon High, 7:30 p.m.

Both teams feature top running backs. Donavan Calhoun has rushed for 594 yards and eight touchdowns for Valencia. Devon Reese (601) and Michael Woods (507) have combined for 1,108 yards on the ground for Littlerock. Valencia receiver and kicker Caleb Willis has 17 receptions for 300 yards and five touchdowns.

* BISHOP DIEGO (4-0) vs. NORDHOFF (4-0)

At Nordhoff High, 7:30 p.m.

The game matches a pair of similar, stingy defenses but different offenses. Nordhoff allows an average of seven points, Bishop Diego 3.5. Whereas Nordhoff is a running team, the Cardinals usually take to the air. Bishop Diego quarterback Rand Holdren, a senior transfer from San Marcos, has completed 57 of 90 attempts for 1,191 yards and 14 touchdowns. Receiver Earl Pointer has 17 catches for 403 yards and four touchdowns. Linebacker and fullback Russell Farrar leads the Rangers in tackles (36) and in rushing.

Other games

Southern Section: At 7:30 p.m., Channel League--Santa Barbara at Rio Mesa, Buena at San Marcos, Dos Pueblos at Hueneme. Marmonte League--Simi Valley at Newbury Park, Camarillo at Agoura, Channel Islands at Westlake, Royal at Thousand Oaks. Nonleague--Burroughs vs. Crescenta Valley at Glendale High, St. Paul at Notre Dame, Alemany at Bishop Montgomery, Calabasas vs. St. Monica at St. Bernard High, St. Bernard at Crespi, Pasadena vs. Saugus at College of the Canyons, Canyon at Palmdale, Ridgecrest Burroughs at Highland, Hoover at Chaminade, St. Francis at Bellflower, Bloomington at Glendale, La Canada at St. Anthony, Oak Park at Moorpark, Paraclete at Santa Paula, Quartz Hill at Apple Valley, Brethren vs. L.A. Baptist at Alemany.

City Section: At 3 p.m., Northern Conference--Verdugo Hills at Eagle Rock. At 7 p.m., Northwest Valley Conference--El Camino Real at Chatsworth, Kennedy at Cleveland, San Fernando at Birmingham, Granada Hills at Taft. At 7:30 p.m., Valley Pac-8 Conference--Sylmar at Van Nuys, Grant at Canoga Park, Poly at Reseda.

8-man: At 2 p.m., Masada at Faith Baptist. At 3 p.m., Landmark West at Campbell Hall, Lancaster Bethel Christian at Windward.