A Look at today’s key matchups

WESTLAKE (5-0, 2-0) vs. THOUSAND OAKS (4-0-1, 2-0)

At Thousand Oaks High, 7:30 p.m.

The winner of this cross-town rivalry gains the inside track on the Marmonte League championship. The teams appear about even: Both defeated Hart in hard-fought nonleague games and only a tie against Chaminade mars the Lancers’ record. Last season, Thousand Oaks defeated Westlake, 27-26. Westlake quarterback Casey Preston has passed for 1,323 yards and 12 touchdowns with five interceptions; Thousand Oaks’ Scott McEwan has 988 yards and 10 touchdowns with one interception. Lancer receiver Barrett Grindle has 22 catches for 484 yards. Warrior running back Jon Weems has rushed for 554 yards and a 7.5 average, while Lancer running back Eleo Cuadra has 393 yards and a 6.2 average. Both defenses are built around excellent middle linebackers--Bobby DeMars of Westlake and Jud Southwell of Thousand Oaks. Lineman Chance Redmond had four sacks last week for Thousand Oaks.

* QUARTZ HILL (3-2) vs. LITTLEROCK (5-1)

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

Quartz Hill is the team that won’t budge. Littlerock hasn’t been stopped. While Littlerock averages 250 yards a game rushing, the Rebels allow only 121.4 on the ground, best among Golden League teams. Something has to give in this league opener. Littlerock’s Michael Woods (703) and Devon Reese (622) each average 5.6 yards per carry, combining for 13 touchdowns. Quartz Hill also likes to run, with Jeremiah Harris (371), Jacob Waasdorp (293 yards) and Jermaine Reyes (107) posing a triple threat. The Lobos are generous against the run, allowing 198.5 yards per game.

* HART (3-2) vs. CANYON (2-3)

At Canyon High, 7:30 p.m.

This traditional rivalry usually brings out the best in both teams. But it has mostly drawn the best from Hart of late. The Indians have won eight of the past nine meetings and are averaging 34.6 points against the Cowboys since a 14-7 loss in 1990. Hart leads the series, 16-11, after once trailing, 10-8. Hart quarterback Travis Carroll has completed 62.8% of his passes for 1,041 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Indian defense was tough in last week’s 24-10 victory over Loyola, then the state’s No. 3 team. For Canyon, Rick Thomas has thrown for 897 yards. Monte McKeon and Jeff McKinley have combined for 828 yards and eight touchdowns rushing. Canyon’s Steve Lombardi (26 catches) and Hart’s Cody Joyce (25) are top receivers. Key stat for this Foothill League opener: The Cowboys allow 378.8 yards and 34.2 points per game.

* SAUGUS (2-3) vs. BURROUGHS (4-1)

At Burroughs High, 7:30 p.m.

Saugus came into the season with high expectations but lost three of its first four games. Now the Centurions can start over in Foothill League play. Saugus could overpower the Indians with a ball-control offense: Its offensive linemen average more than 260 pounds. Mark Pecaro has rushed for 471 yards and eight touchdowns. The Centurions must stop an Indian passing attack that features quarterback J.K. Scott (1,186 yards, 14 touchdowns, two interceptions) and Glenn Adriatico (35 catches, 622 yards, nine touchdowns). The Indians have nine interceptions, four for touchdowns, including three against Glendale two weeks ago.

* RIO MESA (5-0, 2-0) vs. DOS PUEBLOS (5-0, 2-0)

At San Marcos High, 7:30 p.m.

Rio Mesa, in the midst of a turnaround this season, will try for its first 6-0 start since 1974. The Spartans’ efficient attack has earned them a shot at their first Channel League title since 1985. Carl Richardson has rushed for only 350 yards but has scored 15 touchdowns and is the area leader in scoring with 92 points. Senior quarterback Farhaad Azimi has passed for only 495 yards, but he ranks second in the area in completion percentage (61.5) and has not thrown an interception. Dos Pueblos quarterback Anthony Ramos, a three-year starter and one of the league’s best players, has passed for 1,192 yards and rushed for 401.

* VENTURA (3-2, 1-1) vs. BUENA (2-3, 1-1)

At Ventura High, 7:30 p.m.

Among Ventura County’s oldest rivalries, this year’s meeting is a battle for both teams to stay in the playoff picture. Each team has lost a Channel League game to first-place Oxnard. Ventura quarterback Mike Anderson, who rushed for two touchdowns last week against Oxnard, is a threat to run or pass. Tailback Jeramie Jackson has rushed for 600 yards and five touchdowns and is starting to play flanker part time. Buena’s Brady Phelps, who has rushed for 610 yards and nine touchdowns, is the Bulldogs’ dominant offensive player.

* NOTRE DAME (4-1) vs. ST. FRANCIS (4-1)

At St. Francis High, 7:30 p.m.

This Mission League opener pits the region’s top two running backs against each other. Notre Dame’s Justin Fargas has rushed for a region-high 911 yards and averages 9.2 yards a carry. Robert Milton of St. Francis is close behind with 891 yards and eight touchdowns. Both are explosive players in run-oriented offenses. Notre Dame’s defense has dominated the Golden Knights in recent years and the same could happen tonight. Notre Dame allows 107.6 yards rushing per game. Notre Dame has won 15 consecutive league games and three consecutive league titles.

Other games

Southern Section: At 7:30 p.m., Del Rey League--Crespi at Bishop Amat, St. John Bosco at Alemany. Pacific League--Muir at Glendale, Hoover at Arcadia. Foothill League--Burbank vs. Valencia at College of the Canyons. Frontier League--Calabasas at Moorpark, Nordhoff at Santa Paula. Channel League--Oxnard at Hueneme. Marmonte League--Agoura at Newbury Park, Camarillo at Simi Valley, Royal at Channel Islands. Mission League--Chaminade at Bishop Montgomery. Golden League--Highland at Palmdale. Rio Hondo League--La Canada at Monrovia. Tri-Valley League--Carpinteria at Fillmore. High Desert League--Paraclete at Rosamond. Nonleague--Santa Clara at Oak Park, L.A. Jordan vs. Montclair Prep at Valley College.

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

8-man: At 2:30 p.m., Campbell Hall at Antelope Valley Christian. At 7:30 p.m., Faith Baptist at Rio Hondo.