Game Day

A Look at today’s key matchups

NCAA DIVISION I-AA

* MONTANA STATE (2-3, 1-2) vs. CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (4-2, 1-1)

At North Campus Stadium, Northridge, 6:05 p.m.

If Northridge is going to play a low-scoring game this year, this might be it. The Bobcats are averaging 219.6 yards, 11.8 first downs and 18.4 points a game. Montana State’s best weapon is running back Matt Engelking, a 5-foot-10, 189-pound senior who is averaging 98.8 yards per game, third in the conference. But last week, in a 49-18 loss to Northern Arizona, the Bobcats broke an 18-game string of running the ball more times than they passed it. Rob Compson has completed 26 of 61 passes for 225 yards. Add it all up and the Bobcats play right into Northridge’s strength. The Matadors have stacked seven or eight men on the line of scrimmage in most games, yielding only 71.3 yards rushing per game, second in Division I-AA, and recording 30 sacks, tops in the Big Sky Conference. Northridge will face what Coach Dave Baldwin calls the most physical defense he’s seen all year. Perhaps the most feared player on Montana State’s roster is Kenyatte Morgan, who has returned two punts for touchdowns. On the injury front, Matador linebacker Robby Proffer will play this week, though linebacker James Woods (sprained right ankle) and running back Chad Marsalek (broken right foot) are probably still out. Northridge needs a victory to keep its Division I-AA playoff hopes alive.

DIVISION III

* OCCIDENTAL (0-4, 0-2) vs. CAL LUTHERAN (0-4, 0-1)

At Mt. Clef Stadium, Thousand Oaks, 1 p.m.

This Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game marks the best chance so far for Cal Lutheran to earn a victory. “From here on out, we’re playing against like teams and we have a chance to be a very good football team,” Coach Scott Squires said. A victory would be a nice complement to a homecoming celebration honoring Cal Lutheran’s 1971 NAIA Division II championship team. Kingsmen quarterback Ryan Huisenga is expected to be available after sitting out last week with a shoulder injury. Occidental’s triple-option offense is guided by quarterback Doug Young (17 of 51 for 303 yards and 53 rushes for 115 yards). Adrian Oesterreich has 31 carries for 166 yards, Andrew Pattison 25 for 126 and Gerald Mann 22 for 114 yards.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

* VALLEY (4-1) vs. PIERCE (0-4)

At Pierce College, 7 p.m.

The Monarchs, ranked ninth in the state, are in a groove. Last week they dismantled Compton, 47-6, with their starters playing only half the game. Receivers Eric Ruhle (31 catches for 577 yards), Joey Orlando (23 for 275) and Leaford Hackett (18 for 137) help keep Valley’s run-and-shoot offense working smoothly. David Lins leads the WSC with a 63.4% completion rate (90 of 142, no interceptions) and is second in passing yards with 1,117. Pierce last week lost to Santa Monica, 29-27, when the Corsairs blocked a point-after attempt with nine seconds to play and returned it for two points. The Brahmas have lost 12 consecutive games. Jermaine Brooks tops the conference with 32 receptions for 342 yards. Pierce leads the series, 16-12, dating to 1965. This is a WSC interdivisional game.

* WEST L.A. (3-2, 0-1) vs. MOORPARK (4-1, 1-0)

At Moorpark College, 7 p.m.

West Los Angeles, with the top offense in the WSC, meets Moorpark, which has the second-stingiest defense, in a Southern Division matchup. West L.A. averages 455.6 yards and Moorpark allows 238.0 per game. West L.A.’s Romell Knutt leads the WSC with 744 yards rushing. Linebacker Jesse Belvin last week had eight tackles and one interception in a 38-14 loss to Bakersfield. This is the earliest the Oilers have won three games in a season since Coach Rob Hager took over the program in 1990. Moorpark, ranked 14th in the state, is coming off a 24-0 victory over Glendale. Cornerback Dewayne Mathis (four interceptions) and linebacker Kenny Amato, who had eight tackles and a sack against Glendale, are the defensive leaders for the Raiders. Moorpark hasn’t lost to West L.A. since 1984.

HIGH SCHOOL

* VILLAGE CHRISTIAN (4-1) vs. L.A. BAPTIST (2-3)

At Alemany High, 7:30 p.m.

The “Bible Bowl” has decided the last four Alpha League titles, and this season--although the game opens Alpha League play instead of closing it as it has the last four years--should be no different. Village Christian, ranked second in Division XI, enters Alpha League play after an exhilarating 17-14 victory over Whittier Christian. L.A. Baptist stumbles into the game after a disappointing nonleague season. The Knights, ranked No. 1 in the preseason Division XI poll, have allowed an average of 276.5 yards rushing a game. Coach Mark Bates has made changes he hopes will fix the problem. Peter Dirksen has passed for 989 yards and seven touchdowns, but has thrown nine interceptions. Village Christian lacks a big-play threat, but plays a balanced and well-disciplined game. Jeff Johnston has passed for 564 yards for the Crusaders.

Other games:

Junior college: At 7 p.m., Ventura at Santa Monica, Desert at Antelope Valley.

High school, Southern Section: At 2 p.m., Alpha League--Kilpatrick at Marshall. At 2:30 p.m., Serra at Harvard-Westlake. At 6 p.m., Prep League--Chadwick vs. Flintridge Prep at St. Francis High. At 7:30 p.m., Santa Fe League--Bell-Jeff vs. La Salle at Monrovia High, Murphy vs. St. Genevieve at Birmingham High. Tri-Valley League--Bishop Diego vs. St. Bonaventure at Ventura High. Victory League--Capistrano Valley Christian vs. Vasquez at Rosamond High.

8-man: At 1 p.m., L.A. Lutheran at Pacific Christian, Big Pine at Lancaster Bethel Christian. At 2 p.m., Windward vs. Viewpoint at Calabasas High.