Game Day

A look at the today’s key matchups * KENNEDY (5-2, 4-0) vs. TAFT (7-0, 4-0)

At Taft High, 7 p.m.

The most eagerly anticipated Northwest Valley Conference matchup entering the season is still the marquee game seven weeks later. After losing close games to Quartz Hill and Carson, the Golden Cougars have won five consecutive games by a combined score of 209-65. Taft has been challenged twice--by El Camino Real and San Fernando--but the Toreadors found a way to win each time. Kennedy quarterback Calvin Zinck has passed for 1,212 yards and 15 touchdowns and tailback Jaret Harris has gained 954 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. Taft quarterback Nick DiPadova has accounted for an area-leading 28 touchdowns, 17 passing, 11 rushing. Taft’s defense is the best in the region, allowing 141.4 yards a game.

* CRESCENTA VALLEY (4-3, 2-0) vs. MUIR (5-2, 2-0)

At Pasadena City College, 7:30 p.m.

Crescenta Valley has won four of its last five but must overcome a trend of a different sort to keep winning. The Falcons have failed to beat Muir in the ‘90s and have been shut out in three of those six losses. Muir running back Sultan McCullough has 987 yards and 16 touchdowns in 147 carries. Kenny Pritchett of Crescenta Valley has rushed for 1,221 yards, second-best in the area, and scored 14 touchdowns in 181 carries while switching between running back and quarterback. Pritchett has completed 29 of 45 passes for 316 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

* BURROUGHS (6-1, 2-0) vs. VALENCIA (5-2, 1-1)

At Canyon High, 7:30 p.m.

A season-ending shoulder injury to Valencia running back Donavan Calhoun (969 yards and 13 touchdowns) takes some of the luster off this game. Burroughs quarterback J.K. Scott, hampered by a sprained toe, has completed 57% of his passes for 1,774 yards and 20 touchdowns with only four interceptions. Glenn Adriatico (45-839, 12 touchdowns receiving) is Scott’s No. 1 weapon.Valencia will count on more production from quarterback Kenny Taylor (1,118 yards, 10 touchdowns, 11 interceptions). Manuel White, who has rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns on the Viking freshman team, will replace Calhoun.

* WESTLAKE (5-2, 2-2) vs. NEWBURY PARK (6-1, 3-1)

At Newbury Park High, 7:30 p.m.

Two weeks ago, Westlake was unbeaten and top-ranked in The Times’ Valley poll. After consecutive Marmonte League losses to Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, the Warriors must win simply to keep their playoff hopes alive. The game features two of the area’s top passers: Newbury Park’s Chris Czernek has thrown for an area-high 2,196 yards, completing 149 of 258 for 18 touchdowns. Westlake’s Casey Preston is 106 of 187 for 1,836 yards and 17 touchdowns. Jon Weems (727 yards, nine touchdowns, 102 carries) gives Westlake a top running threat, and Garrett Hobba (465 yards, nine touchdowns, 63 carries) has been a pleasant surprise for Newbury Park. Both teams have an array of receivers: Joey Cuppari (35 catches), Elliot Kane (28) and Scott Swaving (25) for Westlake, and Chris Garty (40), Jake Farrel (34) and Patrick Reddick (31) for Newbury Park.

* RIO MESA (6-1, 3-1) vs. OXNARD (5-0-2, 3-0-1)

At Oxnard High, 7:30 p.m.

Both teams were 2-8 last season. This year they are challenging for Channel League supremacy. Oxnard, coming off a 14-14 tie with San Marcos that left several players bruised, has an explosive offense. Tailback Desmond Davis leads Ventura County with 937 yards. Rio Mesa’s Delaware-wing T attack is led by quarterback Farhaad Azimi, who has rushed for 241 yards and passed for 632. Carl Richardson has rushed for 622 yards and scored 19 touchdowns.

* NORDHOFF (6-0-1, 1-0) vs. CALABASAS (6-1, 2-0)

At Calabasas High, 7:30 p.m.

This game’s victor has the inside track to the Frontier League title. Calabasas hands the ball to junior Robby Coppola, who has carried 131 times for 1,213 yards and 17 touchdowns. Coyote quarterback Scott Quigley has completed 47 of 92 passes for 939 yards and 14 touchdowns. Nordhoff relies on the running tandem of fullback Russell Farrar and tailback Kevin Zielsdorf. Farrar, recovering from a severely sprained ankle, has carried 96 times for 576 yards and five touchdowns. Zielsdorf has 488 yards and six touchdowns in 95 carries. Quarterback Matt Cresto has completed 27 of 46 for 449 yards and four touchdowns.

Other games:

Southern Section: At 7 p.m., Victory League--Bethel Christian Riverside vs. Vasquez at Rosamond High. At 7:30 p.m., Channel League--Dos Pueblos vs. Buena at Ventura High, Santa Barbara at Hueneme. Del Rey League--Alemany at Bishop Amat, Loyola vs. Crespi at Pierce College. Foothill League--Hart vs. Burbank at Burroughs High, Canyon vs. Saugus at College of the Canyons. Frontier League--Santa Clara at Santa Paula. Golden League--Antelope Valley vs. Highland at Quartz Hill High, Quartz Hill at Palmdale. High Desert League--Paraclete at Kern Valley. Marmonte League--Royal at Camarillo, Simi Valley at Channel Islands, Agoura at Thousand Oaks. Mission League--Serra at Chaminade, Bishop Montgomery at Notre Dame. Pacific League--Pasadena vs. Hoover at Glendale High. Rio Hondo League--La Canada at Temple City. Tri-Valley League--Oak Park at Fillmore, St. Bonaventure at Carpinteria. Nonleague--Kilpatrick vs. Montclair Prep at Valley College, Moorpark vs. Bishop Diego at Santa Barbara City College.

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