A look at today’s key matchups

CITY SECTION 4-A

* WASHINGTON (7-4) vs. TAFT (11-0)

At Taft High, 7 p.m.

For the second week in a row, Taft faces an opponent from the powerful Southern Pacific Conference. Washington finished third in the league and trounced Jefferson, 65-21, in the first round of the playoffs. The Generals have a potent offense, featuring quarterback Johnny Marin and running back Gregory King, but the defense has given up big plays, Coach Rick Mull said. That could be a problem against the Toreadors, who average nearly 39 points a game. Taft’s Nick DiPadova has passed for 2,335 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, throwing most often to receiver Damon Coleman, who has 51 catches for 785 yards and 10 touchdowns. After missing most of last week’s 39-6 playoff victory over Carson, running back Marquis Brignac should be healthy.

* KENNEDY (8-3) vs. SAN PEDRO (11-0)

At Daniels Field, San Pedro, 7 p.m.

If the weather remains calm, the eighth-seeded Golden Cougars have a chance to upset the top-seeded Pirates. Calvin Zinck has passed for 2,045 yards and 24 touchdowns but has struggled in bad weather. Last week against Palisades, Zinck completed only five of 21 passes for 54 yards. Aaron Lewis has 54 receptions for 1,044 yards and 13 touchdowns. San Pedro, champion of the Southern Pacific Conference, was 4-A runner-up last season. The Pirates’ balanced attack is guided by Melvin Yarbrough, who completed 10 of 15 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-7 first-round victory over El Camino Real. Jose Bojorquez had four receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

CITY SECTION 3-A

* NO. HOLLYWOOD (6-5) vs. CANOGA PARK (7-4)

At Canoga Park High, 7 p.m.

These teams met six weeks ago in a Valley Pac-8 Conference game. Canoga Park, which has won six of seven games, won a defensive battle, 14-8. North Hollywood outgained the Hunters, 249-160, but was stopped inside Canoga Park’s 30 on its last two possessions. Quantee Stansberry’s interception of a North Hollywood pass at the Hunters’ five-yard line with 59 seconds left secured the victory. North Hollywood’s Dante Clay, who rushed for 146 yards in 19 carries against Canoga Park, is averaging 8.7 yards a carry and has 17 touchdowns. Canoga Park’s Brian Hickman has completed 107 of 191 passes for 1,536 yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Kevin Carlsen has 49 catches for 724 yards and 17 touchdowns, tight end Michael Shoemaker has caught 19 for 383 yards and running back Junior Galvan has 25 receptions for 335 yards. Galvan, limited to 38 yards in 12 carries by North Hollywood, has rushed for 1,023 yards and 12 touchdowns.

* VAN NUYS (7-4) vs. VERDUGO HILLS (7-4)

At Kennedy High, 7 p.m.

Both teams’ defenses allow 43 yards more on average than they gain offensively. Verdugo Hills has a better offense, Van Nuys the better defense. The Wolves, who are plus-15 in turnover ratio in the last five games, have three victories against City teams which featured the area’s top three running backs. Tonight they face the fourth, Verdugo Hills’ Sean Standley, who has 1,481 yards and 19 touchdowns in 244 carries. Van Nuys, which has won five of six games, is led by Carlos Mack, who has rushed for 1,055 yards and 13 touchdowns. Van Nuys throws only a dozen passes a game. Robert Williamson has completed only 33% of his passes for 594 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions.