GAME DAY / A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

HIGH SCHOOLS

* NOTRE DAME (3-0) vs. ALEMANY (3-0)

At Alemany High, 7:30 p.m.

Alemany, ranked No. 4 in the region by The Times, has not defeated Notre Dame since 1991 and has been outscored the last three years by the Knights, 111-32. Casey Clausen has thrown 12 touchdown passes without an interception, while De’Andre Scott is averaging 8.1 yards per carry for the Indians. Reggie Kinlaw has five touchdown receptions for Alemany. Notre Dame is ranked No. 3 in the region and receiver Todd Fenton has four touchdown catches. But the Knights have yet to develop a consistent ground game.

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CANYON (3-0) vs. WESTLAKE (3-0)

At Westlake High, 7 p.m.

Westlake, ranked No. 2, features a prolific passing attack. Zac Wasserman has passed for 757 yards and eight touchdowns. Travis Campbell, who has 18 receptions for 205 yards and five touchdowns, is unlikely to play because of a slight shoulder separation, but the Westlake receiver corps is deep. Chris Catalano has 13 catches for 211 yards and tight end Mike Seidman, who has 18 catches for 271 yards, is the team’s best all-around player. Julian Lambert, who has 41 carries for 405 yards, provides ample balance. Canyon, ranked No. 7, counters with a defense that has allowed only 183 yards passing in three games. Julio DeLeon and Justin Davis are the top defensive backs. Linebacker David Johnson has been a force for the Cowboys with double figures in tackles in three consecutive games. Canyon must use running backs Jimmy Perry and Drew Welch to control the ball and keep the Westlake offense off the field.

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ROYAL (1-2) vs. NEWBURY PARK (2-1)

At Newbury Park High, 7 p.m.

This Marmonte League opener features a Newbury Park team that is winning by sheer force of its offense, ranked second in the region with 445 yards per game. Nick Czernek passed for 349 yards last week, hitting receiver Cause Hanna for three touchdowns. But Czernek is prone to having passes intercepted and his defense surrenders an average of 230 yards rushing. That could spell trouble against Royal, which has running back Steve Sheehan. The senior is off to a slow start, gaining 184 yards in 54 carries, but he scored three touchdowns last week.

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CHATSWORTH (3-0) vs. KENNEDY (2-1)

At Canoga Park High, 7 p.m.

The Golden Cougars will be tested against what is rapidly becoming one of the best passing games in the City Section. Junior Matt Cassel has made spectacular plays every game and is fourth in the region with 724 yards passing for Chatsworth. Mark Harris has 14 receptions, Reggie Lee has 10 and Eric Harris has eight for the Chancellors. Kennedy will try to keep the ball out of Cassel’s hands with a solid running game and short passing attack. Sophomore Jerome Williams starts at tailback for the Golden Cougars but seniors Jason Jones and David Burney will get playing time. Ruben Zaragoza has completed 61.1% of his passes.

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SAN FERNANDO (3-0) vs. EL CAMINO REAL (1-1-1)

At Kennedy High, 7 p.m.

The winner of this Northwest Valley Conference opener could be determined by who has a healthier leg, Larry Brown or DeAngelo Nedd. Brown, San Fernando’s quarterback, didn’t play until the fourth quarter last week, but came off the bench to lead the game-winning drive in a 26-24 victory over Grant. Nedd played one ineffective series in El Camino Real’s 27-6 loss to Westlake. Nedd is the second-leading rusher with 186 yards for the ground-dependent Conquistadores, who have completed five passes in three games. The Tigers were 3-0 in the nonconference season for the first time since 1991, but El Camino Real has had the tougher schedule, playing Chaminade, Westlake and Dorsey.

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ANTELOPE VALLEY (0-2-1) vs. COMPTON DOMINGUEZ (2-1)

At Dominguez High, 7:30 p.m.

The Southland’s toughest nonleague schedule has taken its toll on Antelope Valley, which will play without injured defensive back Chasio Gaines and lineman Anthony Lopez. Linebacker Ron Miller is questionable. After losses to Bakersfield and Bishop Amat, and a tie with Sylmar, the Antelopes face a Dominguez team bent on avenging a 28-25 loss in the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs last season. Quarterback Everett Smith may be the best athlete Antelope Valley has faced. Senior linebacker Melvin Simmons is the leader of the Dons’ defense. Dominguez lost by a touchdown in its opener to Santa Margarita, two-time defending Division V champion.

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PALMDALE (2-1) vs. HART (2-1)

At College of the Canyons, 7 p.m.

Palmdale has won consecutive Golden League titles and established itself as one of the region’s best programs, but the Falcons have been unable to topple Hart. The Indians, ranked No. 1 in the region and seventh in the state, have won five consecutive meetings, including two last season. Kyle Boller of Hart has passed for 1,092 yards and 13 touchdowns, both region highs, and leads an offense that has rolled up 510 yards a game, also a region high. Running back Billy Brecht is averaging 10 yards per carry and 99 yards a game. Palmdale averages 256 yards while yielding 297 per game. Defensive back Shane Johnson vs. receiver Jerry Owens of Hart, who is averaging 22.4 yards per catch and has five touchdowns, is a key matchup. Quarterback Johnathan Thompson is Palmdale’s top offensive threat and has rushed for 187 yards.

Other games today:

City Section--Northern Conference: 3 p.m., Verdugo Hills at L.A. Marshall; Northwest Valley Conference: 7 p.m., Birmingham at Granada Hills, Cleveland at Taft; Valley Pac-8 Conference: 7:30 p.m., Canoga Park at North Hollywood, Grant at Monroe, Sylmar at Poly, Reseda at Van Nuys.

Southern Section--Marmonte League: 7 p.m., Agoura at Thousand Oaks, Moorpark at Simi Valley; Nonleague: 7 p.m., Oak Park at Santa Paula, San Marcos at Oxnard, Chaminade vs. Valencia at Canyon High, Calabasas at Channel Islands, Buena at Camarillo, Lancaster at Muir, Glendale at Burbank Burroughs; 7:30 p.m., St. Francis at Pasadena High, Highland at Fresno Clovis West, Kilpatrick vs. Montclair Prep at Valley College, GARCES vs. Paraclete at Antelope Valley College, Saugus at Quartz Hill, St. Bonaventure at Santa Maria St. Joseph, L.A. Baptist at Fillmore, Temple City vs. Hoover at Glendale High, Rio Mesa at Ventura, Rosamond at Littlerock, Crescenta Valley at La Canada, Atascadero at Hueneme, Village Christian at Frazier Mountain, Santa Clara vs. Bishop Diego at Santa Barbara City College.

Eight-man--3 p.m., Faith Baptist at First Lutheran; 7 p.m., Grace Brethren vs. Pilgrim at Excelsior High.