Game Day

NCAA DIVISION III

* CAL LUTHERAN (1-0) at PACIFIC LUTHERAN (0-0)

At Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, Wash., 1:30 p.m.

Last week, the Kingsmen avenged an opening loss last season by defeating Menlo College, 24-21, and have an opportunity today to avenge their most lopsided defeat last season. Pacific Lutheran romped over Cal Lutheran, 45-23, in the first meeting between the teams since 1979. The Lutes are inexperienced. Gone are their top three tacklers and all-conference performers at quarterback, wide receiver, running back and tackle. Fullback Anthony Hicks, a 225-pound junior transfer from Washington, will get a lot of carries. The quarterback is sophomore Chad Johnson, grandson of Lute Coach Frosty Westering and nephew of offensive coordinator Scott Westering. Johnson is filling in for senior Mark Andrus, who broke his right thumb during a scrimmage last week. Cal Lutheran displayed a potent running game against Menlo, bouncing back from a 14-0 deficit behind Dorian Stitt, who had 112 yards in 22 carries, and Fredrik Nanhed, who gained 87 yards in 13 carries. Zack Hernandez completed 12 of 22 passes for 126 yards. Coach Scott Squires of Cal Lutheran played guard and linebacker under Westering, 70, on Pacific Lutheran’s NAIA Division II national championship team in 1987. Westering’s record is 256-81-7 in 35 years.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

* ANTELOPE VALLEY vs. GROSSMONT

At Grossmont, 3 p.m.

The Marauders, ranked 12th in the state, begin their 52nd season and 29th under Coach Brent Carder, who has a 160-123-5 record. Antelope Valley, 7-4 last season and second in the Foothill Conference, will compete this season in the Foothill Conference North Division with Chaffey, Citrus, San Bernardino and Victor Valley. Sophomores Tyree Booker and Jan Brown return at running back, but freshmen Kasey Young, Andrew Campbell and Nick Olivares also will play. Sophomore Justin Holtfreter is expected to start at quarterback. Grossmont slipped to 5-5 last season after a 9-2 mark in 1996. Eight defensive starters return. Quarterback Bryan Halsey and running back Corey Ransom assume starting roles after rotating last season.

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* VICTOR VALLEY vs. GLENDALE

At Glendale High, 1 p.m.

Sophomore tailback Darrell Durham (6-1, 218) of Glendale, 2-8 last season, led the Western State Conference with 1,500 yards rushing. Durham, who scored 16 touchdowns, was an all-state selection and ranked seventh in the WSC in total yards. The offensive line has two returning starters, including tight end Brian Gelt, but tackle Jim Ghezzi has transferred to UCLA. Chris Cervantes, who passed for 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns last season, will start. The Vaqueros’ defense has four returning starters. Victor Valley, 2-8 last season, finished last in the Foothill Conference, scoring only 98 points. The Vaqueros defeated Victor Valley, 51-7, in the final game last year. Defensive tackle Otis Neal was a second-team all-conference selection last season for the Rams.

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* SAN DIEGO MESA vs. PIERCE

At Pierce, 4 p.m.

Pierce has a 28-game losing streak, a taboo topic among coaches and players. Emphasis is on a passing attack directed by sophomore Calvin Zinck, a transfer from Moorpark. Vaughn Corley ranked second in the WSC last season with 70 catches, seven for touchdowns. Basil Duncantell had 53 receptions, two for touchdowns. Add receiver Damon Coleman, who played at Taft High and transferred from Eastern Arizona. The offensive line has two returning starters.

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* CANYONS vs. DESERT

At Desert, 7 p.m.

Canyons, with new players and new uniforms, is anxious to put the ball on the tee after resurrecting its program following a 17-year hiatus. Coach Chuck Lyon will start freshman Peter Dirksen from L.A. Baptist High at quarterback over Chris Kobe, who transferred from Cal State Northridge, and sophomore Kevin Carrasco. Desert was 2-8 last season, finishing eighth in the Foothill Conference. Safety Eric Lumpkin was a second-team all-league selection.

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* COMPTON vs. VENTURA

At Ventura High, 7 p.m.

Considering the abundance of freshmen on the roster, Ventura might be in for another long season after going 1-9 last year. Sophomore Brian Shubin, a transfer from Texas Christian who played at Westlake High, won the starting job at quarterback over Brian Rucker, a part-time starter last season. All-conference wide receiver Dominic Delillio led Ventura with 34 receptions last season. Defensive back Rashadd Cousins, the team’s top defender, will be sidelined for at least three games because of a broken thumb.