GAME DAY / A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

HIGH SCHOOL

* SAN FERNANDO (9-0, 4-0) vs. SYLMAR (6-3, 3-1)

At Sylmar, 7 p.m.

Sylmar, winner of 10 consecutive league championships, is thrust into the unfamiliar role of underdog. A Spartan victory, coupled with a Kennedy victory over Reseda, will result in a three-way tie for the Valley Mission title. Running back Bobby Stanley of San Fernando, who sat out last week, is questionable because of a knee injury. William Lang, his replacement, rushed for 66 yards in a 27-14 victory over Monroe. The Tigers have increasingly relied on the passing of Thomas Hoohuli, who has completed 58.1% of his passes for 1,456 yards and 16 touchdowns. Gerardo Rubi and Jose Montes are his primary receivers. Running back David Contreras of Sylmar has 1,256 yards rushing but has been held under 80 yards the last two games. John Valdez has passed for 923 yards, completing 56.3% of his passes. San Fernando boasts a strong defensive line anchored by Steve Nevarez, Frank Nolasco and Sal Delgaudio. Sylmar’s best defenders are linebackers Josh Martin and Mark Sutton. Spartan center Billy Truax is back after missing several weeks because of an ankle injury, but defensive back Donnell Livingston, who has six interceptions, is out for the season after breaking his clavicle last week. An overflow crowd is expected. The game was sold out by Tuesday.

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TAFT (5-4, 4-0) vs. CLEVELAND (5-4, 3-1)

At Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.

The last team with the ball might win this anticipated shootout featuring speedy big-play performers. If Taft wins, it will finish as West Valley League champion. If Cleveland wins, there could be a three-way tie for the title. Taft has won five consecutive games, and Cleveland has a three-game winning streak. The Cavaliers have five players who can run 100 meters in under 11.0 seconds, making it important for Taft not to miss tackles. Running back James Bethea of Cleveland has surpassed 100 yards rushing in eight of nine games. Matthew Clark is a dangerous kickoff returner. Quarterback Eddie Whitaker, a 6-foot-4 senior, has passed for 15 touchdowns. Taft’s offense is balanced and explosive behind quarterback Brandon Hance, receiver Greig Carlson and running back Lee Marks. After struggling early on, the offensive line has improved. Taft’s defense still hasn’t proven it can stop a top rushing team. The Cavaliers present a major test in preparation for the City playoffs next week.

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VALENCIA (7-2, 3-1) vs. SAUGUS (7-2, 3-1)

At College of the Canyons, 7 p.m.

The winner finishes second in the Foothill League and earns a home game in the first round of the Southern Section Division III playoffs. Valencia whipped Saugus, 47-27, in a regular-season finale last year behind running back Manuel White’s 256-yard, four-touchdown rushing performance. White, who is averaging 8.0 yards a carry, needs 53 yards to become the third player from the region to rush for 6,000 yards in his career. George Keiaho of Buena and Justin Fargas of Notre Dame are the others. Saugus’ defense allows 317 yards a game, but gets a boost with the return of defensive end Charlie Kazmar, who missed the last four games because of a knee injury. Quarterback David Parker and the offense has helped make up for the Centurions’ defensive shortcomings. Parker, who has had only four of 274 passes intercepted, has completed 58% of his passes for 2,286 yards and 29 touchdowns. But Parker faces a stingy Valencia defense adept at getting sacks and making interceptions.

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NEWBURY PARK (5-4, 4-1) vs. THOUSAND OAKS (6-3, 4-1)

At Thousand Oaks High, 7 p.m.

The winner will finish second to Westlake in the Marmonte League. Looking ahead, the outcome also determines who gets a home game next week in the first round of the Division IV playoffs. Both teams have rebounded from dismal starts. Thousand Oaks lost its first two games to Hart and Crescenta Valley by a combined score of 83-28, but since then has only lost to Westlake. Newbury Park lost quarterback Chris Lombardo to injury in the second game of the season but has relied on running back Marcus Crawford, who has rushed for 1,408 yards and 11 touchdowns. Running back Clint Wilson of Thousand Oaks has rushed for 830 yards and seven touchdowns. Thousand Oaks defeated Newbury Park last season, 42-41.

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HIGHLAND (6-3, 4-0) vs. ANTELOPE VALLEY (4-5, 3-1)

At Antelope Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Last season, these teams played for the fourth and final playoff berth from the Golden League. This season, they meet for the league title. A victory gives Highland its first outright title and second overall. Antelope Valley is playing for a share of its sixth league title of the 1990s. Led by linebacker Paul Soto, Highland allows a league-best 265 yards per game and has yielded only 27 points in league play. Quarterback Jeremey White leads the league with 10 touchdown passes, and wingback Kevin Morris has rushed for 593 yards. Few teams have been able to contain Antelope Valley’s triple-option offense, which is averaging a league-best 319 yards per game. Running backs Jermaine Norman, Brandon Stewart, Ron Miller and Jon Molock, and quarterback Demetre Booker have taken turns dominating. Miller scored four touchdowns last week against Palmdale. Highland, which defeated the Antelopes, 28-25, last season, shared its only league championship with Antelope Valley and Palmdale in 1996. Antelope Valley won titles in 1991, ‘92, ’94 and ’95.

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OTHER GAMES

City Section

Sunset Six League: 2:15 p.m.--Verdugo Hills at Hollywood. 7 p.m.--North Hollywood at Canoga Park; Grant at Poly; Valley Mission League: 7:15 p.m.--Monroe at Van Nuys; Reseda at Kennedy; West Valley League: 7 p.m.--El Camino Real at Chatsworth; Granada Hills at Birmingham; Taft at Cleveland.

Southern Section

Alpha League: 7:30 p.m.--Village Christian vs. Paraclete at Antelope Valley College; L.A. Baptist at Pasadena Marshall. Angelus League: 2:30 p.m.--St. Bernard at Harvard-Westlake. Del Rey League: 7:30 p.m.--Alemany at Bishop Amat; Frontier League: 3 p.m.--Santa Paula at Malibu; 7 p.m.--Nordhoff vs. Santa Clara at Channel Islands High; Golden League: 7:30 p.m.--Lancaster at Quartz Hill; Palmdale at Littlerock; High Desert League: 7:30 p.m.: Vasquez at Desert; Marmonte League: 7 p.m.--Westlake at Agoura; 7:30 p.m.--Royal vs. Simi Valley at Moorpark College; Mission League: 7:30 p.m.--Crespi at Notre Dame; St. Francis at Chaminade; Pacific League: 7:30 p.m.--Hoover vs. Glendale at Glendale High; Pacific View League: 7 p.m.--Channel Islands at Camarillo; Hueneme at Oxnard; Prep League: 7 p.m.--Brentwood vs. Flintridge Prep at St. Francis High; Rio Hondo League: 7:30 p.m.--La Canada at South Pasadena; Santa Fe League: 7:30 p.m.--Bell-Jeff vs. St. Genevieve at Birmingham High; Tri-Valley League: 7:30 p.m.--Bishop Diego at Fillmore; Oak Park vs. Carpinteria at Carpinteria Middle School; Nonleague: 3 p.m.--Kilpatrick at Palisades; 7 p.m.--Dos Pueblos at Rio Mesa; 7:30 p.m.--Calabasas vs. St. Bonaventure at Ventura High; Moorpark at Lompoc; Henry Kaiser vs. Montclair Prep at Valley College.

Eight-man playoffs, first round: Large-school Division: 7:30 p.m.--Santa Clarita Christian at Victor Valley Christian; Bakersfield Christian vs. Viewpoint at Calabasas High.