GAME DAY / A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

HIGH SCHOOL

* KENNEDY (7-3) vs. SYLMAR (7-3)

At Sylmar, 7 p.m.

Coach Jeff Engilman of Sylmar won’t need to give any pep talks before this City Championship playoff opener. Kennedy ended the Spartans’ 69-game league winning streak, 21-20, on Oct. 29. But execution on offense might be more important than revenge for Sylmar. Quarterback John Valdez is crucial to the Spartans’ success, having completed 58% of his passes. The balance of Valdez and running back David Contreras presents a severe challenge for Kennedy. But the Golden Cougars fear no one. Quarterback Ruben Zaragoza confidently directs Kennedy’s run-and-shoot offense and leads City Section passers with 2,586 yards and 29 touchdowns. Receiver James Norris has 15 touchdown catches, tops in the region. Sylmar’s defense is led by junior linebackers Mark Sutton and Josh Martin. Their ability to pressure Zaragoza will be a key. The winner will play either Crenshaw or Bell in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

* GRANADA HILLS (8-2) vs. SAN FERNANDO (9-1)

At San Fernando High, 7 p.m.

One of the Valley’s most storied rivalries resumes. No. 9-seeded Granada Hills is tri-champion of the West Valley League and No. 8 San Fernando is tri-champion of the Valley Mission League but the teams finished with decidedly different results. Granada Hills is coming off a 56-0 victory over Birmingham while San Fernando suffered its first loss last week, getting buried by Sylmar, 31-6. Running back Bobby Stanley, who had 1,097 yards rushing in eight games for San Fernando, is nursing a knee injury. He was held to 71 yards by Sylmar. Quarterback Thomas Hoohuli is one the Tigers’ best passers ever, completing 106 of 189 for 1,599 yards and 17 touchdowns but he was ineffective against the Spartans. The Tigers allows an average of only 224 yards a game but must bounce back against a potent Granada Hills attack that averages 378 yards. Quarterback Jason Winn has passed for more than 2,000 yards for the second consecutive season and has thrown touchdown passes to eight receivers. Hard-running fullback Omari Mack has 862 yards, but halfback Robert Ortega, who has 401 yards rushing, 404 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, probably is out because of a back injury.

* CLEVELAND (6-4) vs. DORSEY (8-2)

At Jackie Robinson Stadium, Los Angeles 7 p.m.

Behind James Bethea and his speedy sidekicks, Cleveland is one of the City’s hottest teams. The No. 12-seeded Cavaliers earned a share of their first league title since 1978 by beating Taft last week behind Bethea’s 282 yards rushing, giving him 1,806 yards and 29 touchdowns for the season. Quarterback Eddie Whitaker doesn’t pass often, but he makes them count. He has 1,246 yards and 15 touchdowns in 75 completions. Receivers Ontae Chaney and Matthew Clark are dangerous after they catch the ball. No. 5 Dorsey, which finished second in the Coliseum League, has lost only to Crenshaw on the field. Its other loss was by forfeit to Washington. Primary ballcarrier Tashiri Williams has been hobbled by injuries but the Dons’ wing-T attack poses several threats behind two 390-pound tackles. Dorsey, which last won the City title in 1995, has seven former players in the NFL, more than any City program.

* TAFT (5-5) vs. SAN PEDRO (8-2)

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

No. 10-seeded Taft won its first four West Valley League games and appeared poised to make a serious bid at defending its City Championship. However, a 28-26 loss to Cleveland last week raises the same doubts that surfaced during a 1-4 nonleague stretch. The Toreadors’ defense is porous and the linemen are smaller than average. No. 7 San Pedro might be the City’s biggest team, both on the line and in the backfield. Taft, however, is potent on offense. Brandon Hance has passed for 2,040 yards and 15 touchdowns, 10 to wide receiver Greig Carlson. Lee Marks has rushed for 1,357 yards and Hance has rushed for 17 touchdowns. San Pedro finished second in the Marine League behind No. 1-seeded Carson and lost only to Dorsey and Carson. Jabari Meador and James Harper are the top running backs and Gustavo Navarro threw three touchdown passes last week.

* OTHER CITY CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF GAMES

2 p.m.--No. 16 North Hollywood (5-5) at No. 1 Carson (8-2); 7 p.m.--No. 15 Canoga Park (6-4) at No. 2 Franklin (10-0).

* CITY INVITATIONAL PLAYOFF GAMES

2 p.m.--No. 16 El Camino Real (4-6) at No. 1 Banning (5-4); 7 p.m.--No. 9 Marshall (6-4) at No. 8 Poly (5-4); No. 13 Manual Arts (5-5) at No. 4 Reseda (7-3); No. 11 Narbonne (5-5) at No. 6 Monroe (6-4); No. 10 Eagle Rock (8-2) at No. 7 Chatsworth (3-7).