GAME DAY / A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

HIGH SCHOOL

* SAUGUS (4-1) vs. HART (5-0)

At College of the Canyons, 7:30 p.m.

For all the talk about Hart’s high-powered offense, defense has keyed a 5-0 start. The Indians have quickness and size, with linebacker Pat Norton, strong safety Garrett Fuller and lineman Peter Dubsky. But they haven’t faced a quarterback the quality of David Parker of Saugus, who has completed 63% of his passes and had only one intercepted. “If a receiver has a step, [Parker] puts the ball on the money, so that’s a little scary,” defensive coordinator Rick Herrington of Hart said. Saugus proved in a 28-13 loss to Notre Dame it can move the ball against a top defense. The Indians showed last week against Loyola they can run the ball if needed with sophomore tailback Tim Gregory. Norton, who attended Saugus as a freshman, will match up against receiver-defensive back Nathan Steele, his friend since they played T-ball as 4-year-olds. Hart has a 38-game Foothill League winning streak dating to 1990.

* VENTURA (5-0) vs. SAN MARCOS (3-2)

At San Marcos High, 7:30 p.m.

Ventura, one of the surprise teams in the region, opens Channel League play with perhaps its toughest opponent to date. San Marcos, after losing to Rio Mesa and Righetti by a combined 64-0 margin, has won three consecutive games, including a 24-20 victory over Santa Ynez last week. Running back Carlos Santano has rushed for nearly 600 yards in the Royals’ last three games. Tyler Ebell of Ventura has rushed for 732 yards and 15 touchdowns but was held under 100 yards last week for the first time. For common game theorists, Ventura defeated Oxnard last week, 21-20. San Marcos defeated Oxnard two weeks ago, 29-20.

* SYLMAR (3-2) vs. MONROE (5-0)

At Monroe High, 7 p.m.

Sylmar, winner of 67 consecutive league games, will try to tie a state record in a Valley Mission League opener. Tailback David Contreras, who has rushed for 784 yards and scored 56 points, will play despite a shoulder injury. Tackle Gilbert Sandoval moves to center because starter Billy Truax is out because of a knee injury. Linebackers Mark Sutton and Josh Martin must stop Monroe backs Tyrone Burwell and DeAndre Phillips. Burwell (6-foot-2, 230 pounds) has 553 yards and seven touchdowns. Phillips has 499 yards and eight touchdowns. Sylmar has completed only 36 passes for 342 yards while Monroe has completed 19 for 376 yards. Although Monroe is unbeaten under first-year Coach Chris Richards, its nonleague competition paled compared to that of Sylmar, which lost to Notre Dame and Hart.

* SAN FERNANDO (5-0) vs. KENNEDY (3-2)

At Kennedy High, 7 p.m.

The unbeaten Tigers rely on the running of rugged Bobby Stanley (583 yards and seven touchdowns in four games), and infrequent but effective passing of Thomas Hoohuli (41 of 68 passes for 681 yards) behind perhaps the league’s best line. Ruben Zaragoza of Kennedy has completed 106 of 162 passes for 1,216 yards and 10 touchdowns, and has four receivers with at least 17 receptions. A strong group of San Fernando defensive backs that includes Gerardo Rubi, Dominic Lugo and William Lang, will get their strongest test. The Golden Cougars have had trouble scoring in consecutive losses to Taft, 24-19, and Granada Hills, 14-6. San Fernando beat up four relatively weak opponents before defeating Taft, 25-20, last week.

* CLEVELAND (3-2) vs. GRANADA HILLS (4-1)

At Granada Hills High, 7 p.m.

Cleveland has the most prolific offense among City teams in the region, averaging 382.8 yards a game. Granada Hills is next with an average of 381.2 yards. Cleveland, which has 111 points in its last two games, has James Bethea, who has rushed for 910 yards and 12 touchdowns in 91 carries. Quarterback Eddie Whitaker has three deep threats in Ontae Chaney, Matthew Clark and Edwin Roberson. Quarterback Jason Winn of Granada Hills rebounded quickly from an injury two weeks ago and has completed 63 of 112 passes for 925 yards and eight touchdowns. Anthony Rodriguez averages 28.3 yards on 17 receptions. Omari Mack is the Highlanders’ primary ballcarrier with 480 yards, but Robert Ortega had a breakout game last week in a 14-6 victory over Kennedy, accumulating 179 yards rushing and receiving.

* OTHER GAMES

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

Southern Section: Alpha League: 7:30 p.m.--Kilpatrick vs. L.A. Baptist at Alemany High; Foothill League: 7 p.m.--Valencia at Burroughs; Burbank at Canyon; Frontier League: 7 p.m.--Santa Clara at Calabasas; Golden League: 7:30 p.m.--Antelope Valley at Lancaster; Palmdale at Highland; Quartz Hill at Littlerock; High Desert League: Kern Valley vs. Vasquez at Antelope Valley High; Marmonte League: 7 p.m.--Simi Valley at Thousand Oaks; Moorpark at Royal. Pacific League: 7:30 p.m.--Crescenta Valley vs. Glendale at Glendale High. Pacific View League: 7 p.m.--Camarillo at Hueneme; Rio Mesa at Channel Islands; Rio Hondo League: 7:30 p.m.--Temple City at La Canada; Nonleague: 7 p.m.--St. Monica at Agoura; Fillmore at Santa Paula; 7:30 p.m.--Alemany vs. Servite at CS Fullerton; Oxnard vs. Buena at Ventura High; St. Bernard at Chaminade; Serra at Crespi; Notre Dame at Bishop Montgomery; Riverside Bethel Christian vs. Montclair Prep at Valley College.

Eight-man: Agape League: 7 p.m.--Antelope Valley Christian at Victor Valley Christian; Heritage League: 3 p.m.--Grace Brethren at First Lutheran.