GAME DAY / A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

HIGH SCHOOL

* MUIR (5-1, 1-0) vs. CRESCENTA VALLEY (5-1, 1-0)

At Glendale High, 7:30 p.m.

Don’t leave this one early. Muir blocked John Barbaro’s field-goal attempt with 16 seconds left last year to preserve a 15-14 comeback victory. Muir rallied from a 21-14 deficit to defeat the Falcons, 22-21, in 1996. Crescenta Valley has defeated the Mustangs only once since 1978, a 35-28 victory in 1997. This game should decide the league championship. For Crescenta Valley, Scott Vossmeyer has passed for 1,269 yards and 14 touchdowns and Wes Jones has rushed for 509 yards and nine touchdowns, leading an offense that is averaging 362 yards per game. Steve Carballo and Jason Hogan have combined for 12 receiving touchdowns and are each averaging more than 18 yards per catch. The Falcons have scored 104 points in their last two games. They will be challenged by a Muir defense that has not allowed more than 14 points in a game and is yielding an average of only 172 yards. With four talented running backs, Muir is averaging nearly 300 yards rushing a game and gained 504 on the ground last week in a 56-6 rout of Hoover. Lawrence Pruitt rushed for 164 yards in only three carries.

* THOUSAND OAKS (4-2, 2-0) vs. WESTLAKE (5-1, 2-0)

At Westlake High, 7 p.m.

After being crushed by Crescenta Valley and Hart, Thousand Oaks has won four consecutive games and scored 153 points in that span. Santo Riccobono and Ben Olson continue to platoon at quarterback for the Lancers, who put a crimp into Westlake’s Marmonte League championship plans last season by tying the Warriors, 31-31. However, Westlake is favored to win the league title this season and had no problem last week beating Newbury Park, 35-14. Receivers Chris Catalano and Michael Brignac each have six touchdown catches. Running back Julian Lambert, hobbled by an ankle sprain earlier in the season, is gradually returning to form.

* LITTLEROCK (5-1, 1-0) vs. HIGHLAND (3-3, 1-0)

At Highland, 7:30 p.m.

A victory over Highland and another next week over Antelope Valley could all but clinch the Lobos’ second consecutive Golden League title. Littlerock has been the class of the league thus far. Highland’s beleaguered defense was impressive last week in a 17-0 shutout of Palmdale. Linebacker Paul Soto had two interceptions and Jose Duarte kicked three field goals, including a school-record 51-yarder against Palmdale. Highland allowed only 43 yards rushing last week, but will be challenged by Littlerock’s power-pitch offense. Senior Rodney Woods of Littlerock has rushed for 918 yards and 11 touchdowns. Linebacker Marcus Raines had 23 tackles last week in a 9-8 victory over Quartz Hill and is the backbone of a defense that allows a league-best 244 yards per game. These teams are natural rivals, having both joined the league in 1992. Littlerock won last season, 36-17, and leads the series, 5-3.

* SAN FERNANDO (6-0, 1-0) vs. RESEDA (6-0, 1-0)

At Reseda High, 7 p.m.

The teams’ unblemished records are built on rugged running games and strong line play. Junior Bobby Stanley of San Fernando has 674 yards rushing in 130 carries, and junior Eddie Robinson of Reseda has 721 yards in 89 carries. Robinson is complemented by slotback Jason Wagner (410 yards) and fullback Allen Johnson (262). Both defenses are stubborn against the run. San Fernando has allowed only 409 yards rushing and Reseda has allowed 643. Should the outcome turn on a pass play, San Fernando holds the advantage behind Thomas Hoohuli, who passed for 275 yards in a 36-33 victory over Kennedy last week. Hoohuli is efficient, completing 58 of 103 passes for 956 yards and 10 touchdowns. Carlos Hernandez of Reseda has completed 31 of 58 passes for 488 yards and five touchdowns. Reseda was defeated by Chatsworth in its opener but won by forfeit because the Chancellors used an ineligible player.

* TAFT (2-4, 1-0) vs. GRANADA HILLS (5-1, 1-0)

At Granada Hills, 7 p.m.

No one wants to admit it, but this game should decide the West Valley League championship. The teams met last season for the Northwest Valley Conference title, with Granada Hills pulling out a 17-10 victory in overtime. Neither team has the offense it did last season, but each has a top quarterback. Jason Winn of Granada Hills has come on strong since sitting out a game three weeks ago because of a sprained knee. He has passed for 1,218 yards and nine touchdowns. Brandon Hance of Taft has Highlander coaches worried about his scrambling ability. He has passed for 956 yards and 10 touchdowns. Taft received a boost last week with the return of 6-foot-8, USC-bound Gregg Guenther, who had three sacks against El Camino Real. He had been sidelined since the second game because of a shoulder injury. Guard-defensive end Brad Cohn of Granada Hills could be the best lineman in the league. Taft’s inexperienced defense has struggled against running teams. Look for the Highlanders to test the Toreadors with fullback Omari Mack.

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OTHER GAMES

City Section: Sunset Six League, 3 p.m.--North Hollywood at Hollywood; Verdugo Hills at Grant; 7 p.m.--Poly at Canoga Park; Valley Mission League, 7 p.m.--Van Nuys at Sylmar; Kennedy at Monroe; West Valley League, 7 p.m.--Chatsworth at Cleveland; Birmingham at El Camino Real.

Southern Section: Channel League, 7:30 p.m.--San Marcos vs. Buena at Ventura High; Ventura at Dos Pueblos; Foothill League, 7 p.m.--Hart at Burroughs; Canyon vs. Saugus at College of the Canyons; Burbank vs. Valencia at Canyon High; Frontier League, 7 p.m.--Santa Paula at Nordhoff; Malibu at Calabasas; Golden League, 7:30 p.m.--Antelope Valley at Quartz Hill; Lancaster at Palmdale; Marmonte League, 7 p.m.--Royal at Agoura; Moorpark at Newbury Park; Pacific League, 7 p.m.--Hoover vs. Pasadena at Pasadena City College; 7:30 p.m.--Glendale at Arcadia; Pacific View League, 7 p.m.--Camarillo at Oxnard; Hueneme at Rio Mesa; Rio Hondo League, 7:30 p.m.--Blair at La Canada; Tri-Valley League, 7:30 p.m.--Fillmore vs. Carpinteria at Carpinteria Middle School; St. Bonaventure vs. Bishop Diego at Santa Barbara City College; Nonleague, 7 p.m.--Oak Park vs. Santa Clara at Channel Islands High; 7:30 p.m.--Santa Margarita at Alemany; Notre Dame at Serra; Channel Islands at Santa Barbara; Crespi at St. Bernard; St. Francis at Bishop Montgomery; San Luis Obispo at Simi Valley; Montclair Prep vs. Paraclete at Antelope Valley College.

Eight-man: Heritage League, 3 p.m.--L.A. Lutheran at First Lutheran.