VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : GAME DAY: A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

HIGH SCHOOL

NOTRE DAME (0-0) vs. SYLMAR (0-0)

At Sylmar High, 7:30 p.m.

Before John Valdez has played his first 11-man game, he has prompted a rare prediction from Coach Jeff Engilman of Sylmar. “I will go out on the limb and say he’s the best [quarterback] I’ve had,” Engilman said. Valdez, a junior who played eight-man football last season at L.A. Lutheran, will make his debut against perhaps the toughest defense in the region. Notre Dame returns seven starters, headed by Travis Johnson, rated the No. 1 defensive lineman in the nation. Crucial to Sylmar’s hopes will be the running of David Contreras. Senior Jonathon Brewster takes over at quarterback for the Knights. He showed potential during the summer, leading Notre Dame to its first passing tournament title in Kevin Rooney’s 20 years as coach.

* KENNEDY (0-0) at POLY (0-0)

At Poly High, 7 p.m.

Kennedy, 7-4 last season, unveils its run-and-shoot attack with Ruben Zaragosa, a mobile passer, and receivers Sanders Trent, James Norris, Daron Taylor and Paul Holifield--all 5-10 or shorter. Safety Clifford Mack and sophomore inside linebacker Brandon Robinson head the defense. Three years ago, Poly was one of the most downtrodden programs in the City. Co-coaches Lee Jackson and Bobby Mesa have infused enthusiasm and pride. David Valencia, a senior, rushed for 449 yards and five touchdowns, and quarterback Zach Jones, a junior, started at free safety.

* HUENEME (0-0) vs. ALEMANY (0-0)

At Alemany High 7:00 p.m.

Alemany routed Hueneme last season, 46-21, but the Vikings have improved. Receiver Keary Colbert of Hueneme scored nine touchdowns and had an average of 24.8 yards per catch last season. Hueneme must replace nearly 2,000 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns from graduated tailback Donald Thompson. Alemany needs to rack up victories now because a difficult schedule looms with games against Santa Margarita, Bishop Amat and Loyola. Quarterback Casey Clausen, who has committed to Tennessee, and junior running back De’Andre Scott helped the Indians average 31.4 points per game last season.

* ST. BONAVENTURE (0-0) vs. PARACLETE (1-0)

At Antelope Valley College, 7:30 p.m.

Paraclete, which won the Division XI title in 1997 and Division XII last season, defeated the Seraphs, 27-26, last season after falling behind, 20-3. Rob Fockaert passed for 189 yards and a touchdown and ran for two scores for Paraclete, which stopped a late two-point conversion. Michael Washington had 222 all-purpose yards and Curtis Brown ran for 112 yards and four touchdowns last week in a 37-24 victory at Minneapolis De La Salle. St. Bonaventure, Division X champion in 1996, might have its best team. Michael Spargo takes over for quarterback Chris Lombardo, who transferred to Newbury Park. St. Bonaventure leads the series, 4-3, but has lost two in a row to the Spirits, who have not lost to a Southern Section team since 1996.

OTHER GAMES

City Section: 3 p.m., Manual Arts at Grant; Van Nuys at Hamilton; 7 p.m., Jefferson at San Fernando.

Southern Section: 7 p.m., Saugus at Royal; San Marcos at Rio Mesa; Santa Barbara at Oxnard; Glendale at Alhambra; Don Bosco vs. Santa Clara at Channel Islands High; Village Christian at Santa Paula; Chaminade at Lancaster; 7:30 p.m., Antelope Valley at Bakersfield; Nordhoff at Moorpark; Malibu at Fillmore; Valencia at Highland; Etiwanda at Littlerock; St. Francis at Arcadia; Palmdale at Barstow; Bell-Jeff at Desert; Kilpatrick at Silver Valley; Eight-man: 7:30 p.m., Antelope Valley Christian vs. Christian Center Academy at San Bernardino High.

Intersectional: 7:30 p.m., Crespi vs. Narbonne at Serra High; Monroe vs. Hoover at Glendale High; Eagle Rock at La Canada.