GAME DAY / A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

HIGH SCHOOL

* CRESCENTA VALLEY (1-0) vs. ST. FRANCIS (1-0)

At St. Francis High, 7:30 p.m.

These schools are natural rivals but, until last year, they hadn’t met since the 1970s. Crescenta Valley won, 28-14, last year. This season, both believe they have their best teams in recent memory. Crescenta Valley has a mammoth line, led by Ryan Morris, Rusty Colborn and Donald Dorroh. Quarterback Scott Vossmeyer completed 13 of 16 passes for 148 yards in a 35-21 victory over Thousand Oaks. Receiver Steve Carballo caught six passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. St. Francis, which upset defending Pacific League champion Arcadia, 26-16, last week, relies on a balanced offense. Quarterback John Sciarra passed for 115 yards to complement running backs Jimmy Knauf and Matt Milton, who combined for 202 yards and three touchdowns in 40 carries.

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CHATSWORTH (0-1) vs. ALEMANY (1-0)

At Alemany High, 7:30 p.m.

Is this USC vs. Tennessee or Alemany vs. Chatsworth? Fans of the Trojans and Volunteers are expected to turn out for the matchup of outstanding senior quarterbacks. Casey Clausen of Alemany, bound for Tennessee, began the season by passing for 324 yards and five touchdowns against Hueneme. Matt Cassel of Chatsworth, bound for USC, passed for 322 yards and four touchdowns against Reseda, which won by forfeit because Chatsworth had an ineligible player. Two other players to watch are receivers Derek Goodman of Alemany and Lucius Duper of Chatsworth. Both are small but elusive. Chatsworth gave up 507 total yards last week, so an improved defense is needed to stay with the Indians. Alemany’s defense has improved since last season because of linebacker Jason Will, who moved from defensive end.

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KENNEDY (1-0) vs. PALMDALE (0-1)

At Palmdale High, 7:30 p.m.

Kennedy’s new run-and-shoot attack was prolific in a 42-13 victory over Poly. Ruben Zaragosa threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns, completing 22 of 32 passes. James Norris and Sanders Trent each had eight receptions, Paul Holifield averaged 23 yards on three catches and Daron Taylor averaged 26.7 yards on three catches. On one drive, Zaragosa passed for 99 yards and the Golden Cougars accumulated 113 yards to overcome 25 yards in penalties. The Palmdale offense was unimpressive in a 20-14 loss to Barstow. Quarterbacks Terry Furlow and Michael Johnson combined to complete only three of 12 passes, although Johnson hit Travis Morse twice for a total of 92 yards and a touchdown. Jamil Smith (eight carries for 43 yards) and Anthony Diggs (seven carries for 35 yards) share the rushing duties. Palmdale was outgained, 317-192.

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PENINSULA (1-0) vs. VALENCIA (1-0)

At Canyon High, 7 p.m.

This one could get ugly for Valencia, which is banged up after a 27-13 victory over Highland. Because of injuries, the Vikings were without five starters at different times in the game. Quarterback Zack Sapp will be out several weeks because of a sprained ankle. Tailback Manuel White, who rushed for 222 yards in 28 carries in the opener, is healthy, but his line will have its hands full against physical Peninsula. The Panthers, ranked No. 5 in Southern Section Division II, manhandled Division I Long Beach Wilson in a 36-23 victory. Peninsula’s defense forced five three-and-out series, helping the ball-control offense score on six consecutive possessions. The game wasn’t as close as the score--Peninsula led 36-7 lead after three quarters. “We might be a little outmanned this week,” Valencia Coach Brian Stiman said.

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PASO ROBLES (1-0) vs. NEWBURY PARK (1-0)

At Newbury Park High, 7 p.m.

Call it successful scheduling. Looking to beef up its nonconference competition, Newbury Park scheduled the defending Division X champion. Newbury Park plays plenty of passing teams in the Marmonte League, but this is a chance to play a physical team that runs the ball like potential playoff opponents San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande. Newbury Park needs improvement on both sides of the ball after a lethargic 27-14 victory over Burroughs. Quarterback Chris Lombardo completed only 10 of 22 passes, with three interceptions. Running back Marcus Crawford carried the offense, rushing for 201 yards and three touchdowns in 26 carries. Paso Robles relies primarily on running back Andre Nickelson, who could surpass 1,500 yards this season. “We did not play defense very well [against Burroughs],” Newbury Park Coach George Hurley said. “We have to do a better job of tackling or they’re probably going to score 100.”

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OTHER GAMES:

City Section: 3 p.m.--Taft at Locke; Franklin at Grant; San Fernando at Los Angeles. 7 p.m.--Cleveland at Reseda; Verdugo Hills at Belmont; Canoga Park at Monroe; Birmingham at Van Nuys. 7:30 p.m.--L.A. Wilson at Poly.

Southern Section: 7 p.m.--Agoura at Camarillo; Oak Park at Calabasas; Granite Hills at Santa Paula; Mary Star vs. Santa Clara at Channel Islands High. 7:30 p.m.--Rio Mesa vs. Buena at Ventura High; Burroughs at Notre Dame; Cathedral vs. Burbank at Burroughs High; Crespi at Quartz Hill; Canyon at Highland; Hart at Thousand Oaks; Nordhoff at Santa Ynez; Paraclete vs. St. Monica at St. Bernard High; Simi Valley vs. Saugus at College of the Canyons; Oxnard at St. Paul; Lancaster at Sultana; Littlerock vs. Silverado at Victor Valley High; Kilpatrick at Cerritos Valley Christian; South Pasadena vs. Hoover at Glendale High; Ventura at Moorpark; Village Christian at Fillmore.

Intersectional: 7 p.m.--Harvard-Westlake at North Hollywood; Granada Hills at Royal. 7:30--Sylmar at Antelope Valley; Chaminade at El Camino Real.

Eight-man: 3 p.m.--Calvary Chapel at First Lutheran. 7:30 p.m.--Faith Baptist at Rio Hondo Prep.