VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : GAME DAY

HIGH SCHOOL

* SAUGUS (2-0) vs. NOTRE DAME (2-0)

At Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m.

By playing top-ranked Notre Dame, the surprising Centurions will learn whether their early success is because of weak opposition or real improvement. Quarterback David Parker has passed for 602 yards and nine touchdowns. Receiver Nathan Steele is averaging 27.6 yards per reception. Saugus’ defense has played well, particularly the defensive line, led by Brent Ybarra and Corey Pearson. Notre Dame’s defense is outstanding, allowing its only points when the third string was on the field. But the Knight offense has had trouble. Quarterback Jonathon Brewster has yet to live up to his summer potential, the offensive line has drawn six holding penalties and no receiver has emerged as a standout target. This is Notre Dame’s final tuneup before a nonleague showdown against Alemany next week.

* WESTLAKE (1-1) vs. El CAMINO REAL (1-1)

At El Camino Real High, 7 p.m.

Westlake Coach Jim Benkert returns to his alma mater (Class of ‘76). Running back Julian Lambert probably will not play because of a sprained ankle suffered last week in a 15-0 loss to Clovis West, ranked No. 10 in the nation by one publication. Chris Catalano, a key member of the Westlake offense, is expected to play although he suffered a sprained ankle last week as well. Warrior quarterback Zac Wasserman, who has committed to Penn State, has thrown for two touchdowns and had six passes intercepted. El Camino Real surprised Chaminade last week, 28-6. Justin Graham ran for two touchdowns and twin brother Jonathan passed for two touchdowns. El Camino Real also stayed close against Dorsey, losing, 18-6. The Conquistadores need to improve their passing game, which averages 69 yards a game.

* BUENA (1-1) vs. NEWBURY PARK (1-1)

At Newbury Park High, 7 p.m.

Are these teams going in different directions? Buena kept things tight in a 42-27 loss to Westlake and poured it on in a 27-3 victory over Rio Mesa last week. Buena running back D.J. Blackledge has rushed for 268 yards and is averaging 9.9 yards per carry. Cody Murphy, who has 10 catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns, continues to chase school receiving records. Quarterback Kyle Loughman, who has led the Bulldogs to two consecutive Channel League championships, has thrown three touchdown passes without an interception. Newbury Park quarterback Cameron Merrill makes his starting debut. Last week, Merrill completed seven of 19 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns in relief of Chris Lombardo, who suffered a season-ending broken leg. Marcus Crawford must rebound from a subpar game against Paso Robles (58 yards in 20 carries). Crawford gained 201 yards in a season opener against Burroughs.

* DORSEY (2-0) vs. TAFT (0-2)

At Taft, 7 p.m.

Opponents aren’t getting any easier for Taft, which is having trouble rebuilding after winning the City Championship. Dorsey hasn’t dominated anyone, defeating San Pedro, 21-17, and El Camino Real, 18-6. Taft Coach Troy Starr believes Dorsey might be the best team in the City Section. Tashiri Williams, a senior running back, and defensive standouts Larrie Neal and Steven Moore lead a fast, athletic Dorsey team. Taft quarterback Brandon Hance has passed for 433 yards and four touchdowns, but has had three passes intercepted. The elusive Lee Marks, who has rushed for 174 yards in 29 carries, provides a solid running threat. Taft receiver-defensive back Chris Morgan has recovered from a knee injury and will play for the first time this season. Tight end-defensive end Gregg Guenther is out with a shoulder injury. Starr will be on the sideline because his one-game suspension was overturned on appeal.

* SYLMAR (1-1) vs. HART (2-0)

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

The only mystery will be Hart’s margin of victory. In the first-ever game between the schools last year, the Indians took a 35-0 halftime lead en route to a bench-clearing 49-26 victory. “We probably played our best half of football of the decade,” Hart Coach Mike Herrington said. Junior quarterback Kyle Matter has looked anything but green in his first two games, completing 67% of his passes for 624 yards and 10 touchdowns. Five receivers have five or more catches. Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman said the Spartans are better prepared this year for Hart’s offense. The Spartans are coming off a morale-boosting, come-from-behind victory over Antelope Valley, in which running back David Contreras rushed for 302 yards.

* ST. BONAVENTURE (2-0) vs. NORDHOFF (1-1)

At Nordhoff, 7:30 p.m.

St. Bonaventure lately has dominated one of Ventura County’s best rivalries, winning three of the last four meetings, including a 29-0 rout last year. The Seraphs, boasting bulky offensive and defensive lines, are proven Division XI contenders after outscoring two opponents, 75-31. No Division XI team from the region has scored more points. The Seraphs overcame three turnovers by quarterback Michael Spargo on their first three possessions to beat Channel Islands, 37-20, last week. Running back Lorenzo Booker has rushed for 256 yards and averages 5.8 yards a carry. Nordhoff faced an opponent similar to St. Bonaventure last week and lost, 14-7, to Santa Ynez. Running back Jessie Hawkins, who has rushed for 189 yards, was limited to 54 yards. Quarterback John Hill has completed 69% of his passes for 259 yards and a touchdown.

* OTHER GAMES

City Section: 3 p.m.--San Fernando at L.A. Jordan. 7 p.m.--South Gate at Granada Hills; Grant at Palisades; San Pedro at Van Nuys; Eagle Rock at Canoga Park; Poly at Chatsworth; North Hollywood at Kennedy; Cleveland at Monroe. 7:30 p.m.--Reseda at Birmingham.

Southern Section: 7 p.m.--Rio Mesa at Agoura; La Canada at Burroughs; Thousand Oaks at Camarillo; Carpinteria at Santa Paula; Valencia at Oxnard; Moorpark at Channel Islands; Crescenta Valley at Simi Valley; Hoover at Mark Keppel; Lancaster at Paramount. 7:30 p.m.--Alemany at Torrance; Bishop Amat at Antelope Valley; Royal at Ventura; Burbank at Gabrielino; Lynwood at Chaminade; Canyon at Quartz Hill; Norwalk at St. Francis; El Segundo at Fillmore; Paraclete at Tehachapi; Vasquez at Silver Valley; Hawthorne at Hueneme; Royal at Ventura; Barstow at Littlerock; Highland at Victor Valley; Ambassador Christian vs. Montclair Prep at Valley College; Bloomington at Palmdale; Faith Baptist vs. Cuyama Valley at Sykes Field in Cuyama Valley; Kilpatrick at Ontario Christian; Village Christian vs. Mary Star at Daniels Field in San Pedro; Muir at Crespi; St. Santa Clara at Frazier Mountain; South Pasadena at Glendale High; Bell-Jeff vs. Southern California Christian at Hart Park in Orange.

Intersectional: 7 p.m.--Calabasas at Verdugo Hills.

Eight-man: 7:30 p.m.--Faith Baptist vs. Cuyama Valley at Sykes Field in Cuyama Valley.