At Huntington Park, a Nice Turn of Events

Huntington Park High won its only City Section football title in 1959. The Spartans are not a threat for the major division championship this season, but they are enjoying an extraordinary start that could serve as a springboard to a rare playoff run.

Huntington Park, which finished 2-8 in each of the last two seasons, is 3-1 under third-year Coach Leroy Wilson going into their Eastern League opener Friday against Garfield. The Spartans defeated Belmont, Los Angeles and Sun Valley Poly and lost to defending City Invitational champion Gardena.

“The kids are standing tall and getting better every week,” said Wilson, who has been coaching in the section for 25 years. “They have faced a very hard, uphill climb, but they see it’s paying off.”

Huntington Park has been led by junior running back Emanuel Montanez, who has rushed for 482 yards in 67 carries and scored four touchdowns. Senior quarterback Danny Martinez and senior running back Danny Cardenas have been instrumental to Huntington Park’s success.

“There are critics out there--people used to condemning our kids because of their lack of success in the past--but the players are showing what talent and hard work can do,” Wilson said. “We have 38 kids that come out every day and give it a go.”

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Light it up: It will be a different kind of homecoming at Marshall on Friday when the Barristers (2-2) play Lincoln (1-3) in a Northern League opener.

For the first time, Marshall will play on campus at night. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. Temporary lights have been brought in, courtesy of the producers of the television show “Boston Public,” which is filmed at Marshall.

“It’s been two years in the planning,” Marshall Coach Ray Avesian said. “We’re going to try and do like everybody else and give our fans and parents an opportunity to get here at a decent hour and see these kids play.”

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Still perfect: Seven teams are unbeaten as league play begins in seven of the section’s eight leagues. Western League play began two weeks ago.

Three teams--Van Nuys Birmingham (4-0), Chatsworth (4-0) and Granada Hills (4-0)--play in the West Valley League. Granada Hills is at Chatsworth on Friday. Other undefeated teams are Crenshaw (3-0) and Fremont (4-0) of the Coliseum League, Carson (4-0) of the Marine League and Roosevelt (4-0) of the Eastern League.

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Don’t be fooled: Wilmington Banning and San Pedro begin Marine League play 0-4 and 1-3, respectively, but both remain among the favorites for the City title. Defending champion Banning lost to Newhall Hart, Crenshaw, Santa Fe Springs St. Paul and Los Angeles Loyola. The Pilots, as per custom under Coach Ed Lalau, implemented different lineups by choice or because of suspensions or injuries. The versatility those situations created will invariably pay off come playoff time.

San Pedro’s losses were against the powerful Coliseum League trifecta of Fremont, Dorsey and Crenshaw. The Pirates lost those games by three, seven and six points. “San Pedro keeps on coming,” Crenshaw running back Corey Hudson said after a 26-20 victory. “They’ll be there at the end.”

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Western showdown: The game between Westchester and Venice on Oct. 26 is likely to decide the Western League title. Westchester has rebounded nicely from its 37-0 season-opening loss to Long Beach Poly with victories over Manual Arts, Hamilton and Fairfax.

Venice lost to Harbor City Narbonne and Santa Monica before scoring 55 in each of the victories over Fairfax and Palisades.

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City top 10: 1. Carson (4-0); 2. Crenshaw (3-0); 3. Van Nuys Birmingham (4-0); 4. Fremont (4-0); 5. Westchester (3-1); 6. Dorsey (2-2); 7. Woodland Hills Taft (3-1); 8. Narbonne (2-2); 9. Granada Hills (4-0); 10. Chatsworth (4-0).