THIS WEEK’S TOP FOOTBALL GAMES

Newhall Hart (3-3, 1-0) at Canyon Country Canyon (6-0, 1-0), 7 tonight

In the late 1980s, this Foothill League game was one of the top rivalries in Southern California, but 12 victories in a row by Hart has quelled the excitement, especially because the Indians have won those games by an average of 28 points. A Canyon resurgence, however, keyed to the return of Coach Harry Welch, has the Cowboys off to their best start in years. Conversely, Hart is off to one of its worst. This could be a high-scoring affair because each team features a prolific offense led by a standout quarterback, and each has had problems on defense at times. Canyon averages 50 points per game but allowed 45 last week against Valencia. Cowboy quarterback Nate Longshore has passed for 1,582 yards and 18 touchdowns. His top target is Sean Coen, who has 52 catches for 793 yards and 13 touchdowns. Hart averages 31 points but allows 21. Quarterback Sean Norton has 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns. Kevin Ciccione and Evan Surratt are the leading receivers, with a combined 52 catches for 1,065 yards and 11 touchdowns.

-- Peter Yoon

L.A. Crenshaw (5-1, 1-0) at L.A. Fremont (5-0-1, 1-0), 3 p.m. Friday

This is the start of a series of key games in the competitive Coliseum League. Tough defense, led by linebackers Aaron Huntley and Solomon Elimimian, has always been a Crenshaw trademark, and the Cougars haven’t disappointed in allowing only 32 points. Huntley has also become a force at running back. Fremont’s only blemish is a 12-12 tie against L.A. University, a game Coach Pete Duffy called the worst his team has played this season. Standout lineman Thomas Herring has done a little of everything, but the Pathfinders have also found themselves a tailback in Andre Bouvay. The junior has rushed for 303 yards and scored eight touchdowns in his last two games.

-- Eric Stephens

West Covina South Hills (6-0) at Hacienda Heights Los Altos (6-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Los Altos is No. 9 among Southland teams in The Times’ rankings and South Hills is No. 13; however, both teams are tops in their divisions. South Hills is rated No. 1 in the Southern Section Division VII coaches’ poll, and Los Altos is No. 1 in Division VI. If that’s not enough to fire up the teams, how about the Payton brothers, Bryan and Jeremy of South Hills, taking on UCLA-bound Daniel Drayton and Brigham Harwell of Los Altos? Los Altos Coach Greg Gano once was an assistant to South Hills’ Steve Bogan.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Fountain Valley (4-2, 1-0) vs. Los Alamitos (6-0, 1-0) at Veterans Stadium, 7 p.m. Friday

Los Alamitos has more talent, but that was also the case when the Griffins played Huntington Beach Edison and came from behind to win, 28-21. Los Alamitos is the No. 1 team in the Southland and No. 2 in the state, but it trailed the No. 25 Chargers in the fourth quarter and needed Nathan Quinn’s interception return for a touchdown and an eight-yard scoring drive after a bad snap on a punt attempt. The way to beat the Griffins is to avoid those type of mistakes, which reduce their scoring opportunities. If No. 17 Fountain Valley can control the ball as it did in its 14-13 loss to No. 2 Mission Viejo -- the Barons missed a two-point conversion as time expired -- then it will at least have a chance.

-- Martin Henderson

Compton Dominguez (6-0, 1-0) vs. Lynwood (5-0-1, 1-0) at Lynwood Middle School, 7 p.m. Friday

It’s all about the double wing-T in this San Gabriel Valley League showdown of Division III title contenders. Dominguez uses the formation to launch a power running game behind a behemoth offensive line. Lynwood Coach Jeff Jenkins, who learned the system as an assistant at Dominguez, favors a more balanced attack to take advantage of the passing of Ashlee Palmer. The Knights average nearly 350 yards rushing a game and use several running backs. Marlin Simmons, a transfer from Long Beach Poly and the brother of USC linebacker Melvin Simmons, anchors a Lynwood defense that has recorded four shutouts. Dominguez’s physical offense features quarterback Terry Mixon and running backs Darryl Crummie and Dion Bell. The three seniors have combined to score 27 touchdowns.

-- Rob Fernas

La Habra (4-2, 1-0) at Fullerton (6-0, 1-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Two of the Southland’s better passers square off in this battle for first in the Freeway League. Fullerton quarterback Xavier Hicks has passed for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns. Running back Brian Allen has scored 17 touchdowns. The Indians, ranked No. 1 in Division IX, are averaging 35.2 points. La Habra quarterback Daniel Morales has passed for 1,269 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for seven scores. The Highlanders, No. 3 in Division IX, have scored 40 or more points in three of their four victories.

-- Paul McLeod