THIS WEEK’S TOP FOOTBALL GAMES

Westlake Village Westlake (2-0) vs. Newhall Hart (0-2) at College of the Canyons, tonight, 7:30

Westlake quarterback Rudy Carpenter, a transfer from Newbury Park, made quite an impression in carving up Sherman Oaks Notre Dame last week and now must back it up against an equally tough opponent. Look for Hart, ranked No. 8 by The Times, to come out hungry after losing its first two games by a total of 10 points. Hart hasn’t started a season 0-3 since 1985. Westlake, ranked No. 6, has lost its last two meetings with Hart, but ended the Indians’ 25-game winning streak with a 23-13 victory in 2000. Hart quarterback Sean Norton passed for 389 yards last week in a loss to St. Bonaventure, but the Indians must get running back Dan Howell going. Howell rushed for 165 yards in the opener, but had only 41 last week.

-- Peter Yoon

Wilmington Banning (2-0) at Manhattan Beach Mira Costa (2-0), tonight, 7

In a rematch of teams that produced an exciting 26-22 Mira Costa victory last year, an entertaining battle probably will ensue between Banning’s standout running back Patrick Perry and the Mustangs’ tough defense. Perry, one of the Southland’s top recruits, ran for 223 yards in a 20-7 victory over Compton last week, but in Mira Costa (2-0), he faces a unit that hasn’t given up a point. Though Mira Costa, The Times’ No. 25-ranked team, is coming off a 23-0 victory over Downey Warren, its passing game has been nearly nonexistent. Quarterback Brian Seidensticker attempted only three passes and completed none last week. Running back Tyler Pringle is the workhorse for the Mustangs.

-- Eric Stephens

Corona Centennial (2-0) vs. Fresno Clovis West (2-0-1) at Clovis Buchanan HS, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Centennial is No. 6 in the state rankings, No. 3 in The Times’ rankings and No. 1 in the Southern Section Division V coaches’ poll, but the Huskies will have their hands full. Central Section power Clovis West is ranked No. 19 in the state and is thriving under its new coach, Jim Hartigan, who last season coached at Santa Margarita. Centennial needs a solid performance by quarterback Chris Keating to keep the Clovis West defense honest, because it will be targeting running back Terrell Jackson (292 yards, eight touchdowns).

-- Martin Henderson

Santa Ana Mater Dei (0-2) vs. Riverside North (2-0) at Riverside College, Friday, 7 p.m. While North, No. 4 in The Times’ rankings, is headed in the right direction, No. 13 Mater Dei is still trying to find its way and avoid a three-game losing streak. The last time that happened was 2001, when the Monarchs lost to Mission Viejo, Concord De La Salle and Huntington Beach Edison after beating Fallbrook in the season opener. To avoid the skid, the Monarchs will have to capitalize on opportunities they’ve missed in the first two games, as well as find an answer for the Huskies’ speed and multifaceted wing-T offense. North features the Morton twins -- quarterback Dion and wide receiver Damon -- and running back Josh Barnett (239 yards and two touchdowns in 33 carries).

-- Martin Henderson

Palmdale (2-0) at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (1-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

In 23 years of coaching, Kevin Rooney of Notre Dame never had a team make so many mistakes as the Knights did in their 31-7 loss to Westlake Village Westlake last Friday. From penalties to turnovers, 12th-ranked Notre Dame kept finding ways to falter. With all-league linebacker K.C. Croal back from a thigh injury, the Knights figure to have an improved effort. But they’ll need it against a Palmdale team that outscored its first two opponents, 96-16.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Anaheim Servite (2-0) at Chino (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Early-season results have shown that these teams can put points on the board, so the key will be which defense steps up. Servite, behind sophomore running back Ken Ashley, has averaged 32 points a game. Ashley rushed for a school-record five touchdowns last week. Chino, ranked No. 16 by The Times, has averaged 36 points a game. Quarterback Aaron Garcia has thrown touchdown passes of more than 40 yards in each of the first two games and running back Shawn Oatis had 102 yards last week in limited action. -- Peter Yoon