Football: Harvard-Westlake, St. Francis, Cathedral wait to be tested

The question is a simple one: Can Harvard-Westlake (4-0), St. Francis (3-0) and Cathedral (4-0) really offer a challenge to Mission League powers Chaminade and Gardena Serra?

“We’ll find out pretty quick,” Harvard-Westlake Coach Scot Ruggles said.

“It’s high school football,” St. Francis Coach Jim Bonds said. “Anybody can beat anybody on a given night.”

The Wolverines have a league opener at home against Serra on Oct. 11 in what could be one of the biggest games in school history.

Harvard-Westlake’s opening win over Loyola revealed one important fact: The Wolverines are much stronger. Usually, by the second half, they fade and get worn out. But lots of work in the weight room made the Wolverines ready to hang tough.

Harvard-Westlake has three freshmen starters, led by 6-foot linebacker Ryan Dominick, who has 32 tackles in four games. “He’s going to be a good one,” Ruggles said.

Receiver Julian Shabahang and running back Garrett Robinson have combined with quarterback Marshal Cohen to ignite the Wolverines’ offense.

St. Francis has been equally impressive behind senior quarterback Ty Gangi, who was a backup last season. He has completed 66% of his passes for 671 yards and eight touchdowns.

Cathedral has played the weakest schedule of the trio, but the Phantoms have junior quarterback MC Poe, who has passed for 679 yards and nine touchdowns.

While the focus will be on the Chaminade-Serra game on Oct. 18, don’t forget about Harvard-Westlake, St. Francis and Cathedral. All three are capable of being competitive in a very tough Mission League.

Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com