High School Football Today

Canyon (1-2) vs. Notre Dame (2-1)

At Notre Dame 7:30 p.m.

On Sept. 30, 1983, exactly five years ago, Notre Dame defeated Canyon, 7-0. The following week, Canyon began its Southern Section record-tying 46-game winning streak, which lasted more than three years. Notre Dame has not beaten the Cowboys in four meetings since. Canyon’s current winning streak stands at one, and it could end there. The Knights have posted consecutive shutouts over Burroughs (20-0) and North Hollywood (25-0). Extending the shutout streak is unlikely. “Canyon has the best offense we’ve seen,� Coach Kevin Rooney said. Notre Dame quarterback Bobby Hughes threw 2 touchdown passes last week against North Hollywood but has completed only 19 of 53 passes (35.9%) for 430 yards. Canyon quarterback Rod Baltau, who suffered a concussion and dislocated right thumb two weeks ago, rebounded last week to lead Canyon to a 17-14 win over Thousand Oaks. Wide receiver Clint Beauer (20 receptions, 333 yards) is the Valley’s leading receiver. Canyon leads the series, 5-4.

Taft (1-1) vs. San Fernando (1-2)

At San Fernando 8 p.m.

Both teams are coming off hard-fought losses to Southern Section Division I powers. Taft fell to Servite, 35-7, last Friday and San Fernando lost to Crespi, 24-20, on Saturday. But getting emotionally ready for this Northwest Conference opener, which features the two top-rated City Section teams in the Valley, should not be difficult for either team. San Fernando Coach Tom Hernandez said it is approaching must-win time for the Tigers. “We played well in our two losses,� he said. “Now we have to get back out there and win a game or two.� If the Tigers get back on track, junior quarterback Michael Wynn will lead the way. Wynn completed a career-best 16 of 26 passes for 132 yards against Crespi. Taft counters with senior tailback Kelvin Byrd, who has 281 yards in two games. Quarterback Rich Cosentino completed only 5 of 22 passes for 69 yards and had 2 passes intercepted last week.

Alemany (3-0) vs. Palmdale (2-1)

At Palmdale 7:30 p.m.

After three games, quarterback Joey Rosselli and running back Tyler Robuck lead Southern Section Valley-area players in passing and rushing yardage, respectively. Rosselli has completed 35 of 57 passes for 591 yards and 4 touchdowns and Robuck has 516 yards and 4 touchdowns in 69 carries. The Indians have rolled up 1,228 yards in offense, albeit against two teams from Division VII and another from Division II. Alemany, from the Division I Del Rey League, faces a sterner test this week in Palmdale, the ninth-ranked Division II team. It gets no easier for the Indians after this one. Canyon, Loyola and Crespi are next. Last week, Palmdale whipped Hart, 40-21. Running back LaShante Parker leads the Falcons’ offense with 316 yards in 29 carries--a 10.9-yard average. The Indians have allowed only 63 rushing yards. The key players in Alemany’s 5-2 defense are Brian Swanson, John Vigil, Mark Sauter, Brian McClain and Robert Kindall.

El Camino Real (1-1) vs. Kennedy (2-1)

At Kennedy 8 p.m.

El Camino Real will attempt to start Streak II this week. Having snapped their 24-game winless streak, the Conquistadores will shoot for their second victory in a row after last week’s 6-3 win over Westchester. El Camino Real tied Kennedy last season by controlling the ball. Golden Cougars Coach Bob Francola expects El Camino Real to do the same thing this time. “It’s important for us to start fast,� he said. “We can’t be in a situation where we’re down and not playing good defense and they have the ball.� Quarterback Tony Smets (368 yards, 4 touchdowns) and running back Antiwaun Carter (339 yards, 3 touchdowns) lead an explosive Kennedy offense that would rather score on an 80-yard play than after an 80-yard drive. “We always find a way to hurt ourselves on those 80-yard, 15-play drives,� Francola bemoaned.

Granada Hills (2-1) vs. Cleveland (1-1)

At Cleveland 8 p.m.

The last time these teams met, Granada Hills buried Cleveland, 55-6, in the second round of the 1987 City 4-A Division playoffs. Mercifully, the entire fourth quarter was played with the clock running. Running should be a key in this game, too. In three games, the Highlanders have only one scoring pass (they had 35 in 1987). In last week’s 35-0 win over Hamilton, all five touchdowns came on the ground. “It will probably stay that way until the passing game gets going,� said Tom Harp, Granada Hills’ offensive coordinator. The running backs are Marrio Walker (238 yards) and Brett Washington (182 yards), both of whom also play on the defensive line. Washington had a career-best 104 yards in 14 carries and 2 touchdowns against Hamilton. Cleveland quarterback Lee Gatewood has passed for 237 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tailbacks Pat Bryant, Mark Mooney and Sean Burwell have combined for 322 yards. Mooney has a bruised right shoulder and might not play.

Saugus (0-2-1) vs. Hart (1-2)

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

Both teams are coming off embarrassing losses. In last week’s 33-7 loss to Hawthorne, a Saugus punt was blocked after only 10 players took the field. The blocking back was still on the bench. “It’s one thing to get beat,� Coach Dick Flaherty said. “But that makes us look disorganized and not well-coached.� In Hart’s 40-21 loss to Palmdale, two of quarterback Rob Westervelt’s passes were intercepted and returned for touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Hart narrowly defeated Saugus, 21-15, last year. In 1984, the game ended in a scoreless tie. Hart tight end Brian Allen (18 receptions, 271 yards, 5 touchdowns) and wide receiver Cameron Smyth (13 receptions, 199 yards) are Westervelt’s primary targets. Saugus quarterback George Lopata has passed for only 129 yards. Brandon King leads Saugus with 145 yards rushing in 23 carries.

Glendale (3-0) vs. Burroughs (2-1)

At Burroughs 7:30 p.m.

Glendale’s Richard Callister completed 11 of 16 passes for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns in a victory over Bell-Jeff last week. “I’m very pleased with the way he’s coming along,� Coach Don Shoemaker said of Callister. Glendale running backs Corey White and Rafik Thorossian have combined for 550 yards and 5 touchdowns in 76 carries. Burroughs Coach Butch McElwee hopes that quarterback Marco Arcipreste can show the same improvement Callister has. So far, Arcipreste is 18 of 35 for 268. He has not thrown a touchdown pass and 3 of his passes have been intercepted. Burroughs running back Kevin Monaco has 290 yards and 2 touchdowns in 34 carries.