GAME DAY

A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

CITY SECTION

* TAFT (8-0, 6-0) vs. EL CAMINO REAL (6-3, 3-3)

At El Camino Real High, 7 p.m.

The Toreadors have clinched the Northwest Valley Conference title but there may be more at stake in this game than any other in the City Section. Taft is trying to complete a second consecutive undefeated regular season and become the top seeded team in the 4-A Division playoffs. The Conquistadores probably need a victory to get into the 4-A playoffs after an inconsistent conference season. El Camino Real got back on track with a 32-12 victory over Granada Hills, with Quincy Wright rushing for a season-high 294 yards. Taft will have its full complement of wide receivers after Lawrence Wallace missed the Toreadors’ 35-17 victory over Chatsworth with a groin injury. Dominic Early has caught 13 passes in the past two games. The game will be played under temporary lights, giving El Camino Real a home night game for the second time in school history.

* KENNEDY (6-3, 4-2) vs. BIRMINGHAM (7-2, 4-2)

At Birmingham High, 7 p.m.

The winner gets sole possession of second place in the Northwest Valley Conference. “A lot of people didn’t think we would be in this position,” Kennedy Coach Bob Francola said. The inexperienced Golden Cougars pulled out a 17-15 victory over San Fernando last week that probably put them in the 4-A playoffs. Defensive tackle Armand Seals and linebacker Jason Newman lead an improved defense for Kennedy. Birmingham can set a school record for regular-season victories. In 1963, Birmingham was undefeated but played only seven regular-season games. Emmanuel Evans leads City Section players from the region with 1,510 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns. Scott Doherty has thrown 19 touchdown passes, fourth in the region.

SOUTHERN SECTION

* WESTLAKE (6-3, 5-1) vs. AGOURA (7-2, 5-1)

At Agoura High, 7 p.m.

Westlake must bounce back from a 20-7 loss last week to Newbury Park to salvage second place in the Marmonte League. Agoura probably will have quarterback Ryan McCann, who has missed four games with a separated shoulder. Marcus Helfman has done well in McCann’s place, but the 6-foot-6 senior would just as soon return to tight end. Agoura’s offense is built around Chris Poling, who has 1,376 yards rushing. The Chargers have allowed only 103 points, the fewest of any Division III team. Westlake has passed for 2,399 yards and 26 touchdowns and will benefit from the recovery of wide receiver Joey Cuppari, who was hobbled last week by a sprained ankle but still had eight catches. Westlake allows only 172.9 yards a game and has 27 interceptions.

* OXNARD (7-1-1, 5-0-1) vs. DOS PUEBLOS (6-3, 4-2)

At San Marcos High, 7:30 p.m.

Oxnard plays for the Channel League championship it missed last season when the unbeaten Yellowjackets had to forfeit several victories because of an ineligible player. The senior backfield of tailback Desmond Davis (1,229 yards, 7.0 average) and fullback Chad Pierson (704, 7.3 average) is Ventura County’s best. Quarterback Joe Rivas is questionable because of a concussion, but Adrian Maciel filled in ably last week. Eric Swanger, a senior receiver-safety, is injury free for the first time in several weeks. Dos Pueblos, which has been outscored, 190-158, fell out of title contention last week by losing to Buena, 21-20. Beau Brunner, Dos Pueblos’ top player, is hampered by a shoulder injury.

* PALMDALE (7-2, 4-0) vs. HIGHLAND (5-4, 2-2)

At Highland High, 7:30 p.m.

Palmdale needs a victory to sew up its first outright Golden League title since 1965. The Falcons shared the title with Highland and Antelope Valley last season. Palmdale is guaranteed to enter the Division II playoffs as the league’s top-seeded team. Highland needs an upset, as well as a Littlerock loss to Quartz Hill, to claim the Golden’s final playoff spot. Highland’s Camy Smith has thrown for a league-leading 1,640 yards and 14 touchdowns, more than twice as many as any other quarterback. Tight end Michael Deleon’s 38 receptions also leads the league. Palmdale’s Imad Rodriguez has a league-high five interceptions. Falcon Johnathan Thompson looked good last week in relief of Grant Livermont, leading Coach Jeff Williams to consider a quarterback-by-committee plan tonight. Jason Anderson has gained 688 yards in 65 carries over the past three games, an average of 10.6 yards per carry.

* NORDHOFF (6-3, 3-0) vs. MOORPARK (8-1, 3-0)

At Moorpark High, 7:30 p.m.

The Frontier League championship is at stake and Nordhoff has won four of the past six titles. Moorpark leads the region in defense, allowing 161.2 yards per game. Middle linebackers David Oviedo and Shane Brogdon make the Musketeers especially tough against the run, allowing 50.3 yards per game, also a region-best. That doesn’t bode well for Nordhoff, which likes to run the ball. The Rangers rely on Joey Briglio, who has rushed for 792 yards, and a defense that allows 176.2 yards per game, fifth-best in the region.

Other games:

City Section--Northern Conference: At 2:15 p.m., Franklin at Verdugo Hills. Northwest Valley Conference: At 7 p.m., San Fernando at Cleveland, Granada Hills at Chatsworth. Valley Pac-8 Conference: At 7:30 p.m., Canoga Park at Monroe, Grant at North Hollywood, Poly at Van Nuys, Reseda at Sylmar.

Southern Section--Alpha League: At 7:30 p.m., Kilpatrick vs. L.A. Baptist at Crespi High. Channel League: At 7:30 p.m., Santa Barbara vs. Buena at Ventura High, Ventura at Rio Mesa, San Marcos at Hueneme. Del Rey League: At 7:30 p.m., Crespi at Alemany. Foothill League: At 7 p.m., Canyon vs. Valencia at Canyon High, Hart vs. Saugus at College of the Canyons. At 7:30 p.m., Burbank at Burroughs. Frontier League: At 7:30 p.m., Santa Clara at Calabasas. Golden League: At 7:30 p.m., Quartz Hill vs. Littlerock at Palmdale High, Antelope Valley vs. Lancaster at Quartz Hill High. Desert Mountain League: At 7 p.m., Lone Pine vs. Vasquez at Antelope Valley High. High Desert League: At 7:30 p.m., Mojave vs. Paraclete at Antelope Valley College. Marmonte League: At 7 p.m., Newbury Park at Thousand Oaks, Camarillo at Channel Islands, Royal vs. Simi Valley at Moorpark College. Mission League: At 7:30 p.m., Harvard-Westlake at Notre Dame. Pacific League: At 7:30 p.m., Hoover at Glendale. Prep League: At 7 p.m., Brentwood vs. Flintridge Prep at Duarte High. Rio Hondo League: At 7:30 p.m., Blair at La Canada. Victory League: At 1 p.m., Fontana Ambassador Christian at Buckley. Nonleague: At 7:30 p.m., Fillmore at Santa Paula, Montclair Prep at Righetti.

Eight-man playoffs, first round--Small Schools Division: At 7 p.m., Antelope Valley Christian vs. Cuyama Valley at Sikes Field in New Cuyama.