GAME DAY: A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

CITY SECTION

* SYLMAR (7-1, 5-0) vs. CANOGA PARK (6-2, 5-0)

At Canoga Park High, 7:30 p.m.

Based on averages alone, this game shouldn’t even be close. Canoga Park averages about 18 points a game and gives up 15. Sylmar has outscored opponents by an average of 35-7, and ranks No. 1 among the region’s City teams in offense and defense. The Hunters’ strength is their defense, which ranks No. 3 among the region’s City teams and has not surrendered more than 13 points in a Valley Pac-8 Conference game. Canoga Park forced Sylmar into overtime last season only to lose, 37-35. Senior running back Junior Galvan is averaging 6.5 yards a carry, but will find gains tough against a Sylmar defense that gives up 81 yards a game. Sylmar quarterbacks Joey LaPorte and Noah Albiston have accounted for 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns, aided by a ground game that averages 250 yards an outing.

* SAN FERNANDO (5-3, 3-2) vs. KENNEDY (5-3, 3-2)

At Kennedy High, 7 p.m.

The winner will put itself in good position for a City Section 4-A playoff berth while the loser might have to settle for the 3-A playoffs. The Tigers have played almost everybody tough, save a surprising loss to Grant in the third week of the season. Sean Atkins has passed for 793 yards and rushed for 314 for San Fernando, while Ray Rodriguez of Kennedy has passed for 1,071 and rushed for 372. Matt Garnas of Kennedy leads the region’s City Section receivers with 43 receptions.

SOUTHERN SECTION

* WESTLAKE (6-2, 5-0) vs. NEWBURY PARK (8-0, 5-0)

At Newbury Park High, 7 p.m.

Newbury Park’s Nick Czernek of (2,198 yards passing) and Jake Farrel (46 catches for 770 yards) and Westlake’s Zac Wasserman (1,928 yards passing) and Joey Cuppari (55 catches for 959 yards) get the headlines, but defense could tell the story of this Marmonte League showdown. Westlake allows only 164 yards per game behind lineman Karl Holley, who has 16 sacks, and linebackers Matt Goldstein and Jordan Lampos. The Warriors have intercepted 23 passes, including seven by David Hu, six by Travis Campbell and five by Kevin Howard. Newbury Park features eight two-way starters, including linebackers Brian Crain and Anthony Foli, and center-nose guard Justin Nagy. Panther defensive backs Russell Thomas and James Bailey each have four interceptions. Although the offenses of both teams are built around their passing attacks, Newbury Park has shown a greater ability to run, gaining 867 yards on the ground. Westlake has rushed for only 489 yards. The winner clinches a tie for the league championship.

* MUIR (6-2, 3-0) vs. CRESCENTA VALLEY (8-0, 3-0)

At Glendale High, 7:30 p.m.

Crescenta Valley can clinch its first league title since 1976 with a victory, but five-time defending Pacific League champion Muir has won the last 18 games in the series dating to 1978. Kenny Pritchett has rushed for 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Falcons. Linebackers Chris Oliver and Jesse Busta are among the region’s best and will be pivotal in containing a Muir offense that has outscored three league opponents, 173-25. Sultan McCullough, who has 1,458 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns, has gained more than 700 yards in league play and is among eight Muir seniors expected to receive Division I scholarships. McCullough, linebacker Anthony Kelly and quarterback Lashaun Ward are highly ranked on national recruiting lists. Defensive back-running back Rickey Crockett scored a touchdown and two-point conversion with under two minutes left to give the Mustangs a 22-21 victory over the Falcons last year. Muir, ranked No. 3 in the Southern Section’s Division III, has won five consecutive games since losing to Long Beach Poly and Bishop Amat. The Falcons are ranked second in the division.

* BUENA (6-2, 4-1) vs. DOS PUEBLOS (6-2, 4-1)

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

Neither Channel League team is blessed with abundant talent, just a knack for winning. Buena’s offense consists of Aaron Kleefisch, who has rushed for 844 yards and 12 touchdowns, and short passes by sophomore quarterback Kyle Loughman, who has thrown for 936 yards and seven touchdowns. Albert De La Rocha, who has six interceptions, and Shane Beck are solid defensive backs. Under first-year Coach John Hallenbeck, Dos Pueblos keeps winning despite having fewer than 300 yards passing for the season. Beau Brunner, who lines up at halfback, fullback, quarterback and wide receiver, has 380 yards rushing but might not play because of an injured shoulder. Nohel Coral, the league’s 400-meter champion, has rushed for 340 yards. Receiver Tafari Pipersburg scored last week on a 70-yard end around and on a 40-yard reception. Nose guard Jessie Plowman had six sacks against Rio Mesa two weeks ago.

* LITTLEROCK (6-2, 2-1) vs. PALMDALE (6-2, 3-0)

At Palmdale High, 7:30 p.m.

The Falcons can take a big step toward their first outright Golden League title since 1965 while the Lobos can make the playoffs for the first time since 1992 with a victory. Palmdale has come alive behind Jason Anderson, who has gained 499 yards rushing the past two weeks and has 871 for the season. Littlerock relies on the tandem of Michael Woods and David Newton, who have combined for 1,587 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. A victory by Littlerock probably will mean another shared league title. Antelope Valley, Palmdale and Highland all finished 3-1 last year.

* SERRA (5-3, 3-0) vs. NOTRE DAME (6-2, 2-1)

At Notre Dame High, 7:30 p.m.

Defending Mission League champion Notre Dame finds itself in the unexpected position of trying to gain ground on Serra, a young team that finished fifth in the league last season. The Knights have rebounded from consecutive losses at midseason and should be feeling better about themselves after Justin Fargas rushed for a career-high 404 yards against Bishop Montgomery last week. Fargas faces a Serra defense that has surrendered only 10 points in its previous two games. “We’ve played really well but we haven’t faced a back like Justin,” Serra Coach Charles Nash said. “This will be a test.” Junior Robert Lewis has passed for 1,218 yards and five touchdowns for the Cavaliers but is suffering from a severe case of turf toe. If Lewis cannot play, Serra will rely more heavily on running back Jelani Harrison, who has 1,103 yards and seven touchdowns. Dave DeMartinis of Notre Dame has passed for 1,223 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is the only one of the region’s top 40-rated quarterbacks who has not had a pass intercepted.

Other games:

City Section

Northwest Valley Conference: At 2:15 p.m., Granada Hills at El Camino Real. At 7 p.m., Cleveland at Birmingham, Chatsworth at Taft. Northern Conference: At 7 p.m., Verdugo Hills at L.A. Wilson. Valley Pac-8 Conference: At 7:30 p.m., Grant at Van Nuys, Monroe at Poly, North Hollywood at Reseda.

Southern Section

Alpha League: At 7:30 p.m., Marshall Fundamental vs. L.A. Baptist at Alemany High. Channel League: At 7:30 p.m., San Marcos at Ventura, Hueneme at Santa Barbara, Oxnard at Rio Mesa. Del Rey League: At 7:30 p.m., St. Paul at Crespi. Foothill League: At 7:30 p.m., Hart at Burroughs. Frontier League: At 7:30 p.m., Moorpark at Santa Paula. Golden League: At 7:30 p.m., Highland at Antelope Valley, Lancaster at Quartz Hill. Marmonte League: At 7 p.m., Channel Islands at Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks at Agoura, Camarillo at Royal. Mission League: At 7:30 p.m., Harvard-Westlake at Chaminade, St. Francis at Bishop Montgomery. Pacific League: At 7:30 p.m., Glendale at Arcadia. Foothill League: At 7 p.m., Burbank at Canyon, Valencia vs. Saugus at College of the Canyons. High Desert League: At 7:30 p.m., Kern Valley vs. Paraclete at Antelope Valley College. Rio Hondo League: At 7:30 p.m., Temple City at La Canada. Santa Fe League: At 7:30 p.m., Bell-Jeff vs. Bosco Tech at Pius X. Tri-Valley League: At 7:30 p.m., Bishop Diego at Fillmore, Oak Park at Carpinteria.

Eight-man

Delphic League: At 2 p.m., Faith Baptist at Campbell Hall. Nonleague: At 2:30 p.m., Viewpoint at Windward.