AREA HIGH SCHOOLS SET TO KICK OFF FOOTBALL SEASON : AREA'S BEST TEAMS, KENNEDY, QUARTZ HILL, OPEN AGAINST EACH OTHER.

Byline: Melissa Anderson  Daily News Staff Writer

High school football will swing into full gear this weekend, and several teams are hitting the new season head on.

Here is a look at some of today's games, with starting times:

Kennedy at Quartz Hill, 7:30 p.m.

Featuring two of the best teams in the area, this game should be an even battle.

Quartz Hill features all-Southern Section pick Jacob Waasdorp, who moved this season from center to fullback and is expected to lead another strong attack for coach John Albee. Third-year starter Jeremiah Harris is back to lead the running game and wide receiver Doug Carlton, a transfer from Patch High School in Germany, is expected to give Quartz Hill an aerial option.

Despite losing several key defensive players, Kennedy has some weapons of its own in the form of Waking Bailey and linebacker Byron Williams. Factor in the experience gained by quarterback Calvin Zinck in the off-season and the potential of tailback Jaret Harris and tonight's game should be a fairly even contest.

Serrano vs. Littlerock at Palmdale High School, 7:30 p.m.

An injury to tight end Dan Marino, Littlerock's best player and the key to its offensive scheme, could give Serrano a chance at its first victory over the Lobos in six years.

Marino, who hurt his ankle in practice Tuesday and re-sprained it again Wednesday, is listed as day-to-day, but will likely be on the sidelines tonight.

With an inexperienced quarterback limiting the Lobos' options on offense, Littlerock will have a tough time getting past a Serrano team that has traditionally played strong defense. If the Lobos have to find a way to win without Marino, they will have to do it on the ground.

Palmdale at Burroughs (Ridgecrest), 7:30 p.m.

Burroughs' departure from the Golden League this season won't keep these two teams from renewing their rivalry, and with the list of returning players long on both rosters, the matchup shouldn't hold much surprise for either side.

Palmdale returns 28 players from last year's squad, five of them three-year starters. Coach Jeff Williams is counting on veteran wide receivers Malosi Leonard and Manny Flores to provide quarterback Grant Livermont with a couple of strong targets.

But tonight's action may occur more on the ground than through the air. That's because Palmdale returns two 1,000-yard rushers in Jan Brown and Jason Anderson, and both are expected to lead the Falcon's offensive attack again this year.

Banning vs. Highland at Antelope Valley College, 7:30 p.m.

With little experience returning on offense, defense will be the key for Highland against an undermanned Banning team. Free safety Marcus Prevost is the Bulldogs leading returner as well as their most versatile player. According to coach Lin Parker, the senior captain could play almost any position on the field. Highland also is game-tested, having defeated Silverado of Las Vegas last week.

Prevost's versatility may come in handy tonight since Highland is virtually in the dark about its opponent. Banning, which has an enrollment of just over 1,000 students compared to Highland's 2,600, will be at a disadvantage in terms of numbers. But last year, the Broncos graduated three players to Division I colleges, and if Banning can break through the Highland defense, it should have a good shot at a victory.

Boron vs. L.A. Baptist at Alemany High, 7:30 p.m.

The Bobcats have won at least a share of the past three Desert Mountain League titles. They will be in the hunt again this year despite having just 18 players on the varsity roster.

Fullback Toby Foster and tailback Chad York each ran for 700 yards last season, and quarterback Robert Kostopoulos threw for more than 600 yards with just one interception after taking over at midseason.

L.A. Baptist, which figures to compete in the Alpha League, returns quarterback Peter Dirksen, who threw for more than 1,000 yards in just eight games.

If the Bobcats can stay free of injuries, they probably will be playing for the league title when Mammoth comes to town Nov. 15.

Rosamond at Whittier Christian, 7:30 p.m.

The Roadrunners will attempt to put the disappointment of their Division X playoff disqualification behind them with a new coach, Tim Cox, and a mostly new cast of players.

Mario Varela is back for his third year as the Rosamond starting quarterback. Back, too, are all-league tackle David Jordan (6 foot, 3 inches, 250 pounds), tackle Ray Candelaria (6-6, 265), center Tim Shank (6-2, 205), fullback Brian Tenerio and all-league defensive end Kenny Grieco, who will play tight end and linebacker.