CAN KENNEDY MAINTAIN SPELL?

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore and Gerry Gittlelson Daily News Staff Writer

Birmingham High School hasn't beaten Kennedy in a football game since 1974.

With a win over the Cougars (7-2, 4-2) tonight, the Braves will take second place in the the Northwest Valley Conference.

``It's a nice feeling to be playing a game that means something this late in the season,'' Birmingham coach Dave Lertzman said.

The losing streak is a bit deceiving. The two teams haven't played every year since 1974. Still, Lertzman admitted that Kennedy has held an emotional edge over the Braves for many years. He hopes that's about to change.

``The difference is that our kids believe they can compete with them this year,'' Lertzman said. ``That hasn't always been the case.''

Both teams are tied behind Taft in the Northwest Valley Conference. Birmingham beat Cleveland 27-6 last week; Kennedy edged San Fernando 17-15 on Ramiro Esqueda's last-second 30-yard field goal.

Tailback Emmanuel Evans (1,480 yards, 7.7 avg., 19 TDs) keys Birmingham. But Kennedy must also worry about the pass - Scott Doherty has thrown for 1,290 yards (48 percent) and 19 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Jerome Riley (30 catches, 17.6 avg., eight TDs) is the most productive receiver. Linebackers Bobby Davis, Howard Jones, and Evans are the top defenders.

Justin Jones leads Kennedy with 809 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Quarterback Ray Rodriguez has passed for 1,204 yards (57 percent) and eight touchdowns. Esqueda has four field goals and 28 PATs.

Thousand Oaks (4-5, 3-3) at Newbury Park (9-0, 6-0): The Panthers hope to complete a perfect season and maintain the top ranking heading into the Southern Section Division III playoffs.

But Newbury Park coach George Hurley is worried, considering that the neighboring rival Lancers would like nothing better than to end their season by wrecking all of the Panthers' goals.

``They'll play this game like it's the CIF finals,'' Hurley said. ``We've talked to our team all week about that.''

What can make the difference is Newbury Park's defense, which held Westlake without a point three times inside their own 3-yard line and five times inside the 20-yard line.

``After the first stop, our confidence just started to build,'' Newbury Park linebacker Brian Crain said.

Westlake (7-2, 5-1) at Agoura (7-2, 5-1): An important matchup for two teams jostling for home-field advantage for next week's playoffs. The winner earns second place in the Marmonte League.

Agoura quarterback Ryan McCann might make his return from a shoulder injury. How well - and how long - he plays is questionable. Counterpart Zac Wasserman has been superb, passing for 2,182 yards (56 percent) and 24 TDs. Favorite target Joey Cuppari (63 receptions, 16.1 avg., 19 TDs) has been hobbled by an ankle injury but should be recovered. Mike Seidman (42 catches, 14.7 avg., two TDs) and Travis Campbell (37 catches, 14.6 avg., three TDs) are other primary receivers.

Westlake had won five straight before losing to No. 1-ranked Newbury Park 20-7 last week. Agoura beat Thousand Oaks 42-14 behind tailback Chris Poling's 219 yards and two TDs. Poling (1,354 yards, 8.1 avg., 19 TDs) has three 200-yard games the past five weeks.

Montclair Prep (5-1-1) at Righetti (4-5): A big week for the freelance Mounties, looking to impress the Southern Section playoff committee. Playing just its eighth game, Montclair needs as many wins as possible, and a victory over a large public school like Righetti (of Santa Maria) figures to go a long way.

The Mounties beat Avalon 24-0 last week, scoring all their points in the first half before playing reserves. Three running backs - Robert Bowens (797 yards, 9.5 avg., 10 TDs), Carlease Clark (452, 6.5 avg., six TDs), and Scott Bentley (326 yards, 8.6 avg., five TDs) - pace Montclair's power-pitch attack.

The Mounties hope to jump on Righetti early. Playing catch-up could prove difficult - no Montclair wide receiver has more than one reception.

Harvard Westlake (3-6, 1-3) at Notre Dame (7-2, 3-1): Justin Fargas looks to crack the 2,000-yard plateau for the second straight season. He has 1,880 and 22 touchdowns. Wide receiver/kick returner Todd Fenton has been hot; the junior speedster had three catches - all touchdowns - for 119 yards in last week's 34-9 win over Serra. Fenton averages 24.4 yards per reception.

Quarterback Dave DeMartinis has been remarkably efficient, passing for 1,389 yards (60 percent) with 14 TDs and no interceptions. Tony Arredondo leads the Knights with 22 catches (16.3 avg.) and two TDs.

Harvard Westlake has lost five of six. Tight end Alex Holmes has been one of the squad's bright spots. The 6-5, 265-pound sophomore has 35 catches (20.4 avg.) and six touchdowns.

Valencia (7-2, 3-1) at Canyon (6-3, 3-1): A battle to see who's second-best behind Hart. Valencia has won six of seven, relies on sophomore running back Manuel White, who has amassed 1,762 yards (8.3 avg.) and 21 TDs. White has five 200-yard games.

Canyon counters with Matt Gregory (1,048 yards, 5.0 avg., six TDs), a straight-ahead runner. Quarterback Luke Petticord adds 969 passing yards (50 percent) and five TDs. Petticord also has five rushing touchdowns.

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