GAME OF THE WEEK: EAGLES, COYOTES SQUARE OFF.

Byline: Jim Inghram Daily News Staff Writer

The questions for Calabasas and Oak Park in tonight's game: Who will keep the momentum last week's big victories brought, and who will have to regroup?

Each, of course, is hoping the other has to answer the latter.

Calabasas coach Larry Edwards thinks the Eagles are much improved. Oak Park coach Dick Billingsley knows the Coyotes are solid.

``This is going to be a good game,'' Edwards said. ``It's another neighborhood rivalry for us. Oak Park had an impressive win over El Segundo. They've got excellent speed, but I think we can match up with them there.''

Said Billingsley: ``They are basically a senior team with a big front line. (Dallas) Enoch is a fierce competitor. He's big, strong and has some great receivers to throw to. They did an excellent job last week against Agoura without (starting running back, Drew) Coppola.''

Calabasas defeated Agoura 14-13 last week. The victory came in dramatic fashion when Enoch completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Matt Bernstein on a fourth-and-15 play with 3:20 left.

It erased a 13-8 lead the Chargers had secured minutes earlier when Garrett Lepisto returned a kickoff 90-yards.

``That was a big accomplishment for us,'' Edwards said. ``To beat a rival and a Marmonte League team in that manner. I thought our players showed a lot of character. They could have quit after that great return, but they kept their composure and came out on top.''

Oak Park had an equally impressive opening, downing El Segundo 24-7. Nate Elder completed 9 of 17 for 142 yards and two touchdowns, both to Dan Schneider. The Eagles overcame a 7-0 deficit in the victory and shut down El Segundo in the second half.

``Our defense has had a year to learn the system we run,'' Billingsley said. ``The kids are more comfortable with it and are playing better.''

Calabasas has the size advantage, but Oak Park might have the speed advantage.

The Eagles' three starting wide receivers - Chris Adams, Eric Daley and Schneider - all have excellent speed. Reserves Chad Kessler and Jesse Nicassio are equally as fast.

``We have good team speed,'' Billingsley said, ``but we have excellent speed at the receiver position.''

It's the one distinct advantage that Billingsley sees his team having against the Coyotes.

``They have speed,'' Edwards said, ``but we have some speed in our defensive backfield, too.

It will be up to John Sheff, Evan Rosenbloom, Mark Kranz and Shawn Abdi to slow the fleet-footed Eagles. Abdi will do double duty again this week because Drew Coppola is not yet ready for action.

Coppola, who had a bruised pancreas, was cleared to begin practice Monday. He's day-to-day according to Edwards, who hopes to have Coppola in the lineup for next week's game against Verdugo Hills.

``I know we won't have Drew in there again,'' Enoch said. ``I'll just have to play like I did last week and not make any mistakes. We're ready to go. Oak Park is a good team and we expect a tough game.''