STATEMENT GAMES NEXT TWO WEEKS TO SHOW CANYON WHERE IT'S AT.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - After starting the season with two decisive victories, including last week's 48-0 victory over Saddleback of Santa Ana, Canyon High has some believing the team finally might be back from where they were: one of the Southland's most feared programs which once won 46 consecutive games and three Southern Section titles in a row during the 1980s.

Not so fast, warned coach Harry Welch, who orchestrated Canyon's finest moments in the past before retiring, then reassuming command two years ago.

``It's way too soon,'' Welch said. ``Because of the level of competition that we've played, we haven't proven anything yet.''

However, Welch agrees the team should know more about where it stands after the next two games, starting at 7 tonight against high-powered Crescenta Valley (0-2) at Glendale High, followed by a home matchup against Highland of Palmdale (2-0) on Oct. 4.

``We need to see how we play against Crescenta Valley because they're probably the best 0-2 team in the area,'' Welch said. ``And Highland should still be undefeated when we play them next week.''

But it's abundantly clear Canyon is better than last year, when the team finished 3-7 in what proved to be a disappointing beginning to Welch's second era.

Quarterback Nate Longshore, just learning the position a year ago, has blossomed. He's thrown for 392 yards and one touchdown to rank among the area's efficiency leaders. Prime receiver Sean Coen, who led Canyon in receptions last year but missed the opener because of illness, caught five passes against Saddleback last week. And running back Louis Montano (274 yards, 8.6 avg., five TDs) has had consecutive 100-yard rushing performances and gives Canyon its first tailback threat in several years.

Meanwhile, Canyon's defense has given up a total of one touchdown and less than 200 yards per game. The defense should improve even more when linebacker Andrew Shantz, a returning All-Foothill League selection, comes back from a foot injury. He's yet to play but has begun practicing this week.

``We're doing pretty well now, and it's gotten to the point where we want to play good teams,'' Luis Montano said. ``I want us to keep going out and shocking people.''

Lineman Mac May, a two-year starter, has had a first-hand look at Canyon's transition. But like Welch, he is cautiously optimistic.

``I think Crescenta Valley will be a step up for all of us and a good indication,'' May said. ``But we're definitely at a different point than we were last year. Last year we were 0-2 and this year we're 2-0. So let's just see how we do.''

May said improvement is natural because the players have seized the opportunity to buy into Welch's system.

``Last year it was all new and we learning everything for the first time,'' May said. ``Now it's a matter of fine-tuning what we've already learned.''

TODAY'S GAMES

No. 1 HART (1-0-1) at WESTLAKE (1-1), 7 p.m.

--Player to watch: Kevin Ciccone, WR, Hart

Expected to make a major contribution this season, Ciccone broke out last week with seven receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns, including a 35-yarder. ``We just played to our potential and took it to them,'' Ciccone said. The performance came on the heels of a quiet first week, during which Ciccone totaled two receptions for 1 yard.

--Key stat: 23

Hart's unbeaten streak dating back to 2000.

--Why Hart will win: Quarterback Sean Norton has found his groove, which is bad news for opponents hoping the inexperienced junior might need significant time to build confidence. He threw for 356 yards and three TDs as Hart beat highly regarded St. Bonaventure of Ventura last week. Tonight he faces a Westlake team hoping to regroup after a patchy 35-21 loss to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks.

--Why Westlake will win: Because the Warriors are always a good team that plays Hart especially tough. Hart barely survived a 42-35 victory over the Warriors last year, and in 2000 Westlake defeated Hart to end the Indians' winning streak at 25 games. Touted transfer QB Erik Vose of Chaminade of West Hills hasn't been as impressive as expected - he completed 11 of 27 passes for 104 yards and was intercepted twice last week - but that doesn't mean he isn't ready to break out.

--Last week: Hart defeated St. Bonaventure 31-6; Westlake lost to Notre Dame 35-21.

--Perspective: One of the area's most competitive series, the Hart-Westlake rivalry is usually a season highlight. Both teams are trying to find their feet. Westlake was expecting more production from Vose - he was the area's most high-profile offseason transfer - and must adjust without injured RB Kenneth Mackins, one of the region's fastest players who went down in Week 1.

--Outlook: Hart should be OK if it doesn't fall behind early because Westlake packs a large crowd - and its fans are a boisterous lot with plenty of school spirit. There are issues about Hart's pass protection, the main reason Hart lost here two years ago.

CANYON (2-0) vs. CRESCENTA VALLEY (0-2) at Glendale HS, 7:30 p.m.

--Player to watch: Nate Longshore, QB, Canyon.

The 6-foot-4 junior is coming along as well as expected. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown in last week's 48-0 victory over Saddleback of Santa Ana.

--Key stat: 0

Number of touchdowns Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta scored in last week's 10-3 loss to St. Francis of La Canada despite 341 yards of offense from QB Aaron McGuinness.

--Why Canyon will win: The second Harry Welch coaching era has begun in earnest after a surprisingly poor 3-7 start last year, Welch's first losing season of his career. He has the Cowboys believing they're a good team, and it doesn't hurt having one of the area's most talented QBs in Longshore.

--Why Crescenta Valley will win: Enough is enough. This team is too powerful to begin the season 0-3, and there's no way another 300-yard passing performance won't amount to any touchdowns. The Falcons have won 10 games or more during each of the past two seasons. Mediocrity isn't an option for a team that beat Hart in a summer passing-league championship game.

--Last week: Canyon defeated Saddleback 48-0; Crescenta Valley lost to St. Francis 10-3.

--Perspective: How well are things going for Canyon? The 48-point victory margin last week was the largest since Nov. 17, 1989, when Canyon defeated Santa Monica 70-20 in the first round of the Division II playoffs. Another victory over a quality opponent such as Crescenta Valley should push Canyon into the Daily News Top 10 for the first time in many years.

--Outlook: If Canyon can continue what it's been doing - running effectively with Louis Montano and passing effectively with Longshore - and LB Jesse Brandt returns from injury as expected, the team should be in fine shape. Meanwhile, Crescenta Valley must shore up its execution, especially in the red zone.

SAUGUS (0-2) at NOTRE DAME (2-0), 7:30 p.m.

--Player to watch: Chris Ahlheim, QB, Saugus

Ahlheim, a returning starter, was pulled with five minutes remaining in last week's 16-7 loss to Highland of Palmdale. It should prove interesting to see how the move affects his confidence.

--Key stat: 2

Number of Saugus turnovers inside its own 10-yard yard line last week. Both resulted in scores for Highland.

--Why Saugus will win: Because the Centurions finally rise to their potential and realize that with so many tough opponents looming - St. Bonaventure of Ventura and St. Francis of La Canada are next - step-by-step development isn't an option if they are to finish above .500

--Why Notre Dame will win: Because the Knights are a better team. They've proved so with victories over Birmingham of Lake Balboa and Westlake, both of whom were ranked in the Daily News Top 5 at the time. Notre Dame plays solid defense and rarely makes mistakes on special teams, which is enough to beat most teams.

--Last week: Saugus lost to Highland 16-7; Notre Dame defeated Westlake 35-21.

--Perspective: A loss here could well mean a 0-5 start for the Centurions, whose schedule is considered the most difficult among local teams. It doesn't matter how honored Saugus' nonleague opponents are; such a beginning could have devastating effects for a team with a straight-faced belief it can compete with Hart and Valencia for the Foothill League title.

--Outlook: Saugus is a scary team at the moment. Most wouldn't want to face an opponent coming off two disappointing losses in a row, including a last-second 37-34 loss to Royal of Simi Valley in the opening week. That said, what Notre Dame's players lack in experience - most of the starting lineup consists of new faces - the Knights make up in coaching experience, as Kevin Rooney has won 10 league titles in 23 years at the school.

VALENCIA (1-1) vs. OXNARD (2-) at Canyon HS, 7 p.m.

--Player to watch: Mark Munoz, LB, Valencia

Burdened with the responsibility of sorting through Oxnard's option offense, Munoz must help contain speedy RB Aaron Brown. Brown's a three-year starter and among Ventura County's fastest players.

--Key stat: 404

Yardage Valencia's offense amassed during Friday's 63-28 victory over Newbury Park. However, Valencia gave up even more - 487 - and if it wasn't for Kevin Crane's two kickoff returns for TDs, the Vikings might have really been in bad shape.

--Why Valencia will win: Because the Vikings are 3-0 against Oxnard, including a 20-point victory last year, and this year's team is supposed to be as good as any. Plus, RB Charles Burnley overcame a slow start in Week 1 to rush for 186 yards and three long TDs last week. He's a key.

--Why Oxnard will win: This is the best Oxnard has been in a long time, as last week's victory over annual power San Luis Obispo seems to indicate. And DE Steve Reveles is a one-man wrecking crew who has run a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, vertical jumped 30 inches, squatted 485 pounds and dead lifted 650.

--Last week: Valencia defeated Newbury Park 63-28; Oxnard defeated San Luis Obispo 21-14.

--Perspective: Tonight's game and next week's matchup at Arroyo Grande are the kinds of games Valencia often has lost in the past. The Vikings have had a tendency to dominate easy teams but struggle against opponents who can punch back. Here's another chance for them to remove that stigma.

--Outlook: It sure is tough not to pick a team coming off a 63-28 victory over a quality opponent. Valencia knows it has a good running back in Burnley. If new QB Stephen Wright continues to mature - he completed 6 of 10 passes for 139 yards and three TDs last week - Valencia should have enough firepower to hold off the potent Yellowjackets.

EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL 

SANTA CLARITA CHRISTIAN (0-2) at FAITH BAPTIST (2-0)

Outlook: Santa Clarita Christian has lost 13 in a row over the past three years, including a 55-8 loss Saturday to Hesperia Christian, and Faith Baptist of Canoga Park is the defending Southern Section champion. But this matchup might be closer than expected because Faith Baptist's starting QB, Ryan Wong, is doubtful with a knee injury.

``Faith Baptist is a good team that's been around forever. We've got some good athletes, but we're still young,'' Santa Clarita coach Garrick Moss said.

Santa Clarita Christian QB Caleb Sulham passed for 75 yards and a TD last week. He's the best player on the team.

LOOKING AHEAD

HART at BIRMINGHAM, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m.

Hart rarely has problems defeating the best of City Section opponents - recent victims include Banning of Wilmington, Monroe of North Hills, Sylmar and Granada Hills - but Birmingham of Lake Balboa is special. The Patriots have two of the state's fastest, most-recruited players in running back/defensive back Dennis Keyes and receiver/defensive back Chad Green.

Against San Pedro last week, the UCLA-bound Keyes rushed for 193 yards on 11 carries and Green caught six passes for 182 yards, including touchdowns of 80, 55 and 17 yards.

The Birmingham matchup will mark Hart's fourth consecutive game against a high-powered opponent.

GAME DAY

HE SAID

``He's a legend.''

Santa Clarita Christian coach Garrick Moss, about longtime coach Greg Weiss of Faith Baptist of Canoga Park. The eight-man teams play at 1 p.m. Saturday at Faith Baptist.

SPOTLIGHT

Canyon's injury problems are subsiding. Fullback/linebacker Jesse Brandt, who has yet to play this season because of a separated shoulder, is probable tonight. Receiver Sean Coen, who missed the opener because of illness after leading Canyon with 37 receptions as a sophomore, caught a team-high five passes in Friday's victory over Saddleback of Santa Ana despite sitting out about half of Canyon's snaps.

OFFBEAT 

Most of Valencia's Foothill League opponents figure to pass, because that's what Foothill League teams do. But Valencia's next two matchups, starting tonight with visiting Hueneme of Oxnard, are against teams with unconventional running attacks. Hueneme is an option team - ``and they run the option very well,'' coach Brian Stiman said. Next week they play by Arroyo Grande, which employs the misdirection wing-T.

OFF THE CHARTS

Unheralded Burbank sophomore Mike McDonald, who passed for 296 yards last week, appears to have joined the official Foothill League Quarterback Club. Here's how members of the club compare in season passing yards through two weeks:

Sean Norton, Hart 598

Chris Ahlheim, Saugus 445

McDonald, Burbank 435

Nate Longshore, Canyon 392

Stephen Wright, Valencia 237

Lee Pettit, Burroughs 103

NUMBERS GAME

23.7

Average yardage per completion for Hart quarterback Sean Norton against St. Bonaventure of Ventura last week. Norton (15 of 31, 356 yards, three TDs) had four completions of 30 yards or longer.

- Compiled by Gerry Gittelson

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 6 boxes

Photo:

(1) Canyon High football coach Harry Welch has his Cowboys off to a 2-0 start.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer

(2) BRANDT

Box:

(1) TODAY'S GAMES (see text)

(2) GAME DAY (see text)

(3) LOOKING AHEAD (see text)

(4) STANDINGS

(5) LOGS

(6) LEADERS