TAFT LOOKS TO BRIGNAC AGAINST DORSEY.

EL CAMINO REAL (1-0-1) at No. 2 WESTLAKE (2-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

The scoop: El Camino Real is a solid City team but does not figure to threaten Westlake, which is fully loaded on both sides and features as many top-notch prospects as any school in the region. The Conquistadores look to slow down Westlake's high-powered passing attack, led by QB Zac Wasserman (523 yards, 68 pct., seven TDs, zero INTs), WR Travis Campbell (18 catches, 11.1 avg., five TDs), and TE Mike Seidman (eight receptions, 16.3 avg., one TD). Westlake RB Julian Lambert ranks No. 2 in the region with 268 yards (9.9 avg.) and three TDs. Lambert broke out in Westlake's 42-16 win at Ventura last week, rushing for 153 yards and two TDs in eight carries, all in the first half; he had six gains of 13 or more yards.

El Camino features tough LB Blane Kerzirian and a good RB prospect in DeAngelo Nedd (164 yards, 4.4 avg., two TDs). Kerzirian is averaging 48.4 yards as a punter. ECR yields just 187 yards per game, but expect that average to bulge.

No. 5 CRESPI (2-0) at LANCASTER

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

The scoop: This is Lancaster's big chance to prove it belongs among the elite. The Eagles feature seniors for the first time and have looked sharp thus far. Nick Koufos (6-2, 280) anchors a muscular front line, and there is a group of talented players led by RBs Danny Pagnella (131 yards, 6.2 avg.), Darsay Barnwell (100 yards, 5.9 avg., three catches, 15.0 avg.), and QB Jason Jacobs (135 yards, 43 pct., two TDs). DBs Percy Abrams, Dominic Flax and Mike Brown are top notch.

Crespi's balanced offense features five RBs, each with at least 50 yards, and QB Robert Muller (152 yards, 57 pct., two TDs). The Celts registered eight sacks and limited Quartz Hill to 139 yards and five first downs in a 22-8 win last week. The team seeks to improve its execution after 130 penalty yards in that game.

ANTELOPE VALLEY (0-1-1) at BISHOP AMAT (3-0)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m..

The scoop: Another tough matchup for Antelope Valley, which lost its opener 20-0 to Central Section power Bakersfield, followed by Friday's 14-14 tie with Sylmar. The Antelopes are without WR/DB Chasio Gaines (dislocated shoulder).

QB Michael Place (9 of 28, 106 yards, one TD) has struggled, but RB Bruce Molock - who gained just 9 yards in 11 carries in the opener - came back with 136 yards (14 carries), including a 66-yard TD run. He needs a big game so Antelope Valley can control the football.

Bishop Amat is ranked No. 3 in the state. RB Michael Wagner and WR/DB Dennis Wyrick are both being heavily recruited. Wagner had 170 yards and three TDs in a convincing 33-0 win over Muir last week.

VALENCIA (2-0) at SERRA (1-1)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Last year Valencia, 34, Serra 14.

The scoop:Manuel White is back. Although Valenica's running back isn't quite 100 percent since contacting a viral infection in August, he managed three TDs last week in a 49-7 win over Silverado. The senior rushed for 185 yards on 22 carries. ``He's not quite himself yet, but he gets better and better every day,'' coach Brian Stiman said. The Vikings are led by QB Brian Hamilton (15 of 28, 245 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs) and FB Ray Cassaday (12 carries, 99 yards, 3 TDs). The offense may be rolling, but Valencia's defense will have the task of holding a high-speed Serra offense spearheaded by Deshune McCullough. McCullough, who ran a 10.2 in the 100.

LONG BEACH POLY (2-0) at MUIR (1-1)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Last year Long Beach Poly 41, Muir 23.

The scoop:Last week it was Bishop Amat. Now Muir gets Long Beach Poly, a squad that's won 16 straight games and is ranked No. 2 in the nation by USA Today. The Mustangs' offense stalled in the 38-0 loss to Amat as sophomore QB Robert Luter started his first varsity game. But co-Coach Erik Johnson suspended Luter for tonight's game for violating team rules. Senior Corey Johnson will start at QB; James Samuel, who started the season opener at QB, will be at RB for the second straight week. Johnson said Samuel also will get some snaps under center. As for the Jackrabbits, who are coming off a 35-34 victory over Banning: They're known for their outstanding ground game, but the air attack has flourished. Senior WR Samie Parker has nine catches for 293 yards and four TDs, and senior QB Chris Lewis, who hasn't thrown an interception, has completed 25 of 41 for 629 yards and eight TDs. RB Larry Croom, who set a school record with 28 rushing TDs a year ago, is questionable with a groin injury.

DROP BY IF YOU'RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

TAFT (1-1) vs. DORSEY (1-0-1)

At Jackie Robinson Stadium

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

The scoop: Taft is back on track after beating Crenshaw 38-22. Marquis Brignac scored three rushing touchdowns and Lawrence Wallace added two more on receptions. Brignac is emerging as one of the best running backs in the area after his 122 yards and three TDs on 19 carries against Crenshaw. He is averaging 7.7 yards (255 total) on 33 carries. Dorsey tied El Camino Real 12-12 to open the season and beat Southgate 20-12. Asa Taylor is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior DE who already has six sacks and is a legitimate Division I college prospect. LB Jamir Isom is 6-1, 205 and is being recruited heavily. He leads the team in tackles with 37. Dorsey has an experienced offensive line that averages 300 pounds. Nevin McGee and Major Cobb are returning RBs and QB Lonnie Honeycutt is a dangerous running/passing threat.

SAN FERNANDO (2-0) at GRANT (1-1)

Kickoff: 3 p.m.

The scoop: San Fernando, sparked by RB Major Caldwell, comes off a 28-22 win over University. Caldwell leads the City Section with 376 yards (8.7 avg.) and four TDs. His running has eased the loss of top receiver Terrell Stanley (academically ineligible). The Tigers' offense is No. 2 in the section.

Improving Grant lost 32-10 at Franklin last week but features a good defense led by DL Michael Lee and a potent running attack. FB/LB Duriel Carter is solid on both sides.

PALMDALE (2-0) vs. VERBUM DEI (1-1)

at Downey Pius X High

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

The scoop: Palmdale, coming off a 14-7 win at Kennedy, had trouble with 333-student Verbum Dei (all boys) last year before pulling away in the second half to win 31-8. Verbum Dei made the Division X playoffs in 1997, finishing 8-3, but most of its top players are gone.

QB Johnathan Thompson (195 yards, 47 pct., four TDs) is Palmdale's main threat. He's an effective scrambler with a team-high 146 yards (a 6.6 avg.). LB Mark Hendricks, WR/S Shane Johnson and RB/DL Anthony Diggs are other top players. Hendricks is a returning all-Golden Leaguer, Johnson had four receptions for 107 yards and two TDs in the opener and Diggs had a big game last week with 54 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries. Diggs also had a game-saving sack with eight seconds remaining.

Verbum Dei lost 50-21 to Pacific last week.

QUARTZ HILL (1-1) vs. HESPERIA (1-1)

At Sultana High

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

The scoop: Quartz Hill beat Hesperia 28-3 early last year and looks to put forth a similar effort. The Rebels notched a forfeit victory from Hart, which used an eligible player against Quartz Hill in Week 1. Quartz Hill hasn't won on the field in its last seven games dating back to last season.

Quartz Hill scored first but fell 22-8 to Crespi last week. The Rebels feature some fast players such as QB Clifton Herbert and DB Anthony Dupleasis. Herbert is more of a runner (114 yards, 4.4 avg.) than a passer (4 of 9, 68 yards, two INTs).

Hesperia is led by QB Mack Green, RB Robert Cortina, DL Jose Macias and MLB Jaime Berrera. The Scorpions managed just 79 yards in Friday's 21-9 loss to Littlerock.

GRANADA HILLS (2-0) at SIMI VALLEY (1-1)

At Simi Valley High

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last year: Simi Valley 28-6

The scoop: Granada Hills, which downed Royal 17-7 last week, emerged into the Daily News Top 10 for the first time in several years at No. 8. The Highlanders had won three games in the past three years and will match that number with a victory over the Pioneers.

The resurgence has been equal parts offense, defense and coaching.

Quarterback Jason Winn is not spectacular, but he makes good decisions and rarely makes mistakes. He's passed for 277 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He has a sure-handed receiving corps led by Peter Gunny (9-180-1). Running backs Triston Frazier and Omari Mack don't have breakaway speed but can get the tough yards. On defense, the front four is sturdy and the linebackers, led by Adrian Padilla and Doug Baumwirt, are all over the place.

Simi Valley raced out to a big lead over Saugus last week, then held on for a 31-20 victory.

The Pioneers have found a star in junior Calvin Bell II. He scored three touchdowns against the Centurions, one of them on a 72-yard punt return.

Quarterback Tim Bird is 11 of 19 for 129 yards; fullback Jon Proja had 115 yards on 16 carries.

VENTURA (1-1) at ROYAL (0-2)

At Royal High

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Records: Ventura 1-1, Royal 0-2

Last year: Royal 35-7

The scoop: Royal was in the preseason Top 10 and managed to stay in after an opening-week loss, then fell after a 17-7 loss to Granada Hills. Now Royal just wants to win but must do a better job of getting in the end zone.

Dustin Cruz and Johnathan Palacios, who competed with each other in practice for the starting quarterback spot, will share time against the Cougars.

Palacios struggled against Granada Hills, but so did Cruz - although Cruz led the Highlanders to their only score when he completed three consecutive passes for 58 yards, the final one a 5-yard TD pass to tight end Kevin Krouse.

TEHACHAPI (2-0) vs. PARACLETE (2-0)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m..

The scoop: Paraclete looks to preserve its Division XII No. 1 ranking against a traditionally tough opponent. QB Rob Fockaert has blossomed in Paraclete's new passing-minded offense. He completed 21 of 28 for 401 yards and three TDs in a 33-28 win over Serrano last week. He has 590 yards passing (73 pct.) and four TDs in two games. WRs Michael Washington (15 catches, 11.9 avg., one TD), Tommy Breech (13 catches, 22.0 avg., three TDs) and Josh White (nine catches, 12.6 avg.) are the main targets.

``We're getting better every week,'' Fockaert said. ``Being the quarterback is a lot of work, but it's fun. It's exciting.''

CHATSWORTH (2-0) at POLY (0-2)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Chatsworth 51, Poly 12

The scoop: The Chancellors are undefeated and have outscored their opponents by a combined score of 85-35, thanks to the arm of junior QB Matt Cassel (423 yards, 6 TDs) and the legs of WR Reggie Lee, who caught three TD passes in Week 1. Lee was inactive last week with a shoulder injury, but he has been cleared to play. Poly narrowly lost to Kennedy in its opener, then was blown out by Wilson 36-8 last week. Junior RB Steven Smith has been slowed by a bad ankle; he rushed for only 54 yards vs. Wilson after going for 180 in the first week.

Compiled by Vincent Bonsignore, Chris Branam, Brian Dalziel, Gerry Gittelson, Jim Inghram

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos, Box

Photo: (1) WESSERMAN

(2) WALLACE

(3) LEE)

Box: DAILY NEWS PEERLESS PROGNOSTICATION