THIS WEEK'S KEY GAMES.Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 4 WESTLAKE (1-0) at No. 3 NOTRE DAME Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame (1-0) 7:30 p.m. Player to watch: Rudy Carpenter, QB, Westlake If Westlake wins, the transfer quarterback will be the difference. Key stat: 8 Sacks by Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks on Birmingham quarterback Andrew Miramontes last week. The Knights will need to put similar pressure on Carpenter. Why Westlake will win: Carpenter already seems to have established good chemistry with WR Michael Stuart Michael Stuart (born January 9, 1975 in New York City) is a salsa singer and actor of Puerto Rican descent. Early years Stuart's parents emigrated from Puerto Rico and settled in New York City in the 1960s. Stuart received his primary and secondary education in there. and TE Jimmy Miller, who are tough to bring down. The offensive line is huge and might be able to keep the defense off Carpenter. Why Notre Dame will win: The way Notre Dame always wins, with defense. The Knights need to disrupt Carpenter's rhythm and run the ball to score points and eat up the clock. Last week, Notre Dame's four touchdowns came on the ground. Last week: Westlake beat Santa Paula Santa Paula (săn`tə pôl`ə), city (1990 pop. 25,062), Ventura co., S Calif., on the Santa Clara River in a fertile valley that yields citrus fruits, avocados, vegetables, flowers, nursery products, and walnuts; laid out 1875, inc. 42-0; Notre Dame beat Birmingham 30-6 Perspective: Notre Dame won the Southern Section Div. III championship last year; Westlake was runner-up in Div. IV. Notre Dame beat Westlake 35-21 in Week 2 last season. Outlook:Notre Dame proved its mettle met·tle n. 1. Courage and fortitude; spirit: troops who showed their mettle in combat. 2. Inherent quality of character and temperament. last week with a victory over defending City champion Birmingham of Lake Balboa. Westlake playing Santa Paula was akin to USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. playing a Div A DIV Associate of Divinity . I-AA school. Notre Dame should be stronger for having faced real competition. No. 1 HART (0-1) vs. ST. BONAVENTURE (1-0) at Moorpark College Moorpark College is a California-state funded community college located on a 134 acre (542,000 m²) property reclining on a hill in Moorpark, a town in Ventura County, California. , 7:30 p.m. Player to watch: Brian Elledge, LB, Hart As expected, Elledge led the team with 13 tackles last week. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder had a school-record 134 last season. Key stat: 0 Number of passes Hart completed in the second half after starting QB Sean Norton (rib injury) exited after two quarters. Why Hart will win: Yes, Hart of Newhall is 0-1, but the team doesn't lose often. Hart has lost more than twice in a season just once - going 9-3 in 1996 - since 1992. And though Norton (rib injury) is questionable, Hart's defense is superb. The team held high-powered Los Alamitos Los Alamitos (lôs ăləmē`təs, lŏs), city (1990 pop. 11,676), Orange co., NE of Long Beach, S Calif., in a suburban area; inc. 1960. Los Alamitos Racetrack and U.S. military installations are nearby. to 216 yards last week. Why St. Bonaventure will win: The team has beaten everyone else it has played the past several seasons. And heavily recruited DB Terrail Lambert is among the nation's best players, returning an interception 92 yards for a touchdown last week. Last week: Hart lost 20-17 to Los Alamitos; St. Bonaventure beat Centennial of Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. 34-6. Perspective: St. Bonaventure of Ventura won 43 in a row before losing to Hart 31-6 last year. Since that defeat, St. Bonaventure has won 13 in a row, including the Div. IV championship in December. Outlook: If Norton can't go, or if he's hurting, Hart will need another strong performance from RB Dan Howell. Howell appears up to the task after rushing for 155 yards and two TDs (including a 55-yarder) last week against Los Alamitos. Meanwhile, St. Bonaventure was more than ``lucky'' to win in Las Vegas last week. Matt Lee rushed for 105 yards and three TDs and also caught three passes. QB Brian Stevens, who played poorly against Hart last year, was nearly perfect against Centennial, going 19 of 21 for 148 yards. No. 9 VALENCIA (1-0) vs. BIRMINGHAM (0-1) at Canyon High, 7 p.m. Player to watch: Shane Morales, WR, Valencia Morales, the team's leading returning WR, had a personal-best nine receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown last week. Key stat: .721 Valencia QB Mike Herrick's passing percentage (31 of 43) last week Why Valencia will win: Last week's 31-28 comeback victory at annual power Bishop Amat of La Puente La Puente (lä pwĕn`tē), city (1990 pop. 36,955), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles; laid out 1841, inc. 1956. Primarily residential, the city manufactures hardware, electronics, and paper products. was a confidence booster. Never has Valencia's passing game been so impressive. Meanwhile, defending City Section champion Birmingham, decimated by graduation, is rebuilding. Why Birmingham will win: Birmingham of Lake Balboa has more team speed, which concerns Valencia coach Brian Stiman. Plus, the team faced a difficult opponent in Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks last week. Notre Dame is the defending Div. III champion after finishing 14-0 last season. Perspective: The schools have never played each other in football, but they are among the region's most successful the past three seasons. Birmingham is 31-10 for a .775 winning percentage since 2000, and Valencia is 27-12 (.692 winning percentage) over the same period. Last week: Valencia beat Bishop Amat 31-28; Birmingham lost to Notre Dame 30-6. Outlook: Birmingham must be concerned about Valencia's passing game. QB Herrick is the obvious focus after he threw for 400 yards and accounted for four touchdowns last week. If Herrick, who rallied his team from a 21-point deficit against Bishop Amat, keeps the pace, Birmingham is in big trouble. THIS WEEK'S OTHER TOP GAMES KENNEDY (0-1) at No. 5 PALMDALE (1-0) 7 p.m. Player to watch: Adrian Jenkins, RB, Palmdale Kennedy of Granada Hills gave up 242 rushing yards last week to Cleveland of Reseda. Jenkins gained 297 yards against Barstow last week. How many will he get this week? Key stat: 360 Total offensive yards given up by Kennedy to Cleveland last week. Last year Cleveland averaged 123.2 yards a game. Why Kennedy will win: A surprise thunderstorm thunderstorm, violent, local atmospheric disturbance accompanied by lightning, thunder, and heavy rain, often by strong gusts of wind, and sometimes by hail. hits the desert with Kennedy leading 2-0 after a safety and Palmdale must forfeit To lose to another person or to the state some privilege, right, or property due to the commission of an error, an offense, or a crime, a breach of contract, or a neglect of duty; to subject property to confiscation; or to become liable for the payment of a penalty, as the result of a . Why Palmdale will win: Holmes is back and ready to prove himself after a one-game suspension. Jenkins is confident after his game last week. Last week:Palmdale beat Barstow 38-16; Kennedy lost 43-8 to Cleveland. Perspective: Palmdale advanced to the Div. III semifinals last season and is favored to go far in the playoffs again this season. Kennedy was 0-10 last year. Outlook: This could be a record-breaking night for Palmdale, but coach Jeff Williams For the poker player, see . For the physician, see . For the astronaut, see . Jeff Williams (born June 6, 1972 in Canberra) is an Australian-born, left-handed pitcher for the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. will probably pull his starters once the Falcons get a comfortable lead instead of risking injury before next week's showdown with Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks. SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. (1-0) at No. 8 ANTELOPE VALLEY This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley (1-0) 7 p.m. Player to watch: Mychal Bogan, QB, Antelope Valley Bogan had a solid first game last week against Bakersfield, and look for him to have a big game now that he's got his first career start out of the way. Key stat: 0 How many times Antelope Valley tried to kick an extra point last week against Bakersfield. A.V. tried a two-point conversion In American football and Canadian football, a team may try to score a two-point conversion (score two points) instead of an extra point (one point) immediately after it scores a touchdown. after each of its three touchdowns and converted none. Why Santa Barbara will win: The same surprise thunderstorm that cancels Palmdale's game travels north to Lancaster and A.V. fumbles when a lightening lightening /light·en·ing/ (lit´en-ing) the sensation of decreased abdominal distention produced by the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity, two to three weeks before labor begins. bolt flashes overhead, and Santa Barbara returns it for a touchdown before the game is called. Why Antelope Valley will win: The Antelopes dominated a far better team last week. Perspective: Santa Barbara was 0-10 last year and gave up more than 3,500 yards on defense. Antelope Valley was 10-3 last season and looked to be in midseason form last week. Outlook: Look for Antelope Valley's backups to be in the game by the second half and for this game and the score to get out of hand. SAUGUS (1-0) vs. HIGHLAND (0-1) of Palmdale at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. , 7:30 p.m. Player to watch: Travis Babin, QB, Saugus He was 6 of 22 for 71 yards and no TDs last week. But as many as 10 passes were dropped and several attempts were purposely pur·pose·ly adv. With specific purpose. purposely Adverb on purpose USAGE: See at purposeful. Adv. 1. thrown away to avoid sacks. Key stat: 149 Number of yards Highland of Palmdae allowed during last week's 9-7 loss to Paraclete of Lancaster. The yardage yard·age 1 n. 1. An amount or length measured in yards. 2. Cloth sold by the yard. Noun 1. total was lowest among the region's losing teams in Week 1. Why Saugus will win: The whole school is ``buzzing with excitement'' according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. baseball coach Casey Burrill, who was the school's athletic director Athletic director (commonly, "athletics director") is a position at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, which oversees the work of the coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic last year. Such momentum can go a long way in high school football, though Highland appears to be a solid favorite. Why Highland will win: The team faced a solid opponent last week in small-schools power Paraclete - and almost won the game. Meanwhile, Saugus barely escaped with a victory last week against a team that was 1-9 last year. Last week: Saugus beat Hilltop 28-25; Highland lost to Paraclete of Lancaster 9-7. Perspective: Saugus lost by 12 points at Highland last year and started 0-4, perhaps the worst first month in school history. Highland, meanwhile, improved to 2-0 that night for the first time in seven years, and eventually the team made the playoffs. Outlook: Both teams pride themselves on defense, so expect a tight, hard-hitting game. Saugus must improve its fundamentals, so the team must avoid careless mistakes - such as when it allowed a touchdown return on the opening kickoff last week - because Highland won't let Saugus off the hook as Hilltop did. CANOGA PARK (1-0) at MONROE (1-0) 7 p.m. Player to watch: Thomas Johnson Thomas Johnson may refer to:
A senior who was academically ineligible last season, Johnson broke through with two touchdown receptions in the season opener. Key stat: 4 Monroe's total first downs in Week 1 against Fairfax, enough to win 14-12. Why Canoga Park will win: QB Tony Egues is a solid player who has several targets. He has Jason Egan and Noe Valencia, both outstanding athletes, and adds Johnson. RB Leon Shelton missed most of last season with a knee injury but returned to rush for 78 yards on 17 carries in Week 1. Why Monroe will win: A strong defense, led by DL Alan King and LB Ryan Davis, are holding things together for now. Rashaad and Chris Richards
Christopher Robert Richard (born June 7, 1974, in San Diego, California) is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman. He is an alumnus of Oklahoma State University. Jr., sons of the coach, provide athleticism on offense. But Rashaad's athleticism was wasted at WR last week. He might see time at quarterback in this one. Last week: Canoga Park beat Eagle Rock 21-14; Monroe beat Fairfax 14-12 Perspective: Canoga Park squeaked by Monroe of North Hills 15-14 last year. That was a disappointing year for both teams, with each finishing below .500. This season brings more promise. Outlook: Despite the improvement by both teams, expect another low-scoring game. Canoga Park holds the advantage because of its offense. Monroe will need to triple its 110 total yards of last game to win. VILLAGE CHRISTIAN (1-0) at OAKS CHRISTIAN (1-0) 7:30 p.m. Player to watch: Jimmy Clausen James Richard "Jimmy" Clausen (born September 21, 1987, in Thousand Oaks, California[3]) is an American football player. He is a quarterback at the University of Notre Dame. , QB, Oaks Christian Clausen doesn't start but is expected to play. It's always interesting to see a future standout in his beginning stages. Key stat: 852-180 Total yards with which the teams combined to beat their Week 1 opponents. Oaks Christian of Westlake Village outgained Calvary Chapel Calvary Chapel is a non-denominational, Protestant fellowship of churches which began in 1965 in Southern California. The term "fellowship of churches" is used in contrast to a denomination. of Murrieta 413-108 and Village Christian of Sun Valley outgained Mojave 439-72. Why Village Christian will win: They are much more experienced than last time teams met. All the skill players return, including quarterback Jake Hagedorn and RB Jason Christensen, the Alpha League most valuable player. The JV team also won the league and added another infusion of talent. Why Oaks Christian will win: Starting QB Joey Halzle Joey Halzle is a quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners. He graduated from Oaks Christian High School. He is currently the backup to Sam Bradford at the position. [1] References 1. ^ Redshirt freshman wins Sooner QB job rarely makes a mistake and is good enough to hold off Clausen. RB Aaron Ware is among the area's best at his position but rarely has to get a full load of carries. Last week: Village Christian beat Mojave 36-10; Oaks Christian beat Calvary Chapel 42-0 Perspective: Most small schools run the ball. These are the two best passing small schools in the area. It will be interesting to see how the less-heralded but capable Hagedorn can match up. Outlook: Village Christian is Christian I (krĭs`chən), 1426–81, king of Denmark (1448–81), Norway (1450–81), and Sweden (1457–64), count of Oldenburg, and founder of the Oldenburg dynasty of Danish kings. stronger than last year and likely will fare better than that 36-3 loss to Oaks Christian. This is a good test for Village Christian to gauge its potential. But Oaks also is improved and should win. TAFT (0-1) at CARSON (0-1) 7 p.m. Player to watch: Brandon Anson, WR, Taft One of few bright spots in Taft's loss to Crenshaw cren·shaw also cran·shaw n. A variety of winter melon (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) having a greenish-yellow rind and sweet, usually salmon-pink flesh. [Origin unknown.] (4 catches, 86 yards). Key stat: 39-0 Score by which Taft beat Carson last year, and a number that certainly will be on the mind of Carson players. Why Taft will win: The Toreadors of Woodland Hills have the talent, but they're young. They grew up a lot last week, however, and this game will show their mettle. QB Josh Portis made a lot of mistakes last week but now has his first varsity start out of the way. Sophomore RB Shelton Banks is a future standout and could see an increased load. Why Carson will win: This City title contender lost to City favorite Venice last week and will want to take it out on Taft, as well as make up for last year's humbling defeat to a better Taft team. QB Boneigh Napoleon was outstanding as a sophomore. The defense is Carson's strength, led by DL Norris Malele. Last week: Taft lost to Crenshaw 34-6; Carson lost to Venice 34-14 Perspective: Taft entered the season with one starter back on defense and two on offense. Last year's game was worse than it seemed. Taft led 32-0 at the half before calling off the dogs. Outlook: Carson needs this game. Taft, a young team unsure of itself, just wants it. Carson should repay last year's blowout. VENICE (1-0) vs. LOYOLA (1-0) at Santa Monica College Santa Monica College was first opened in 1929 as Santa Monica Junior College. Current enrollment is 32,000 students in more than 90 fields of study. The college also has one of the largest international student populations of any community college in the US, with approximately , 7:30 p.m. Player to watch: Ryan Graves, WR, Venice We'll be watching this guy for years because he has already committed to UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX . Key stat: 250 Career coaching victories of Loyola coach Steve Grady, reached in the season-opening win over Hawthorne. Why Venice will win: Venice is loaded with offensive threats. The wideout on the other side, Gerald Rodriguez, averaged 22.3 yards a catch last season. QB Beau Davis, a transfer from Carson, can get them the ball. And RB Byron Ellis could be the best in the City Section. Why Loyola will win: Too disciplined, deep and big to lose to a City Section team. QB Scott Deke deke tr.v. deked, dek·ing, dekes To deceive (an opponent) in ice hockey by a fake: deked the goalie with a move from left to right. n. already has committed to Virginia. He didn't have to pass in the last game as RB Trason Bragg rushed for all four touchdowns. This is a more balanced Loyola team than usual. Last week: Venice beat Carson 34-14; Loyola beat Hawthorne 27-0 Perspective: Venice is the favorite to win the City Section this year, with the addition of Graves (transfer from Muir of Pasadena) and Davis. Outlook: At skill positions, Venice blows Loyola away. But when it comes to overall talent, grit in the trenches and coaching, Loyola always wins out. That is where the Cubs of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. will win. - Gerry Gittelson and Ramona Shelburne Ramona Shelburne is an American sports journalist currently writing for the Los Angeles Daily News. Shelburne was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She attended El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, California where she was a class valedictorian. contributed CAPTION(S): box, 3 maps Box: PEERLESS PROGNOSTICATION Map: (1) Notre Dame High (2) Moorpark college (3) Canyon High |
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