GAME DAY: A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

CITY SECTION

* BIRMINGHAM (6-1, 3-1) vs. TAFT (6-0, 4-0)

At Taft High, 7 p.m.

The Toreadors and Braves won big games last week to set this matchup that will likely decide the Northwest Valley Conference title. Taft scored two touchdowns in the first three minutes en route to a 41-21 victory over Kennedy. Birmingham needed overtime but was able to outlast El Camino Real. Tailback Emmanuel Evans is the fourth-leading rusher in the region with 1,245 yards and wide receiver Demetrus Patterson has practiced some this week while battling an ankle injury. The Toreador offense becomes more balanced each week behind quarterback Steve Alvarado (820 passing yards) and running backs Marquis Brignac and Sedric Hurns (1,097 combined rushing yards).

* SYLMAR (6-1, 4-0) vs. MONROE (6-1, 3-1)

At Monroe High, 7:30 p.m.

Don’t look for a 7-3 final here. Monroe leads area City Section offenses with 402.9 yards per game, while Sylmar is second with 401 yards per game. Vinny Walker has scored an area-best 18 rushing touchdowns in Monroe’s double-wing offense and George Garcia has rushed for 665 yards and 10 touchdowns despite being hobbled with a sprained left ankle the past four weeks. Sylmar counters with a more balanced attack; Errol Bowen averages 9.6 yards per carry and receiver Shaun Avalos averages 17.5 yards per catch. Ray Solis, a two-way starter at tackle for Sylmar, will not play because he was ejected for fighting last week against Grant.

SOUTHERN SECTION

* PALMDALE (5-2, 2-0) vs. ANTELOPE VALLEY (4-2, 2-0)

At Antelope Valley High, 7:30 p.m.

The only unbeaten teams in the Golden League, Antelope Valley and Palmdale are looking to repeat as league champion after tying with Highland for the 1996 title. It was the Antelopes’ third consecutive title and Palmdale’s first since 1965. The Falcons have not beaten the Antelopes since 1988. Antelope Valley’s defense has forced seven turnovers that have led to scores in the past two weeks. Sophomore Jon Molock had two fumble recoveries and a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 28-13 victory over Littlerock last week. Quarterback Justin Mobley and running backs Andrew Campbell and Jermaine Norman will need to compensate for the absence of leading rushers Bruce Molock and Nakia Manick, both doubtful as of Thursday because of sprained ankles. Palmdale has outscored two league opponents, 61-16. Running back Jason Anderson gained 243 yards last week against Quartz Hill after Shaun Perez was sidelined by a concussion. Perez, who gained 197 yards two weeks ago, is expected back.

* VALENCIA (5-2, 1-1) vs. BURROUGHS (4-3, 1-1)

At Burroughs High, 7:30 p.m.

Expect a playoff atmosphere in this game. Both teams are coming off Foothill League defeats and have tough league games remaining on their schedules (Burroughs plays first-place Hart, Valencia faces second-place Canyon the next week). The loser likely will have to pull off an upset to earn the league’s final playoff berth. Valencia must stop the Indian passing attack, something the Vikings couldn’t do in a 42-25 loss to Hart last week. Burroughs receivers Glenn Adriatico, Kyle Cremarosa and Brian Criscuolo all have more than 20 receptions. Sophomore running back Randy Beckmann, who became the starter in the first week, adds balance with a 4.9-yard average per carry. Burroughs must contend with 6-foot-2 sophomore Manuel White, who has 1,276 yards rushing. Burroughs was sloppy after taking a 14-6 halftime lead in its 33-21 loss to Canyon last week. The Indians committed a defensive penalty on a crucial Canyon fourth down, leading to a first down and an eventual Cowboy score.

* NEWBURY PARK (7-0, 4-0) vs. ROYAL (4-3, 1-3)

At Royal High, 7 p.m.

Newbury Park, ranked No. 1 in the region by The Times, faces a streaky Royal team that won its first three games, lost its next three and is coming off a victory over Channel Islands. Offensively, the Panthers and Highlanders could not be more different. Newbury Park features its high-powered passing game. Nick Czernek leads the region with 1,982 yards passing. He has completed close to 63% of his passes and thrown for 16 touchdowns with 10 passes intercepted. His main target is Jake Farrel, who has 38 catches for 694 yards and five scores. Royal’s Bryant Phipps has 838 yards rushing and nine touchdowns, and Steve Sheehan has 616 yards and six touchdowns.

* PARACLETE (6-1, 2-0) vs. BISHOP UNION (5-1, 2-0)

At Bishop Union High, 7:30 p.m.

After winning its first High Desert League title in 11 years last season, Paraclete can take a large step toward another title by beating the Broncos. Bishop, 10-2 and 4-1 in league play a year ago, suffered a 30-27 loss to the Spirits. The Broncos’ wing-T relies on running backs Steve Veenker and Nate Dondero. Veenker has rushed for 560 yards, has 260 yards receiving and has scored six touchdowns. Dondero is his lead blocker and a defensive leader at strong safety. Paraclete is led by Dominic Washington, who has rushed for 842 yards and 10 touchdowns. Though the Spirits rarely pass, Tommy Breech has caught 12 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns. The defense ranks fifth among area Southern Section teams, allowing 202.4 yards per game and features linemen Josh Foster, Peter Cich and Michael Lodovici and linebacker Rob McShea.

Other games:

City Section

Valley Pac-8 Conference: At 7:30 p.m., Grant at Poly, Canoga Park at Reseda, Van Nuys at North Hollywood. Northwest Valley Conference: at 2:15 p.m., El Camino Real at Cleveland. At 7 p.m., Kennedy at Granada Hills, Chatsworth at San Fernando. Northern Conference: At 2:15 p.m., Belmont at Verdugo Hills.

Southern Section

Alpha League: At 6 p.m., Maranatha vs. L.A. Baptist at Alemany High. At 7:30 p.m., Kilpatrick vs. Montclair Prep at Valley College. Channel League: At 7:30 p.m., Oxnard at San Marcos, Ventura at Hueneme, Rio Mesa vs. Buena at Ventura High. Foothill League: At 7 p.m., Saugus at Canyon. At 7:30 p.m., Burbank vs. Hart at College of the Canyons. Frontier League: At 7:30 p.m., Calabasas at Nordhoff. Golden League: At 7:30 p.m., Quartz Hill at Highland. Marmonte League: At 7 p.m., Simi Valley at Thousand Oaks, Westlake at Camarillo. Mission League: At 5 p.m., Notre Dame at Bishop Montgomery. At 7:30 p.m., Chaminade at Serra. Pacific League: At 7:30 p.m., Glendale vs. Crescenta Valley at Glendale High. Tri-Valley League: At 7:30 p.m., Fillmore at Oak Park.

8-man

Agape League: At 7:30 p.m., Antelope Valley Christian at Victor Valley Christian. Delphic League: At 3 p.m., Masada at Campbell Hall.