It’s week eight in the season, and the Foothill League standings are starting to take shape. This week, Golden Valley looks to remain in front of Saugus for the third spot in the league standings with a Thursday night matchup against Valencia.
And at Canyon High School, it’s one of the oldest and most prestigious rivalries in Santa Clarita football, Hart and Canyon.
And after a win over West Ranch, Saugus will return in week nine following its bye.
As for the private schools, Santa Clarita Christan returns from its bye on the road and Trinity will look to keep up its momentum following a win at home.
Here’s a look at this week’s matchups:
Valencia vs. Golden valley
The Vikings (6-2, 3-0) football team has been perfect since Foothill League play began, with three straight wins including a blowout win at home over Canyon.
This week, the team hits the road for a Thursday night matchup against Golden Valley (3-4, 2-1), which won at home in week seven over Castaic.
The matchup against the Grizzlies marks Valencia’s first true road game since week three, when the Vikings defeated Paraclete in Lancaster, following a stretch of three straight home games at Valencia High School.
And if there’s any indicator of how this game will go for Valencia, look at the Vikings’ matchup in week five against Saugus.
The Grizzlies operated a run-heavy offense with the quarterback-running back tandem of Jayce Johnson and Aaron McCormick.
Golden Valley has already eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards this season and averages 191.7 yards per game.
And if there’s one component in Valencia’s defense in which they’ve excelled in league play this season, it’s stopping their opponents’ run game.
In that matchup over Saugus, the Vikings held the Centurions’ offense to 38 yards. And last week, Valencia held Canyon, which operates with a similar offense, to three points.
If that’s any indicator of how this week’s Thursday night football game might go, Valencia has a favorable matchup to remain perfect in the Foothill League going into week nine.
Signal Staff Pick:
Ryan Romero: Valencia remains perfect in league, 42-17 Vikings
Hart vs. Canyon
Following a big win at home over Castaic, Hart (6-2, 3-0) hits the road taking on its longtime rival in Canyon (1-7, 1-3).
And this week, the Hawks will be looking to carry their high-powered offense on the road.
Since the Foothill League season began, the Hawks have outscored their opponents 198-84 and haven’t scored below the 40-point line since the first week of the season.
And they’ll have another favorable matchup for another big night on offense.
Quarterback Jacob Paisano is second in the Foothill League in passing yards, and junior receiver Matix Frithsmith leads all backs and receivers in rushing yards and receiving yards along with total touchdowns.
With such a loaded offense for Hart, Canyon’s defense is going to need to execute all four quarters to contain its rivals.
But if what happened last week is any indicator, when the Cowboys lost on the road to Valencia 55-3, then Hart is poised for another big week to extend its perfect start to league.
Friday’s game between Hart and the Cowboys is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Canyon High School.
Signal Staff Pick:
Ryan Romero: Hart continues winnings ways, 42-21 Hawks
West Ranch vs. Castaic
Both teams are winless in league play going into this week, but by the end either Castaic (0-7, 0-3) or West Ranch (1-6, 0-3) will leave with their first win.
The Wildcats seek their first win since their victory on the road against Antelope Valley and have a good chance to do so this week.
Despite three straight losses to open league play, the team has had some bright spots in its offense.
The Wildcats dropped 21 points in the loss to Hart, and it has been the biggest performance since their last win.
And following a loss to Saugus on the road, West Ranch will be motivated to break out of its skid with a team that has yet to win a single game all year.
The Coyotes have not been competitive in any of the games they’ve played this year. And in league play, the team has been outscored 108-7 to its league rivals.
It’s been a year to forget for both programs, but a win this week can surely add some momentum for either going into the final stretch of the season.
Friday’s game between West Ranch and Castaic is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Valencia High School.
Signal Staff Pick:
Ryan Romero: West Ranch wins first league game, 28-14 Wildcats
SCCS at Lancaster Baptist
Santa Clarita Christian (0-6, 0-1) is coming off a well-needed bye week.
While amid a four-game road trip, the Cardinals have dropped their first two games including the league opener on the road to Desert Christian.
Although the team fell on the road, the Cardinals only lost by two possessions, their closest result all season.
But there is still some season left to be played for SCCS to secure its first win of the season and it can do so this week with a road game against the Lancaster Baptist Eagles.
The Eagles dropped their league opener to Faith Baptist and both teams will look to rebound this week this Friday.
This Friday’s game between the Cardinals and Eagles is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Lancaster Baptist.
Trinity at Riverside Prep
The Knights (3-3, 2-0) have turned their season around after starting the year 1-3.
With back-to-back Cottonwood League wins, Trinity sits second in the league standings and is one step closer to defending its title.
And following the win over Silver Valley at home, the Knights hit the road with a favorable matchup for the team as they prepare for the Riverside Prep Silver Knights.
The Silver Knights are 2-5 overall and have one league win, an 18-8 victory over Webb. And last week, Silver Valley lost on the road 28-12 to Santa Rosa Academy.
With the Knights carrying a lot of momentum into this week, Trinity has a favorable matchup to start Cottonwood League play with three straight wins.
Friday’s matchup between Trinity and the Silver Knights is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Riverside Prep.
