The Foothill League has not disappointed following last weekend’s opener that featured comeback wins, upsets and historic performances.
Going into the second week of league competition, the Castaic Coyotes are on their scheduled bye as rivalries highlight this week’s slate with Hart and Saugus.
Here’s a look at this week’s matchups:
Hart vs. Saugus
In recent seasons, whenever the Hart (3-1) and Saugus (4-1, 1-0) football teams matched up, the game proved to be a spectacle. In 2024, the teams combined for over 90 points in a shootout, and in 2025, the Hawks spoiled the Centurions’ perfect start to the season with a 46-35 win.
This year, both teams look poised to make a run at the Foothill League title, with this week’s slate being the ultimate test.
The Hart Hawks are coming off their scheduled bye after the team began the season 3-1 in non-league competition, outscoring opponents 110-63.
Defensively, the Hawks have allowed 15.7 points per game and will look to limit both Saugus quarterbacks in Brayden Connelly and Zach Barnes. Both quarterbacks tossed for a pair of touchdowns in last week’s win over Golden Valley.
As for Saugus’ defense, the Centurions will be tasked with stopping Matix Frithsmith, who has totaled 525 all-purpose yards through three games along with five touchdowns.
This week’s matchup is set to be a thriller with the Hawks looking poised to have the edge in what is likely to be a shootout.
Friday’s game between the Centurions and Hawks is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at College of the Canyons’ Cougar Stadium.
Signal Staff Pick, Ryan Romero: Hawks fly away with narrow win; Hart 31, Saugus 28
West Ranch vs. Valencia
After a lopsided win over the Castaic Coyotes, the Vikings (3-2, 1-0) extended their Foothill League winning streak to 20 games, a feat dating back to the 2022 season.
The Vikings will look to build upon that winning streak with another home matchup on Friday against the West Ranch Wildcats (1-4, 1-0).
Both teams began the Foothill League season 1-0, but one will remain undefeated following Friday’s contest.
For Valencia, sophomore Evan McCalister tossed for 311 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win over Castaic.
If the Wildcats want to come out on top on Friday, stopping McCalister will be key as West Ranch eyes its second win of the season.
Friday’s matchup between the Vikings and Wildcats is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Valencia High School.
Signal Staff Pick, Ryan Romero: Vikings win at home; Valencia 42, West Ranch 21
Golden Valley vs. Canyon
The Canyon Country football rivalry between Canyon (1-4, 0-1) and Golden Valley (2-3, 0-1) has proven to be a matchup worth watching in recent years.
Last season, the Grizzlies won in narrow fashion, 14-10, and have won two out of the last three contests against the Cowboys.
This year, both teams are eager to bounce back in Foothill League play as both began 0-1 after their respective losses.
For Golden Valley, the Grizzlies look for a bounce-back performance on offense after the Grizzlies totaled 200 yards.
As for Canyon, the Cowboys will look to quarterback Julian Carlin for a repeat performance after the senior quarterback tossed for a touchdown and 229 yards in last week’s loss to West Ranch.
Friday’s matchup between the Cowboys and Grizzlies is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Canyon High School.
Signal Staff Pick, Ryan Romero: Grizzlies bounce back; Golden Valley 28, Canyon 17
Trinity at Faith Baptist
Following a win over Santa Clarita Christian in last week’s Faith Bowl, the Knights (3-1, 2-0) will look to begin a three-game road stretch this Friday with a road contest against the Faith Baptist Contenders of Canoga Park.
The Contenders, who are undefeated with a 3-0 record, host the Knights in what is expected to be a heavyweight battle.
Faith Baptist enters this week’s matchup as the No. 11 ranked eight-man team in the state of California, according to MaxPreps. As for Trinity, the Knights come off a big win over their crosstown rivals in Santa Clarita Christian and ranked as the No. 15 team in the state, according to MaxPreps.
Both teams duel in a Heritage League battle that can determine who ends the year as the champion.
Friday’s matchup between the Contenders and Knights is set to kick off at 4 p.m. at Faith Baptist in Canoga Park.
SCCS at Cate
After a loss to the Trinity Knights in Saturday’s Faith Bowl, the Santa Clarita Christian Cardinals (1-4, 0-1) eye a bounce-back win on the road over the Cate Rams of Carpinteria.
The Cardinals enter the week with a 1-4 record and amid a five-game road trip that has featured back-to-back losses in the past two weeks.
The Cardinals are in need of a quick win to get back on track but will face a tough matchup in Cate as the Rams are ranked as the No. 15 eight-man team in the state of California, according to MaxPreps.
As for Santa Clarita Christian, the Cardinals are ranked as the No. 35 team and have been outscored 132-56 through four games.
Saturday’s matchup between the Cardinals and Rams is set to kick off at 1:30 p.m. at Cate High School in Carpinteria.
