Non-league football is over and now begins the time local programs in the Santa Clarita Valley have been waiting for – league season.
In the Foothill League, Saugus and Golden Valley kick off the league campaign after last year’s Halloween battle. And in the Heritage League, Trinity Classical Academy and Santa Clarita Christan renew their rivalry on the gridiron and highlight this week’s slate.
Here’s a look at this week’s matchups:
Saugus vs. Golden Valley
Last season, Golden Valley (2-2) and Saugus (3-1) battled for the final playoff bid in the final week of the season with the Centurions edging the Grizzlies in a comeback on Halloween night.
This Friday, both teams will look to start the Foothill League season 1-0.
The Centurions enter Friday’s matchup hot after ending their non-league campaign 3-1 and outscoring their opponents 164-74. And in the past three games, Saugus’ offense has scored 38 or more points in each game.
But as the Centurions enter Foothill League play, who will start as quarterback for the Centurions?
Junior Brayden Connelly and freshman Zach Barnes have not only traded respective starts but also have been alternating series in the game.
Regardless of who starts under center, Golden Valley’s defense will need to stop Saugus’ run game, which has recorded 480 yards and seven touchdowns through four games.
In the past three games, the Grizzlies’ run defense has given up 103 rushing yards per game and will need a consistent play all-around to come out on top over Saugus.
With Saugus’ offense averaging 120 yards per game, Friday’s contest will be a fun one with the Centurions appearing to have the edge.
Friday’s matchup between the Centurions and Grizzlies is scheduled for kickoff at 7 p.m. at Canyon High School.
Signal Staff Pick:
Ryan Romero: Centurions stay hot; Saugus 31, Golden Valley 21
Castaic vs. Valencia
Although the Castaic football team enters Week 4 with a 2-2 record, this year’s Coyote team is filled with players who can handle opposing offenses and defense.
With players such as Cody King, who leads all Foothill League quarterbacks in passing yards, or Lucas Duryea, who leads the Foothill League in total tackles, the Coyotes are a team that can pull off an upset win.
This week, the Coyotes will face the biggest test of them all: the three-time reigning Foothill League champion Valencia Vikings (2-2).
The Vikings enter Friday’s matchup not only looking to defend their home turf but also a 19-game winning streak in the Foothill League dating back to the 2022 season.
This year, the Vikings look poised to repeat and bounced back nicely last week following back-to-back losses with a 49-40 win over Paraclete.
The Vikings had a big performance on the ground with 268 rushing yards in the win over Paraclete along with five touchdowns. Nico Funez recorded 239 of the rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
The Vikings will look to kick off their Foothill League campaign with a home win but will face an early-season test against Castaic.
Friday’s game between the Vikings and Coyotes is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Valencia High School.
Signal Staff Pick:
Ryan Romero: Vikings extend league-winning streak. Valencia 42, Castaic 24
Canyon vs. West Ranch
Friday’s matchup between the Canyon Cowboys (1-3) and West Ranch (0-4) will be the return to the Foothill League for Wildcat head coach Sean O’Brien.
This week, O’Brien will look to lead the Wildcats to an opening-league win over the Cowboys. Friday’s contest is likely to be close, but the Cowboys enter the matchup with the edge.
This year, the Cowboys started the season 1-3 but are ranked as the No. 876 team in the state of California, according to MaxPreps.
As for West Ranch, the Wildcats hold the No. 917 spot in the rankings and have been outscored this season 169-41 through a four-game winless stretch.
Both teams need a bounceback win and can kick off Foothill League play with a victory that can help turn their seasons around.
Friday’s game between the Cowboys and Wildcats is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at College of the Canyons’ Cougar Stadium.
Signal Staff Pick:
Ryan Romero: Cowboys win narrowly. Canyon 24, West Ranch 21
Santa Clarita Christian vs. Trinity Classical Academy
The Faith Bowl is back.
This week marks the return of a fierce rivalry between Trinity Classical Academy (1-1) and Santa Clarita Christian (1-2) on the gridiron under the lights. And, it’s first time the two teams have been matched up since 2018.
Throughout the years, the rivalry has been lopsided in favor of Santa Clarita Christian as the Cardinals have been on the winning side of fourcontests, outscoring Trinity 167-66 and the last win coming in 2018.
This year, the Knights will look to reignite their rivalry with a win.
The Knights have outscored their opponents 82-39 through two games this season, including a 58-0 win over Desert Christian to kick off Heritage League play.
As for Santa Clarita Christian, the Cardinals are coming off a 60-0 loss to Sage Hill and have been outscored 40-108 through three games this season.
This week’s matchup is a must-win for both teams not only due to the rivalry between both schools, but the implications Saturday’s game holds for the Heritage League standings.
Saturday’s game between the Cardinals and Knights is scheduled for kickoff at 6 p.m. at College of the Canyons’ Cougar Stadium.
Signal Staff Pick:
Ryan Romero: Knights take Faith Bowl. Trinity 42, SCCS 28
