After last week’s Foothill League matchups, the playoff races are heating up as local teams eye to keep their postseason hopes alive with just three weeks remaining in the high school football season.
As for the Heritage League, the Santa Clarita Christian Cardinals and Trinity Knights were winners under the lights last week and look to return to play this week as host looking to shake up the standings.
Here’s a look at this week’s matchups:
Saugus vs. West Ranch
After back-to-back losses in Foothill League play, the Saugus Centurions (5-3, 2-2) responded with a much-needed win over Canyon last week.
Offensively, Saugus’ scheme of alternating two quarterbacks has been a success. In last week’s win, both freshman Zach Barnes and junior Brayden Connelly each tossed two touchdowns en route to the Centurions scoring 52 points on the Cowboys.
This week, the Centurions will be poised for another big day offensively as the team plays hosts to the West Ranch Wildcats, who’ve allowed 39 points per game.
But for West Ranch, the Wildcats shouldn’t be counted out in Friday’s contest.
Although the Wildcats have scored a touchdown in the last two weeks, Saugus’ defense has allowed 26.5 points per game all season, but in the past four weeks of Foothill League play, 34.5 points per game.
Offensively, the Centurions look to have the edge this week.
Friday’s game between the Centurions and Wildcats is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. at College of the Canyons’ Cougar Stadium.
Signal Staff Pick, Ryan Romero: Cents pick up league win; Saugus 38, West Ranch 24
Hart vs. Castaic
The Hart Hawks (6-1, 3-0) are amid a four-game winning streak and this week hit the road against the Castaic Coyotes (3-4, 1-2).
The Hawks will look to keep the streak of scoring 34 or more points in Foothill League play this week against the Coyotes.
One of the players expected to lead Hart offensively, senior Matix Frithsmith, recorded five touchdowns in last week’s win over West Ranch.
Frithsmith already leads the Foothill League in rushing yards and is tied in total touchdowns with Valencia’s Nico Funez.
As for Castaic, the Coyotes will be in for a tough matchup this week against the Hawks and Frithsmith after the team gave up 329 rushing yards in last week’s loss to Golden Valley.
Friday’s game between the Coyotes and Hawks is scheduled for kickoff at 7 p.m. at Valencia High School.
Signal Staff Pick, Ryan Romero: Hawks extend winning streak; Hart 35, Castaic 7
Valencia vs. Canyon
After a bye week, the Valencia Vikings (5-2, 3-0) hit the road in a matchup against the Canyon Cowboys (1-7, 0-4).
This week, the Vikings will look to roll out their offense that scored 62 points in their last game over Saugus.
With sophomore quarterback Evan McCalister leading the Foothill League in passing yards, and senior running back Nico Funez tied with Hart’s Matix Frithsmith in total touchdowns, Canyon’s defense will be in for a tough matchup on Friday.
Last week, Canyon’s defense gave up 52 points to Saugus’ offense and 333 points all season.
Since Foothill League play began, the Cowboys have allowed 42.2 points per game and will take on a Valencia offense that averages 41.4 points per game this season.
Friday’s game between the Cowboys and Vikings is scheduled for kickoff at 7 p.m. at Canyon High School.
Signal Staff Pick, Ryan Romero: Vikings win big; Valencia 42, Canyon 14
Sierra Lutheran vs. Trinity
Following a two-game skid, the Trinity Knights (3-3, 3-1) bounced back with a road win over Lancaster Baptist last week.
With the win, the Knights improved to .500 in the season with a 3-3 record and second in the Heritage League standings with a 3-1 record.
This week, the Knights will look to extend their winning momentum with a home matchup on Friday against the Sierra Lutheran Falcons of Carson City, Nevada.
The Falcons, who are 7-1 this season, enter this week’s matchup against the Knights ranked as the No. 63 team in Nevada, according to MaxPreps.
Friday’s game between the Falcons and the Knights is scheduled for kickoff at 7 p.m. at Hart High School.
Desert Christian vs. Santa Clarita Christian
After a bounce-back home win over Laguna Blanca on Saturday, the Cardinals (3-4, 0-2) return this week and play host to the Desert Christian Knights of Lancaster.
The Knights, who are 0-6 and 0-1 in Heritage League play, will be a favorable matchup for head coach Austin Fry and the Cardinals on Saturday.
Going into this week’s matchup, the Knights are ranked as the No. 99 eight-man team in the state, according to MaxPreps.
Last week, Santa Clarita Christian’s offense produced seven rushing touchdowns in the win with junior running back Isaac Lee recording five of his own.
This week, the Cardinals will look to even their season record to .500 in overall play and ultimately, their first Heritage League win of the season after back-to-back losses to Trinity and Faith Baptist.
Saturday’s game between the Cardinals and the Knights is scheduled for kickoff at 7 p.m. at Hart High School.
