Fairfax High in Los Angeles is becoming a place where Valley teams have gone to prove they’re on the way back up, as Taft did last year in pulling out a 36-30 road decision.
Why? Because the Lions are the kind of team that usually pulls off an unexpected victory of its own during the season. Fairfax (1-1) has already that by upsetting Carson, a perennial Division I contender in City football, by a 34-31 score on Sept. 3.
What makes this game interesting beyond Chatsworth (2-0) looking to stay unbeaten: both teams are in City’s Division II. It’s always dangerous to try and predict future playoff matchups, but it would not be a surprise if these teams met again in November — or even December, when the championship is decided.
Each team has a star player worth watching. Chancellors quarterback Tyger Goslin, a junior, is proving to be a duel threat as a runner and thrower with 178 yards and three touchdowns rushing, and 269 yards and three touchdowns passing. The Lions have a tireless running back in Ramses Hernandez, a senior, who has posted two 200-yard rushing games against Carson and Roosevelt of Los Angeles.
The kickoff at Fairfax is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Other games involving Valley-area teams include:
Nonleague
Friday, Sept. 18
Belmont (3-0) at Monroe (2-1)
Birmingham (2-1) at Chaminade (2-1)
Canoga Park (1-2) at Palisades (0-2)
Chavez (1-2) at Los Angeles (2-0), 3 p.m.
Corona Centennial (3-0) at Notre Dame (1-2)
Crespi (1-2) at St, John Bosco (3-0)
Dorsey (2-1) at Alemany (3-0)
El Camino Real (1-2) at Verdugo Hills (0-2)
Harvard-Westlake (2-1) at Taft (2-1)
Jefferson (1-2) at Grant (3-0)
Kennedy (1-2) at Granada Hills (0-3)
North Hollywood (3-0) at Gardena (2-0)
Panorama (1-2) at Legacy (2-1)
Poly (1-2) at Reseda (1-2)
Sylmar (1-2) at Torres (0-3)
South Gate (2-1) at San Fernando (0-2)
Van Nuys (1-2) at Cleveland (3-0)
Saturday, Sept. 19
Flintridge Prep (2-1) vs. Village Christian (1-2), Occidental College, 5 p.m.
Oxnard Santa Clara (0-1) vs. St. Genevieve (1-2), Poly High
Silver Valley (1-1) vs. Heritage Christian (1-2), Kennedy High
All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.