One thing is certain: The Crusaders will win the game between Village Christian and Valley Christian of Cerritos in the Olympic League opener for both on Friday, Oct. 9.
But the teams share more than the team name “Crusaders,” and their school initials “V-C.” Both bring identical 4-2 records into the game and very similar point production. Valley Christian averages 31.5 points per game, while Village Christian averages 30.7 points.
How the teams get their points is what separates them.
Village Christian depends more on the rushing attack, which averages 226 yards a contest. The leading ball carrier is Aiham Abol-Hosn, senior, who has already amassed 638 yards and eight touchdowns on 71 carries.
Valley Christian leans more toward passing, averaging 229 yards a game. quarterback Jesse Smith, a senior, has completed 79 of 140 passes for 1,374 yards and 14 touchdowns with only five interceptions. His leading receivers — Robert Downs, a senior, and R.J. Van Kampen, a junior — have combined for 49 receptions, 943 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
The kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Valley Christian High School in Cerritos, CA.
Other games involving Valley-area teams include:
Friday, Oct. 9
East Valley League
Chavez (1-4, 0-1) at North Hollywood (3-3, 0-2)
Grant (5-1, 2-0) at Monroe (3-3, 1-1)
Poly (2-4, 1-1) at Verdugo Hills (0-5, 0-1)
Mission League
Alemany (5-0, 1-0) at Chaminade (3-2, 0-1)
Loyola (5-1, 1-1) at Crespi (1-5, 0-2)
Valley Mission League
Canoga Park (3-3, 2-0) at Reseda (3-2, 1-0),
Kennedy (1-5, 0-2) at Panorama (1-4, 0-1)
Van Nuys (1-5, 0-2) at Sylmar (4-2, 2-0)
West Valley League
Chatsworth (5-0) at Taft (4-1), 7:15 p.m.
Cleveland (4-1, 0-0) at Birmingham (2-3, 0-0)
Granada Hills (1-4, 0-0) at El Camino Real (2-3, 0-0)
Nonleague
Arleta (5-0) at San Fernando (1-4)
Sierra Canyon (5-0) at Nordhoff (1-5), Ojai, CA
Saturday, Oct. 10
Olympic League
Maranatha (3-3, 0-0) at Heritage Christian (3-3, 0-0)
Santa Fe League
Long Beach St. Anthony (3-2, 0-0), at St. Genevieve (2-4, 0-0)
All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.