This Friday, Oct. 23, should feel like old times in the West Valley League when Birmingham and Taft have their annual gridiron battle.
It’s been awhile when both teams felt or actually were about equal going into the game. Taft (6-1, 2-0) may have the better record but Birmingham (4-3, 2-0) has played the tougher schedule. More important, both teams are unbeaten in league play. The outcome of this game will go a long way in determining who wins the league.
Taft, whose only loss was to unbeaten Sierra Canyon on Sept. 11, has won four straight including last week’s 57-38 demolition of El Camino Real. Toreadors quarterback Chris Duncan is having an outstanding season, with 1,750 passing yards and 24 touchdowns against four interceptions. Five receivers have at least 100 receiving yards on the year.
Birmingham, on a two-game winning streak, depends equally on the passing of quarterback Gabriel Cruz and legwork of running back Sterling Salguero.
The kickoff is scheduled at 7:15 p.m. at Taft High.
Other games involving Valley-area teams include:
Friday, Oct. 23
East Valley League
Chavez (1-6, 0-3) at Verdugo Hills (0-7, 0-3)
Grant (7-1, 4-0) at Arleta (7-0, 3-0)
North Hollywood (4-3, 1-2) at Monroe (4-4, 2-2)
Gold Coast-Valley
Sierra Canyon (7-0, 0-0) at Brentwood (4-2, 0-0), Los Angeles, 2:30 p.m.
Mission League
Bishop Amat (6-2, 3-1) at Chaminade (5-2, 2-1)
Notre Dame (1-6, 0-3) at Crespi (1-7, 0-4)
Loyola (6-1, 2-1) at Alemany (5-2, 1-2)
Olympic League
Whittier Christian (3-5, 0-2) vs. Village Christian (4-3, 0-1), Occidental College
Valley Mission League
Canoga Park (5-3, 4-0) at San Fernando (2-5, 2-1)
Panorama (1-6, 0-3) at Sylmar (5-2, 3-0)
Reseda (3-4, 1-2) at Kennedy (3-5, 2-2)
West Valley League
El Camino Real (3-4, 1-1) at Cleveland (4-3, 0-2)
Granada Hills (2-5, 1-1) at Chatsworth (5-2, 0-2)
Saturday, Oct. 24
Olympic League
Valley Christian (6-2, 2-0) vs. Heritage Christian (3-4, 0-1), Granada Hills High
Santa Fe League
St. Monica (5-1, 1-0) vs. St. Genevieve (2-6, 0-2), Poly High
All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.