THIS WEEK’S TOP FOOTBALL GAMES

SOUTHERN SECTION

La Verne Damien (5-1, 1-0) at Chino (6-0, 1-0), 7 p.m., Friday

Chino, ranked No. 2 by The Times, made its debut in the Sierra League last week with a 26-0 victory over Glendora. The challenge should be significantly greater against No. 21 Damien, which opened league play with a 24-21 come-from-behind victory over Diamond Bar. The Cowboys defeated Damien, 42-19, last season in the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division II playoffs, but might have to face the Spartans without running back Jacob Flowe, who has 17 touchdowns but left last week’s game in the second quarter with a sprained ankle.

San Clemente (4-2, 1-0) at Mission Viejo (6-0, 1-0), 7:30 p.m., Friday

Beau Budde’s broken foot still hasn’t healed, which means No. 15 San Clemente will try to end No. 3 Mission Viejo’s 20-game winning streak with backup quarterback Cole Bergquist, who passed for 266 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 28-20 victory over Mission Viejo Trabuco Hills. Mission Viejo scored 24 points off turnovers in its 37-0 victory over Lake Forest El Toro.

Martin Henderson

*

Canyon Country Canyon (6-0, 1-0) vs. Newhall Hart (5-0-1, 1-0) at College of the Canyons, 7:30 p.m., Friday

It’s like old times in the Santa Clarita Valley, where resurgent Canyon will try to end No. 5 Hart’s 54-game Foothill League win streak. Canyon has been helped by the return of junior linebacker Andrew Schantz, who missed the first three games recovering from a broken foot. Hart quarterback Sean Norton has attempted 184 passes without an interception and thrown 20 touchdown passes.

Eric Sondheimer

*

Manhattan Beach Mira Costa (6-0, 1-0) vs. Inglewood (4-2, 1-0) at Inglewood Coleman Stadium, 7 p.m., Friday

The Bay League champion will likely be determined tonight. Mira Costa rolled to a 42-0 victory over Peninsula in its league opener. Quarterback Peter Dobush and running back Michael Okwo sparked the No. 7 Mustangs to a 35-0 halftime lead. Inglewood had a tougher time in its league opener, a 36-20 victory over Leuzinger, but running backs Brian Flowers, Renaldo Davis and Solomon Jones and quarterback Troy Durk cannot be overlooked.

Mike Bresnahan

*

Los Alamitos (5-0-1, 1-0) vs. Anaheim Esperanza (6-0, 1-0) at Placentia Valencia HS, 7 p.m., Saturday

No. 4 Los Alamitos is a power even with quarterback Justin Elway sidelined a second consecutive week with a separated shoulder. Jeff Kline threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 118 yards and two more scores in a 42-21 victory over Huntington Beach. Rick Taloa, who has thrown for 12 touchdowns with only three interceptions, leads No. 8 Esperanza.

Ben Bolch

*

CITY SECTION

Venice (5-1, 3-0) at Westchester (5-1, 3-0), 7 p.m., Friday

Two contrasting styles meet in a game that will likely determine the Western League championship. Pass-happy Venice features senior quarterback Eddie Miller, who has completed 71.5% of his attempts for 1,890 yards and 16 touchdowns. The run-oriented Comets feature Brandon Hampton, who has gained 848 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.

Eric Stephens