HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TODAY

Manual Arts vs. San Fernando

San Fernando High 8 p.m.

San Fernando, the Valley’s top-ranked City team, opens its season against a Manual Arts team that only slightly resembles the Toiler teams that won 22 of 24 games and consecutive City 3-A championships the last two seasons. Only two starters return for first-year Coach Rodney Spencer, who moves up from the B team as he takes over for former coaches Steve Landress and Jeff Engilman. San Fernando has 12 starters back from a 5-4 team that finished third in the Valley 4-A League and lost to 4-A champion Carson, 39-32, in the opening round of the playoffs. “We look pretty good,” said Tigers Coach Tom Hernandez, who begins his fourth season and has a healthy team. “We’ve practiced well this week.”

Crenshaw vs. Kennedy

Kennedy High 8 p.m.

Kennedy Coach John Haynes was impressed with quarterback Eric Evans’ performance in a scrimmage last week against Chatsworth. “He threw the ball very well.” Roman Carter will start at tailback for the Golden Cougars, but Patrick Hardy should see plenty of action. Kennedy defeated Crenshaw, 17-8, in the season-opener last season, but Crenshaw then upset Kennedy, 21-14, in the first round of the City 4-A playoffs. Haynes is downplaying the revenge factor. “We’ve played them so many times in the past. We didn’t emphasis it. Of course, the returners would like to play a little better than they did last time.” This is the seventh straight season the two schools have opened the season against each other.

Chatsworth vs. Cleveland

Cleveland High 8 p.m.

Former Cleveland linebacker Steve Landress will make his debut tonight as coach of the Cavaliers. Landress is no stranger to success. He led Manual Arts to the last two City 3-A titles. Norman Love (5-9, 160) is scheduled to start at quarterback for Cleveland, which has no serious injuries. The Cavliers will meet a strong Chatsworth offensive line, led by two-year starter Alex Campos (6-3, 295). The Chancellors, cochampions of the Sunset League, were the only Valley team to win a playoff game last season. Said Chatsworth Coach Myron Gibford: “In the first game of the season, the team that makes the fewest mistakes usually wins.” Gibford is a bit apprehensive about his inexperienced defense, which he calls, “very, very green.”

San Pedro vs. Granada Hills

Granada Hills High 8 p.m.

Darryl Stroh, who won five City titles as the Highlanders’ baseball coach, begins his inaugural season at the helm of the football team. “We’re excited about the start of the season,” he said. “But I wish we had another week to prepare. We were very dissatisfied with our scrimmage. I don’t know whether we’re ready or not.” Quarterback Brent Spurlin, a transfer who paced Hart to the Foothill League championship last season, has won the starting quarterback job from incumbent Carl Yeargain. Spurlin’s primary target will be All-City receiver Greg Fowble. San Pedro has changed from its traditional veer-option attack to a more pass-oriented game plan, which Stroh said was “quite impressive” in a preseason scrimmage against City 4-A champion Carson.

Canoga Park vs. El Camino Real

Pierce College 8p.m.

El Camino Real and Canoga Park, which are located less than a mile from each other, begin the season by rekindling their hot rivalry. Tailback Kenny Durr was an all-league prospect at El Camino last season until he was given a disciplinary opportunity transfer to Canoga Park. He will open his senior season playing against his former teammates. In 1984, El Camino lost its last three games after leading in the final minute. Conquistador Coach Skip Giancanelli doesn’t believe his team will suffer as many fourth-quarter woes this season. “This is the youngest team I’ve had in a long time,” he said. “But we’re definitely a lot tougher mentally than last season.” Canoga Park Coach Ed McCarthy said, “Last week, I thought that El Camino was a little ahead of us. I’m hoping that we’ve come a long way in the last week.”

Reseda vs. Birmingham

Birmingham High 8 p.m.

“Reseda is a fine team. They have great offensive people,” Birmingham Coach Alan Epstein said. “Against us, they’re a two-touchdown favorite. If our defense has to play a lot, then we’ll have a hard time.” Epstein is concerned going into the Braves’ opener--for good reason. “The question mark is with my offense. I have no returning starters at the skill positions,” he said. To make matters worse for Epstein, the Regents have bullied Birmingham in the past. Said Reseda Coach Joel Schaeffer: “We have beaten them five years in a row. If we’ve prepared emotionally, we should do well.” Meanwhile, Epstein said, “We’ll have a balanced attack. We’ll take whatever we can get--passing or running. We will be competitive with most teams.”

Rio Mesa vs. Camarillo

Camarillo High 7:30 p.m.

Over 5,000 fans are expected to attend the annual rendition of one of the area’s biggest rivalries. The players from Camarillo and Rio Mesa went to junior high school together only to be split up once they reached high school. Last season, Camarillo beat the Spartans, 35-7, on its way to the Coastal Conference championship, while Rio Mesa finished 2-8. The Spartans are led by junior quarterback Steve Kerlan and running back Leonard Lee. Rio Mesa defensive back Darin Romano intercepted three passes last week against Channel Islands and is hoping to wreak similar havoc against the Scorpions. Mike Henry will start at quarterback for Camarillo after coming off the bench last week against Oxnard to pass for 109 yards.

St. Genevieve vs. Alemany

Alemany High 7:30 p.m.

St. Genevieve and Alemany will renew their long-standing rivalry. It’s been a rivalry of streaks. Alemany has won the last three meetings since St. Genevieve reeled off seven wins from 1976 to 1981. “I hope very much their streak doesn’t get to seven like ours did,” Valiant Coach Lindon Crow said. Alemany will attempt to increase the mark to four behind the passing of quarterback Sean Casey, who threw for 173 yards last week in the Indians’ 28-0 romp over Harvard. St. Genevieve will counter with a single-back offensive formation, featuring running back Jeff De La Cruz, last week’s Times Valley Player of the Week. He gained 141 yards, scored a touchdown and intercepted a pass in the Valiants’ 19-14 season-opening victory over Montclair Prep.