HS FOOT: Taft, ECR ready for West Valley showdown

The season's most meaningful West Valley League showdown arrives Friday, when El Camino Real of Woodland Hills (7-0, 2-0) faces visiting Taft of Woodland Hills (4-3, 2-0) in a contest that almost surely will eventually decide the league championship.

"It's going to be a good game," said Lucky Radley, Taft's all-purpose back. "We've been watching film on ECR, and they're a great team. I think the most physical team is going to win."

Technically, Cleveland of Reseda (6-1, 2-0) is tied for first place, too, but the Cavaliers' have to prove themselves, as the six victories have come against opponents with a combined current record of 6-37. Cleveland still has to play Taft and El Camino Real over the final three weeks of the season, and the Cavs are not expected to finish better than third.

-- Gerry Gittelson