HS FOOT: Big games this week

BIG GAMES

All games Friday, 7 p.m.

TAFT (2-2) at CRESPI (4-1) - If you like great passing and lots of scoring, this San Fernando Valley special is a can't miss.

Taft features QB Michael Bercovici, who set a school single-game passing yardage record of 474 yards two weeks ago, along with WR Michael Thomas, who is the nephew of Keyshawn Johnson and is playing like it with 35 receptions for 576 yards and six TDs.

Crespi counters with QB Kenny Stenhouse, who has twice set Crespi's single-passing yardage record -- including 493 yards in a win Friday at Vista Murrieta -- along with Devin Lucien, who has 31 receptions for 591 yards and nine TDs.

CHAMINADE (4-0) at NOTRE DAME (1-4) - A year ago, Notre Dame defeated Chaminade 21-3, but the landscape is a lot different this season.

Chaminade is vastly improved because of influx of new players like transfers Terrell Newby from Montclair Prep and Jaloni Williams from Oaks Christian, plus the Eagles return top PK Matt Goudis.

Notre Dame is rebuilding because of the graduation of record-setting QB Ryan Kasdorf and the transfer of top returning RB Jacob Smith to Granada Hills via Canyon, plus the Knights don't have a standout PK for the first time in at least two decades.

LOYOLA (2-3) at VALENCIA (4-0) - Two traditional powers, both featuring top quarterbacks and running backs, go head to head in this attractive nonleague matchup that figures to be one of the few remaining tough opponents for a Valencia squad looking to finish undefeated in the regular season for the second year in a row.

Loyola QB Jerry Neuheisel and RB Jared Baker test their mettle against Valencia ultra productive duo of QB Alex Bishop and Steven Manfro. Bishop is 20-1 as a starter, and Manfro has scored 19 TDs - an average of nearly five per game. Loyola's three losses have been to opponents with a combined record of 12-2.