HS FOOTBALL: Climate has changed in West Valley League

Taft and Chatsworth ruled City Section football last year, particularly among San Fernando Valley programs, as Taft made it further than anyone by advancing to the Div. I semifinals - the fourth year in a row the Toreadors made it to the quarterfinals or better - while Chatsworth finished as the Div. II runner-up.

The climate has changed this season. They face off at 7:15 p.m. Thursday at Taft, and the winner will be fortunate just to make the playoffs as a third-place team. Taft is 3-6, 2-2 but has won two and in row, while Chatsworth, having moved up to Div. I, is 5-4, 1-3 with just one victory over a .500 opponent.

"We need to beat Taft to be considered for the playoffs, and they're in a similar situation," Chatsworth coach Andrew Kim said. "It's a very important game for both teams."

Meanwhile, Birmingham (7-2, 4-0) clinched the league title Friday with a 48--7 win over El Camino Real (7-2, 3-1) in a showdown that was not as close as expected.

"Hats off to Birmingham, but we couldn't have played any worse," El Camino Real coach Kevin Williams said.