We have officially arrived at the midway point of the regular season, and the action is heating up in the San Fernando Valley. Two games on the schedule could potentially be the tiebreaker in tight league races. The reigning kings of the city have one final tough non-league test before officially jumping back into West Valley action. Here are the top games to watch around the Valley tonight:

Grant Lancers (3-1) at Chavez Eagles (1-2) – Chavez H.S., 7 pm kickoff

The Lancers have been one of the pleasant surprises in the first half of the season. They have the look of a title contender now that their young nucleus looks to have matured. They will face a tough road test in Chavez who also looks like a team poised to make a jump.

Birmingham Patriots (0-3) at Calabasas Coyotes (3-1) – Calabasas H.S., 7:30 pm kickoff

The Patriots get one final tune-up before they begin their defense of the West Valley title. The Coyotes have played well to begin the season and will want to use Birmingham as a springboard into the second half of their season. Expect some fireworks in Calabasas tonight.

Mary Star of the Sea Stars (4-0) at St. Genevieve Valiants (3-1) – L.A. Valley College., 7 pm kickoff

An important game in the Camino Real League title chase goes down at LAVC on Friday night. The Stars and the Valiants both look like serious contenders through their first four games of the season, and this game could be the deciding factor in who wins that league. Expect the scoreboard to light up in this game, as both squads come into this game sporting offenses that have averaged more than 41 points per game so far this season.

San Fernando Tigers (3-2) at Kennedy Cougars (3-2) – Kennedy H.S., 7 pm kickoff

When the season began, it didn’t take long to realize that the Valley Mission would most likely be decided when these two teams would clash on the last Friday night in September. Of course, there will still be a lot of football left to play and anything could happen. But the winner of this game will have the inside track to the league championship.

---

VST Game of the week

Poly Parrots (3-1) at North Hollywood Huskies (4-0) – North Hollywood H.S., 7 pm kickoff

In keeping with the theme of the evening, this game could also figure heavily into what happens at the top of the East Valley League. Poly is a program on the rise, and they have played like it through the first half of the season. The North Hollywood Huskies have been the biggest story of the season as they have bounced back from the hardships of last season to look like the team to beat in the East Valley. The Huskies ran all over the Arleta defense last week, so the Parrots will have their work cut out for them. Expect a knockdown, drag-out fight in this game.