Week Three has arrived, and as we hit the quarter mark of the season, several teams have begun to establish themselves as real championship contenders here in the San Fernando Valley. Some squads bounced back from setbacks. An East Valley team debuts on the list after a strong performance that suggests they might be a real contender too. Here is the latest edition of the Valley Sports Telegrams’ SFV football power rankings this week:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-0)
   The Cavaliers went up to Castaic and made the 2-0 Coyotes look like a JV team. This Cavs team is more than the sum of its parts, and their discipline and toughness have been on full display early in the season. They’ll look for a 4-0 start as they host Franklin at home this week.
2. Kennedy Cougars (3-0)
   The Cougars continue to prove they are a team in position to make a run in Open in November. They boat-raced Canyon last week and now focus on keeping possession of Tina when they head to Granada Hills this week.
3. Panorama Pythons (3-0)
   Another week, another beatdown courtesy of Brandon Hernandez and this rugged Panorama squad. El Camino Real better bring their neon vests and construction hats this week. They’ll have a heavy-duty task trying to slow down this Python rushing attack.
4. Arleta Mustangs (2-0)
   The Mustangs had a bye last week, and now they will look to keep up their early-season momentum in a tough road test at Chatsworth. They’ll need Jesse Rios to continue bringing the young group of talent around him to play steadily if they want to stay in the top half of the rankings next week.
5. Taft Toreadors (2-1)
   The Toreadors hit a snag on the road at Nordhoff in Week One, but took out their frustration on Los Angeles to the tune of 57-0 in Week Two. They’ll look for two in a row on the road at Channel Islands this week.
6. Granada Hills Highlanders (2-1)
   The Highlanders erased the terrible taste of that Venice blowout by taking down Palisades last week. The task gets even harder when Kennedy pays a visit for the annual battle for “Tina”.
7. Poly Parrots (1-1)
   The Parrots felt good heading into their bye last week, coming off a shutout victory at San Fernando. Coach Boo Williams will meet a familiar foe when Sylmar comes to town for the Parrots’ home opener this week.
8. Van Nuys Wolves (2-1)
   Say what you want about this young Wolves bunch, but they are as mentally tough as any team in the city. It was a nice bounce-back win on the road at Roybal last week. They’ll hit the road again this week to take on Lynwood.
9. Chatsworth Chancellors (1-1)
   It was a rough night for the Chancellors on the road at Westlake last week, but this team will get the chance to right the ship when Arleta comes in for an All-Valley clash this week.
10. Verdugo Hills Dons (1-1)
    Verdugo Hills showed that their week one road performance at Marquez wasn’t a flash in the pan, but a sign this team means business in 2026. Jared Smith had his hands all over the victory over Canoga Park last week. The Dons will need him to continue his stellar play if they want to start a winning streak on the road at George Washington Prep this week.