It is a jam-packed week of action in the San Fernando Valley, with fourteen matchups being hosted all in our backyard on Thursday and Friday nights. The action will be headlined by the latest installment of the heated rivalry between Granada Hills’ crosstown rivals. Here is the best of the action you won’t want to miss going down around the SFV this week:

#17 Birmingham Patriots (0-2) at Calabasas Coyotes (3-0) – Calabasas H.S., Thursday 9/10, 7 pm kickoff

The Patriots offense showed signs of life last week against Moorpark, and they will try to keep the ball rolling in a positive direction when they go on the road to face a formidable Calabasas defense this week. Freshman quarterback Exavier Johnson showed tremendous poise, leading Birmingham to three scoring drives with his arm and scrambling ability. The Patriots better be ready to expect the same from Calabasas signal-caller Dominic Hardy, who has 9 total touchdowns through their first three contest.

#15 Panorama Pythons (3-0) at El Camino Real Royals (0-3) – El Camino Real H.S., Friday 9/11, 7 pm kickoff

Brandon Hernandez has been on a tear to start the season, averaging 243 yards per game on the ground. The Pythons hit the road for the first time since week zero and will take on an Elco squad hungry to put a tally in the win column for the first time this season. The Royals are young, but they compete hard every week. Can they muster up enough will to derail the Panorama run game? We will have to wait and see.

Sylmar Spartans (1-1) at Poly Parrots (1-1) – Poly H.S., Friday 9/11, 7 pm kickoff

It should be a fun affair Friday night in Sun Valley as the Parrots host the Spartans in their home opener. Coach Boo Williams will look for his second win as Poly’s head coach, but I get the feeling this win will feel a little bit different. Williams’s lore began years ago as a standout in the Sylmar program, and now he has a chance to write his next chapter by building a winner in the Valley as a head man. Expect an electric atmosphere in Sun Valley this week. Sylmar would love nothing more than to put a damper on what will surely be a celebratory environment.

#6 Arleta Mustangs (2-0) at #21 Chatsworth Chancellors – Chatsworth H.S., Friday 9/11, 7 pm kickoff

This matchup between Arleta and Chatsworth feels like the bell is about to ring on a world title fight. Neither team is trying to fool you with their approach. Both Bill Coan and Sean Johnson believe consistency and physicality are how you win ball games. The key will be which side can impose its will in the trenches. Expect a war between these two.

VST Game of the Week
#8 Kennedy Cougars (3-0) at Granada Hills Highlanders – Granada Hills H.S., Friday 9/11, 7 pm kickoff

The Tina is on the line in Granada Hills Friday night, and the atmosphere is always one that you do not want to miss. The top -ten ranked Cougars are the favorites to win this game, but the Highlanders are far from pushovers. The key to the game will be Granada Hills’ ability to control the pace. If they can get their running game going and limit Kennedy’s possessions, they have more than a puncher’s chance. Kennedy has to take advantage of their opportunities and play from ahead, and they should be able to pull away. Regardless, the battle for Tina is always a fun atmosphere you won’t want to miss out on.