As we near the halfway mark of the season, the football scene in the San Fernando Valley is red-hot. The West Valley is in the spotlight this week, with a few intriguing matchups that should set teams up for big second-half expectations. The Game of the Week is a Valley Mission matchup that could shake up everything we think will happen in 2026 for the defending Valley Mission champs. Here are the intriguing matchups happening around the Valley that you won’t want to miss on Friday night:

Santee Falcons (3-1) at #7 Chatsworth Chancellors (3-1) – 7 pm, Chatsworth High School

At the West Valley Media Day, Chatsworth head coach Shawn Johnson said he believed the Chancellors were miles ahead of where the program was last season and ready to make noise this season. So far, the returns have proven him right, as the Chancellors are 3-1 and heading towards their West Valley schedule with confidence and momentum. Standing in their way this week will be their final non-league regular-season opponent, the Santee Falcons, who will be taking the field for the first time since their 41-6 victory on the road at Contreras two weeks ago. A win will give the Chancellors their first 4-1 start since 2021.

Harvard-Westlake Wolverines (4-0) at #11 Birmingham Patriots (1-3) – 7 pm, Birmingham High School

The Patriots are beginning to look like the Patriots team we have grown accustomed to watching year after year. They showed it on full display after notching their first win of the season on the road at Burbank last week. There’s no rest for the wicked, though, as their final non-league opponent pays a visit this week in the Harvard-Westlake Wolverines, who have played through their early-season schedule unblemished. They have posted three straight wins over city opponents, including close wins over Palisades (in overtime), Venice and Dorsey. The Patriots will be their toughest test in the city section gauntlet before turning their attention to Del Rey League action.

Van Nuys Wolves (3-2) at San Fernando Tigers (3-2) – 7 pm, San Fernando High School

The Wolves got a dose of reality last Friday night in their league opener versus the Kennedy Cougars. If there is a silver lining, it is that so much football remains that there is no time to dwell on last week when another tough test awaits against the San Fernando Tigers on the road this week. The Tigers have survived the early-season turmoil that surrounded the program with three straight wins. If the Wolves are going to get back on track, the defense will need to key in on the Tigers’ run game. The thunder-and-lightning combo of Kesean Leslie and Brandan Marshall has driven San Fernando’s offense this season.

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VST Game of the Week

#24 Verdugo Hills Dons (3-1) at North Hollywood Huskies (2-2) – 7 pm, North Hollywood High School

The most fascinating storyline coming into the Valley side of the city centered on how wide open the race for the East Valley crown seemed. As many as four realistic contenders could make an argument as potential league champs, including these two teams facing off at North Hollywood High School Friday night. The Huskies are the two-time defending league champions and, despite significant roster turnover over the past two seasons, find themselves in a prime position for a third title if they can stave off the Dons. Verdugo Hills enters this contest with a veteran roster and impressive performances through the first five weeks of the season. The winner will emerge as the league’s early frontrunner, even though both Poly and Arleta will have their say in upcoming matchups.