Santa Clarita Football: The 2015 Foothill League season schedule kicks off Friday night around the Santa Clarita Valley. All six teams are in action, each with unique storylines in their quest for the banner. This is your place for all the news and notes regarding our football teams.

Golden Valley vs Valencia

To call the Vikings (2-3) non-league schedule odd would be putting it simply. Sandwiched between two Pac5 powers (including the #2 team in the country), both losses, were blowout victories against Highland and Santa Monica.

It’s safe to say we won’t have a real read on the Vikings chances in the Foothill League until we see them in action against the much-improved Grizzlies. Regardless, Larry Muir will have his team prepared for the 2015 campaign, and if tailbacks Effie Davalos and Jahmar Berkley can keep the offense balanced and in manageable situations, the Vikings should remain near the top of the league.

On the other hand, Golden Valley is coming off a non-league schedule that has people buzzing around campus. It’s no secret that the Grizzlies have never won a league game in school history, but the team is trending up in 2015.

The Grizzlies (4-1) scored eye-opening victories over reigning CIF Southeast Division champion Crescenta Valley as well as a last minute come-from-behind win at Agoura. The defense is opportunistic and the offense is senior-laden with quarterback Victor Corona and running back Jesse Camacho. Can they finally put it together in the Foothill League?

Our *KHTS Game of the Week*, this matchup looks incredibly balanced and should be a close one in the fourth quarter.

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Hart vs Canyon

There’s an old saying that goes something along the lines of, “throw out the records when its rivalry week”, and the good ole fashion Cowboys and Indians game is no different. While these two teams are heading in different directions coming out of the non-league portion of the schedule, this is still a matchup that is circled on the calendar year after year.

Hart (4-1), ranked seventh in the West Valley Division, has established itself as the favorite to win the Foothill League this season. The Indians were a last second pass-interference call at St. Bonaventure away from a 5-0 start, a game they were leading late in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Nick Moore and Nelson James have the running game (James #1 in rushing yards and Moore #3 in the league) firing on all cylinders, and the defense has playmakers that tackle well in the front seven.

The biggest challenge in the Foothill League for the Indians may very well be their own temperament, as they get lulled at times at the end of halves and don’t finish strong. Coach Herrington is well aware of the issue, and we’ll see if his players have taken it to heart. Pun intended.

There’s no way around it, the Cowboys (1-4) have had a tough go in the early part of the year. They opened with two losses against excellent football teams (Calabasas and Thousand Oaks, both undefeated), got back on track against Eastside, only to be outscored 70-26 in their last two losses.

The defense, led by senior DB Markeill Taylor, has kept them competitive in most of their games, but the problem has been pitiful offensive football from Miles Fallin and the rest of the unit. The junior is completing just 45% of his passes, and the Cowboys have not been able to find a rhythm throughout the season.

If the Cowboys can get some production out of the passing game, the defense is good enough to keep them alive, and it will be an interesting storyline to follow as many picked the Cowboys to finish no worse than 3^rd in the league.

Saugus vs West Ranch

This could be a very important game in the Foothill League in determining who takes last place this year. These teams struggled mightily in their non-league schedules, and Friday night is a chance to show some pride and start the league off on a good note, as the schedule will only get more challenging for each team.

The Centurions (1-4) have played strong defense throughout the season, particularly in pass defense, surrendering a measly 289 total yards per game. Four times this season they’ve held opponents to 21 or fewer points. However, the other side of the ball has been downright difficult to watch.

During their three game losing streak, the Centurions scored just 23 points in three games including a 20-0 loss to Ventura. Coach Jason Bornn will have to find an identity for this offense heading into league play.

West Ranch (3-2) is one of those teams who remain an enigma. The Wildcats put up gaudy offensive numbers in their first two wins, and then proceeded to get blown out of their next two by a combined score of 99-21.

The Wildcats go as senior quarterback Jackson Clark goes, and if he can find favorite receiver Adam Varga-Thompson, the Wildcats should be able to put up points and compete in the Foothill League. For now, that’s just an “if”.

This will be another very close game, and should come down to the wire.

Now, time for the predictions:

1. Hart
2. Valencia
3. Golden Valley
4. Canyon
5. Saugus
6. West Ranch

If you have any news items about our teams to share please send them to jp@hometownstation.com and follow me @jallenpowell17 on Twitter.