Harvard-Westlake, Campbell Hall Ready for Football Openers Tonight

Harvard-Westlake High’s football team made a big jump last season, moving from the lightly regarded Del Rey League and Southern Section Northwest Division to the powerful Mission League and Western Division – and there were some growing pains, as the Wolverines finished in last place with an overall record of 2-7-1.

It’s a new season, a fresh start, and the Wolverines are ready to make amends beginning tonight against visiting visiting Venice, an opponent that defeated the Wolverines by 31 points a year ago. Kickoff is 7 p.m., and the matchup should provide a good measuring stick, as Harvard-Westlake is dedicated to improving under returning starting quarterback Chad Kanoff, a promising junior.

Nothing is going to come easy, and that’s just what Harvard-Westlake coach Vic Eumont expects.

“Venice looks a lot like they looked last year. They have their quarterback back, plus some excellent receivers and running backs,” Eumont said. “They should be a pretty good football team tonight.”

A year ago, Harvard-Westlake had a lot of new players in new positions, and by the end of the season, injuries had taken their toll.

“We were young last year, and we’re pretty much still young this year, but we have some more experience, and we’re a lot better as far as being healthy,” Eumont said. “It should be an interesting game because Venice has some guys on defense that can really run around. They’re always going to be a good team.”

Venice advanced to the City Section Division I semifinals a year ago. Tonight, the Gondoliers are a 13-point favorite on Calpreps.com.

“It’s  going to be a great test for us as we get ready for the Mission League,” Eumont said.

Harvard-Westlake and Kanoff looked good in any opening scrimmage against North Hollywood – but North Hollywood is no Venice.

“I thought Chad handled the offense well and managed the game well. He made a good accounting of himself and made some good reads,” Eumont said.

CAMPBELL HALL STARTS NEW FOOTBALL SEASON, TOO

In another season opener tonight, Campbell Hall plays at Cerritos Valley Christian. Kickoff is 7 p.m., and with three-year starting quarterback R.J. Gordon back for Campbell Hall, the Vikings are looking to have a successful year after finishing fourth in the Alpha League a year ago with an overall record of 7-4.

The Vikings have not won a playoff game since 2005, but the prospects look good this season because of the return of Gordon and receivers Dustin Drai and Josh Ross, plus several top linemen and the arrival of impact transfer Christian Bradley, who caught 60 passes for Montclair Prep last year.

Campbell Hall opens with five consecutive road games before finally making its home debut Oct. 6 against Paraclete at Birmingham High in Van Nuys.

Meanwhile, North Hollywood lost its opener 48-7 to visiting El Camino Real on Thursday. The Huskies have another tough nonleague game next Friday at A.B. Miller in Fontana.