Harvard-Westlake Football Riding High After Big Win Over Fairfax

Fortified with a newfound confidence after defeating defending City Section Division II champion Fairfax by 37 points last week, Harvard-Westlake High’s football team looks to keep the momentum going tonight at 7 at Leuzinger in Lawndale.

Leuzinger (0-1) runs a tricky double-wing running offense based on deception and having several pulling blockers at the point of attack.

“The question tonight is, can we handle their speed and physicality?” Harvard-Westlake coach Vic Eumont.

After an opening loss to Venice, Harvard-Westlake certainly looked tough in a 51-14 win over Fairfax, as the host Wolverines forced five turnovers including a safety in breaking a seven-game losing streak dating back to last season.

“It was a good win because our offense scored 30 points, our defense scored 14 points and our special teams scored seven,” Eumont said.

Harvard-Westlake got a good performance from junior Chad Kanoff, who passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns, two to Clinton Hooks.

“Chad has a better feel for the offense this season, and he understands the game,” Eumont said.

VIKING QUEST

Campbell Hall’s football team is off to a good start. The Vikings opened with a 21-11 win over Cerritos Valley Christian, followed by a 53-0 victory Saturday at Riverside Christian. The Vikings, ranked No. 3 in the East Valley Division, play 0-2 Villanova Prep on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Carpinteria, and the Vikings again should be big favorites.

“I feel that Villanova is a hungry team that needs to get a win for their new coach, but unfortunately for them, I don’t think it’s going to come this week,” Campbell Hall coach Russell Gordon said. “The Vikings had their best week of practice this week since I’ve been the coach. My kids are fired up, and we will treat everyone as a faceless opponent to achieve our ultimate goal, one game at a time.”

R.J. Gordon, the coach’s son, completed 10 of 11 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns against Riverside Christian, calling it a night early in the second quarter, as Campbell Hall jumped to a big lead. Overall, the senior three-year starter has passed for 245 yards and four touchdowns.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD SEEKS TURNAROUND

After giving up a total of 99 points over its first two games – losses of 48-7 to El Camino Real, then 51-12 at Fontana – North Hollywood (0-2) is focused on improvement, and the Huskies figure to have a good chance to win tonight at 7 against visiting Hollywood (0-2).

“Tonight’s game will be a good measuring stick to see how far we’ve come since facing two superior teams,” North Hollywood coach Doug Bledsoe said.

The Huskies started slowly last year, too, losing their first six before coming back to win the last three games.

EIGHT IS ENOUGH

East Valley went 1-7 in eight-man competition last year, but the Falcons look better this season, opening with a 50-30 win last week over Noli Indian in San Jacinto. East Valley, coached by Jesus Williams, continues tonight against visiting San Jacinto Valley Academy. Kickoff is 7 p.m.