Los Padres League

Who: St. Joseph (4-0, 5-1) at Pioneer Valley (3-0, 6-0).

Where: Pioneer Valley High School.

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Broadcast: Live webcast available at www.santamariatimes.com. KRTO-FM 97.1 will simulcast the game. The pre-game show starts at 7 p.m.

St. Joseph outlook: K.J. Cusack had himself a night on special teams last Friday evening. He scored four touchdowns (a penalty wiped out a fifth) in the Knights' 55-6 rout of Nipomo. St. Joseph has used big front lines to its advantage in out-scoring league opponents by a combined 151-32. Ryan Anglin is one of the area's best rushers. LB Roy Killgore, and John Sua (he can line up anywhere) anchor the defense.

Pioneer Valley outlook: The Panthers went their first full game without injured superstar RB Dan Ando last week - and responded by rolling up 418 yards on the ground in a rushing game-by-committee during a 35-6 win against Cabrillo. Shawn Tucker ran for 142 of those, on 14 carries. Ando will be back tonight. LB Nick Leyden and DE Miguel Osuna help anchor a Panthers defense that has given up 25 points total in league games.

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Intangibles: Will the Panthers try to pooch kick away from Cusack? That will be one bit of intrigue to this crosstown rivalry game that is a showdown for first place and figures to draw titanic fan interest.

Who: Morro Bay (2-1, 4-2) at Santa Maria (0-3, 0-6).

Where: Santa Maria High School.

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Radio: None.

Morro Bay outlook: The defending champs' run at another LPL title took a hit in a 27-16 loss at Santa Ynez last week. So did their CIF Southern Section divisional ranking, which had been fifth. Wyatt Gerbracht is one of three Pirates who have taken snaps at quarterback this year. He's done most of his damage as a running back. Gerbracht also helps anchor Morro Bay's defense. Duran Gonzalez is a tough runner.

Santa Maria outlook: Tonight is the Saints' Homecoming. Their momentum has gone dead in reverse the last two weeks. The Saints were competitive in their first four games. They've been outscored a combined 84-7 their last two. WR-QB Ryan Duran and RB Josh Marzett had carried the offense most of the season, but they haven't been able to do much the last two weeks. Terrell Dillon has been a solid defensive player.

Intangibles: Morro Bay will come to town smarting from its loss last week.

Who: Santa Ynez (1-2, 1-5) at Templeton (1-2, 2-4).

Where: Templeton High School.

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Radio: None.

Santa Ynez outlook: The Pirates from the south revved up their momentum with their Homecoming defeat of Morro Bay. Santa Ynez has benefited richly from coaches moving Tyler Shean to QB and former QB Casey Eubanks to a backfield spot. Shean has passed well in all his three games at QB. Eubanks is a big running and receiving threat out of the backfield. LB Chase Thompson remains the team's defensive leader.

Templeton outlook: The Eagles jump-started their playoff hopes by routing Santa Maria, 42-7, last week. Ricky Horn has been a productive runner and receiver for a Templeton team that graduation hit hard. Horn also helps anchor the defense.

Intangibles: Those must-win games? This one figures to be one for both teams if they want to make the playoffs.

Who: Cabrillo (2-2, 2-4) at Nipomo (0-3, 1-5).

Where: Nipomo High School.

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Radio: None.

Cabrillo outlook: The banged-up Conquistadores will try to get some momentum after their loss to Pioneer Valley last week. The offense relies mainly on Brandon Whittaker's running. QB Sean Allen has passed well at times. Matt Rotondi, a RB on offense, helps anchor the defense from his linebacker spot.

Nipomo outlook: The Titans have a total of six points in their three games. RB Eric Penningroth has been their most productive skill position player. DB Angel Rendon helps lead the defense.

Intangibles: This is another game that means a lot as far as two teams' playoff hopes go.

PAC-7 League

Who: Righetti (0-1, 3-3) at Paso Robles (1-0, 5-1).

Where: War Memorial Stadium, Flamson Middle School.

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Radio: KPRL 104.5 FM.

Righetti outlook: The Warriors led Atascadero in the last few minutes last week and had the Greyhounds facing a third-and-27. Then the ‘Hounds hit on a 49-yard pass play and won 19-14. Righetti's offense features Javon Davis, who is one of the area's leading rushers. DB Matt Miller helps anchor the defense.

Paso Robles outlook: The Bearcats rolled past Lompoc, 38-7, in their league opener last week. Andy Bridge, a 5-7, 200-pound powerhouse, is one of the best running backs in the area. Paso Robles has won five straight.

Who: Arroyo Grande (0-1, 3-3) at Lompoc (0-2, 4-2).

Where: Huyck Stadium, Lompoc High School.

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Broadcast: Comcast Cable channel 25, audio only.

Arroyo Grande outlook: San Luis Obispo rocked the Eagles in Arroyo Grande's league opener last week. The Eagles fell, 48-17. Arroyo Grande will try to pop standout RB Christian Crichton loose tonight.

Lompoc outlook: The Braves have gone sharply downhill after a 4-0 non-league campaign. San Luis Obispo ran freely on the Lompoc defense, then the Braves couldn't stop the Paso Robles ground game last week. FB-LB Favi Vargas has been a team anchor.

Other games: PAC-7 League - San Luis Obispo (2-0, 4-2) at Atascadero (1-0, 4-2), 7:30 p.m. Radio: KIQO 105.4 FM. Coast Valley League, Eight-man - North County Christian (record n/a) at Valley Christian Academy (0-1, 0-3-1), 1 p.m. Saturday. No radio.

- Compiled by Kenny Cress

October 24, 2008