Payback Time: Sierra Canyon Faces Football Rival Paraclete in Key Showdown

• Final Scores:
  Sierra Canyon 36, Paraclete 26; Chatsworth 27, Cleveland 8

After defeating every football opponent by 33 points or more and being No. 1 from the start in the East Valley Division and the CIF State Division IV rankings, Sierra Canyon finally faces a daunting challenge.

It’s rematch time between the high-powered Trailblazers and nemesis Paraclete at 7 p.m. Saturday at Granada Hills High. Sierra Canyon looks to avenge its only two losses last season, as the visiting Spirits from Lancaster defeated Sierra Canyon for the 2010 Alpha League title, then a month later in the East Valley Division championship.

“It’s a really big game,” Chatsworth running back Danny Jordan said.

Sierra Canyon is 40-6 over the past three-plus seasons but 0-2 against Paraclete, a program that has won eight section titles (seven over the past 13 seasons) with an enrollment three times as large as Sierra Canyon’s 272.

“My kids are well-prepared. They’ve worked all year to get ready for this game,” Sierra Canyon coach Jon Ellinghouse said. “We’re really excited.”

While Sierra Canyon (8-0) has won more decisively, averaging 49.7 points without ever giving up more than two touchdowns in a game, Paraclete (7-1) has played much tougher competition.

An impressive crowd is expected to determine if Sierra Canyon is really that good.

“We’ve got a good fanbase,” Sierra Canyon quarterback Tyler Stewart said.

Stewart is the key figure, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound three-year starter who has 82 career touchdown passes. This season, he has completed 67 percent of his passes for 1,259 yards and 24 touchdowns with just one interception. By comparison, last year Stewart was intercepted a total of four times in the two Paraclete losses.

“Tyler is more determined and more mature as far as his mental approach is concerned,” Ellinghouse said. “At times, he has had a lot of work to do, and he has done tht work. He’s the hardest-working kid I know. He has literally been working seven days a week for the past 12 months.”

Sierra Canyon could be without the services of top receiver/defensive back Julian Brooks, who is doubtful because of a toe injury.

Some of Sierra Canyon’s other top players are Jordan (487 yards, seven touchdowns), running back Xavier Menifield (839 yards, 17 touchdowns) and offensive lineman Andrew Terry, who has committed to Brown.

CHATSWORTH FOOTBALL LOOKS TO BREAK SKID

Chatsworth has lost three football games in a row, and that’s enough to make you sick. In fact, it has. A large group of players are fighting off flu symptoms heading into tonight’s West Valley League game at Cleveland in Reseda. Kickoff is 7:15 p.m.

Offensive lineman Luke Coyle is out, and several others are dragging.

“I think about half the team is sick but otherwise we’re ready to go,” Chatsworth coach Andrew Kim said. “They’re coughing. Snot. All that stuff.”

The Chancellors (4-4) are also hurting because of injuries, but there are no excuses against 1-7 Cleveland because Chatsworth probably has to win the last two games beginning tonight if they want to make the playoffs after advancing to last year’s City Section Division II final.

“Because of injuries, we’ve had to move some people around, especially on defense with some new players at new positions, so we’re concerned about our depth,” Kim said. “We’re just kind of inexperienced and a little thin, but we do look to finish strong. Even though we’ve lost those three games, we haven’t lost anything in terms of motivation.

"There is no lack of morale. We have to win the next two to finish 6-4.”

Kim thinks that will be enough to impress the playoff seeding committee.

“We’ve lost to some quality opponents and we’ve beaten some quality opponents,” Kim said.

Chatsworth’s top player is Eric Waters. He has rushed for 529 yards, caught 19 passes for 393 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. He is also an effective defensive player and return specialist.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Chatsworth (4-4) at Cleveland (1-7), 7:15 tonight – The visiting Chancellors, led by RB Eric Waters, look to break a three-game losing streak in this West Valley League matchup. Chatsworth probably needs to win its last two games beginning tonight to make the playoffs.

Sierra Canyon (8-0) vs. Paraclete (7-1) at Granada Hills High, 7 p.m. Saturday – After twice losing to Paraclete last year, including a 14-7 defeat in the East Valley championship, Sierra Canyon is seeking payback.