So your kids just went back to school, and you are sweltering in summer heat, and it feels far too early to be talking football. Oh, who are we kidding? It\u2019s never too early to talk football. And we\u2019d better start talking, fast, because SCV high school football games begin tonight, Thursday, Aug. 20. And College of the Canyons football isn\u2019t far behind. Those \u201call-things-are-possible\u201d newborn 0-0 records will change fast.<\/p>\n
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Foothill League<\/p>\n
As you probably know, there are seven local high schools in the Foothill League. The football programs at these seven schools have storied and impressive pedigrees, built on hammering each other and teams outside the league. Their non-league competition begins this week and most team\u2019s league games start Sept. 18. But, with an odd number of league teams, each week at least one of the seven teams will have a bye. So one team\u2019s league play (Hart) begins Sept. 25.<\/p>\n
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Valencia (0-0, 0-0)<\/p>\n
The Valencia Vikings were Foothill League champions last season at 6-0 in league play. With a 9-2 overall record, Valencia made the playoffs easily, but lost a tough one in the first round against eventual Division 3 runner-up Palos Verdes. Those of us who watched that game on television are still shaking our heads.<\/p>\n
Valencia will play its first non-league game at Simi Valley on Friday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.maxpreps.com\/ca\/valencia\/valencia-vikings\/football\/schedule\/<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Hart (0-0, 0-0)<\/p>\n The Hart Hawks were second in the Foothill League last season at 5-1, with an 8-4 overall record. Hart beat Mayfair in the first round of the Division 7 playoffs, but lost to Palm Springs by one point in the second round.<\/p>\n Hart will host Birmingham in its first non-league game on Friday, Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m. That game will be played at College of the Canyons\u2019 Cougar Stadium on the west campus at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. The stadium is on the northwest edge of the campus, near Valencia Boulevard. Parking can be found in lots 7 and 8 off Valencia.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.maxpreps.com\/ca\/newhall\/hart-hawks\/football\/schedule\/<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Saugus (0-0, 0-0)<\/p>\n The Saugus Centurions were third in league last season at 4-2, with an impressive 10-3 overall record. Saugus won close games against Schurr and Calabasas in the Division 7 playoffs, but lost to Apple Valley in the third round.<\/p>\n Saugus will visit Agoura for its first non-league game on Friday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.maxpreps.com\/ca\/saugus\/saugus-centurions\/football\/schedule\/<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Golden Valley (0-0, 0-0)<\/p>\n The Golden Valley Grizzlies were fourth in league last season at 3-3, with an overall record of 4-6.<\/p>\n Golden Valley will visit Pasadena for its first non-league game this season on Friday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.maxpreps.com\/ca\/santa-clarita\/golden-valley-grizzlies\/football\/schedule\/<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Canyon (0-0, 0-0)<\/p>\n The Canyon Cowboys were fifth in league last season at 2-4, with an overall record of 2-8.<\/p>\n Canyon will host Knight High School on Friday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. Canyon High School is located at 19300 Nadal St., Canyon Country, CA 91351. The stadium is on the east side of campus. Park in the student lot off Nadal.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.maxpreps.com\/ca\/canyon-country\/canyon-cowboys\/football\/schedule\/<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n West Ranch (0-0, 0-0)<\/p>\n The West Ranch Wildcats were sixth in league last season at 1-5, and were 2-8 overall.<\/p>\n West Ranch will be the home team in a non-league game against Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. The game will be played at Valencia High School, located at 27801 N. Dickason Drive, Valencia, CA 91355. The football stadium is on the southwest side of the campus, nearest Smyth Drive. Park in the lot off Smyth.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.maxpreps.com\/ca\/valencia\/west-ranch-wildcats\/football\/schedule\/<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Castaic (0-0, 0-0)<\/p>\n The Castaic Coyotes were seventh in league last season at 0-6, with a 0-10 overall record.<\/p>\n The good news is it can only get better this year, and Castaic will begin with a non-league game tonight, Thursday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m., hosting Buena. The game will\u00a0 be played at Valencia High School, located at 27801 N. Dickason Drive, Valencia, CA 91355. The football stadium is on the southwest side of the campus, nearest Smyth Drive. Park in the lot off Smyth.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.maxpreps.com\/ca\/castaic\/castaic-coyotes\/football\/schedule\/<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Other Local High Schools<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n SCCS (0-0, 0-0)<\/p>\n The Santa Clarita Christian School Cardinals compete in eight-player football, in the Heritage League. Last season SCCS was 2-2 in league and 3-8 overall.<\/p>\n SCCS\u2019s first non-league game will be on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. against St. Joseph Academy. The game will be played at West Ranch High School, 26255 Valencia Blvd., Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.maxpreps.com\/ca\/canyon-country\/santa-clarita-christian-cardinals\/football\/schedule\/<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Trinity (0-0, 0-0)<\/p>\n The Trinity Classical Academy Knights were 4-1 in the Cottonwood League last season and 6-5 overall.<\/p>\n Trinity\u2019s first non-league game this season is at Sage Hill on Friday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n