Foothill League achieves an early peak

Someone should have rented out Magic Mountain on Saturday to hold a party for the six Foothill League football teams that all won Friday night. And maybe also invite the coaches who vote in the weekly Southern Section polls, since none of the Foothill teams were ranked last week in their respective divisions.

“Hopefully it will get attention, going 6-0,” Newhall Hart Coach Mike Herrington said.

Hart (Division 3), Valencia (Division 2), Saugus (Division 6), Golden Valley (Division 7), West Ranch (Division 9) and Canyon (Division 6) all made their Santa Clarita Valley fans feel good. All

could be playoff bound because of the new Southern Section playoff groupings that are based on competitive equity.

Nick Moore, sidelined by a torn knee ligament last season, returned at quarterback for Hart and passed for three touchdowns and ran for one in a 30-20 win over Downey. He was running for his life at times; Hart gave up six sacks in the first half.

“He was ready to go,” Herrington said. “Except for wearing a knee brace, there’s no indication he’s lost any speed. In fact, he’s faster.”

Hart’s defense was led by linebacker Charles Ike. The defense was under new coordinator Rick Herrington, who returned after an eight-year absence.

“We’ll keep him around for a while,” his brother Mike said.

Aaron Thomas completed 13 of 19 passes for 268 yards and one touchdown in Valencia’s 52-7 win over Palmdale. Golden Valley improved to 2-0 with its second shutout, a 27-0 win over Simi Valley Royal. D.J. McIntyre had two interceptions.

West Ranch defeated Pasadena, 20-17, in overtime as Jake Rice rushed for 170 yards. Saugus quarterback Nathan Eldridge passed for 297 yards and four touchdowns in a 28-25 win over Camarillo. Canyon defeated Burbank, 34-27, with Miles Fallin passing for 251 yards and two scores.

Friday night highlights

Running back Ryan Matlock of Newbury Park rushed for 194 yards and scored five touchdowns in a 6221 win over Agoura.

Rancho Cucamonga (2-0) christened its new $12-million stadium with a 48-20 win over Norco. Jaylan Redd rushed for 136 yards.

Rancho Cucamonga, by the way, is expected to gain four additional players next month after Sione Piutau, Semisi Pahulu, Liahona Pahulu and Siani Malere enrolled this week. They played last season at Upland, transferred to Corona Centennial, were ruled ineligible and now could be playing after a sit-out period.

Two of the four were expected to start on defense for Centennial.

Sophomore quarterback Sean Harlston passed for 315 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two

City Section woes

The scheduled football game between Panorama and host Manual Arts on Thursday wasn’t played because no officials were assigned to the game.

The game was originally scheduled to be played Friday night but was changed to Thursday.

Tony Crittendon, the City Section’s assigner of officials, said Manual Arts never informed him of the date change and he indicated he cannot double-check when he’s responsible for some 40 games.