CAPSULES

DEL REY

How They Stack Up

Has the prep world gone mad? Look who has the best nonleague record entering Del Rey play--Alemany and St. Paul, both 6-1, the schools that fought like crazy to avoid being promoted to Division I. Except no one believes Bishop Amat and Loyola are anything close to mediocre. Alemany can assume the favorite’s role if it figures out how to beat Loyola Saturday at Glendale High. The Cubs won a rare summer passing tournament title, but their offense has been a big disappointment. Bishop Amat has lost consecutive games to Santa Margarita and Servite. The question is, does Alemany have enough depth to survive a three-game stretch against the toughest competition in Division I?

Alemany 6 1 0 St. Paul 6 1 0 Bishop Amat 5 2 0 Loyola 4 3 0 Dates to Mark

Oct. 30: Alemany vs. Loyola

Nov. 5: Loyola vs. Bishop Amat

Nov. 12: Alemany vs. Bishop Amat

Key Players

* Casey Clausen, Alemany. With a quarterback the caliber of Clausen, Alemany has a real shot at the league title.

* De’Andre Scott, Alemany. The junior tailback is averaging 9.5 yards per carry and has scored 22 touchdowns.

* Matt Ware, Loyola. The junior defensive back has been forced to play quarterback to bail out a struggling offense.

* Justin Leach, Bishop Amat. USC and Oregon are among the schools taking a close look at this strong safety.

* Abraham Cruz, St. Paul. He has returned two punts for touchdowns and is one of the league’s fastest players.

Fast Fact

Loyola has beaten Alemany the last two seasons by scores of 60-20 and 49-0.

MISSION

How They Stack Up

Notre Dame is the team to beat because of its powerful defense. The Knights have recorded three shutouts and allowed only 57 points in seven games. If there’s a concern, it’s the Knights’ inconsistent passing attack. St. Francis is the only team to make it through the nonleague schedule with an unbeaten record. Coach Bill Redell engineered an upset of the Knights and Justin Fargas two years ago, so he’s a dangerous obstacle lurking ahead. Chaminade has won five consecutive games and is playing well on defense. Crespi is everyone’s pick to finish last in the four-team race.

St. Francis 7 0 0 Notre Dame 6 1 0 Chaminade 5 2 0 Crespi 1 6 0 Dates to Mark

Oct. 29: Notre Dame vs. Chaminade

Nov. 5: St. Francis vs. Notre Dame

Nov. 12: St. Francis vs. Chaminade

Key Players

* Travis Johnson, Notre Dame. The prep All-American defensive tackle has 12 1/2 sacks and remains the league’s most feared player.

* John Sciarra, St. Francis. If quarterbacks win championships, the Golden Knights have the best one, and he’s only a junior.

* Eric Zdenek, Chaminade. The team’s fastest player was slowed by a concussion early on but he’s healthy and causing troubles at free safety.

* Jamie DiPoma, Crespi. If only the Celts could provide a little protection, the senior quarterback might be able to get the ball up the field.

Fast Fact

When it comes to continuity among coaching staffs, Notre Dame ranks near the top, with Coach Kevin Rooney in his 20th season, defensive coordinator Joe McNab in his 19th season and line coach Jeff Kraemer in his 20th season at the Sherman Oaks campus.

ANGELUS

How They Stack Up

Despite four consecutive defeats, Harvard-Westlake can win the league title if the Wolverines improve their offensive production. The running game has been effective behind tailback Lerato Simelane, who has rushed for 858 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. But the passing game has been so bad Coach Dave Bennett is giving serious consideration to using freshman Richard Irvin at quarterback. The other advantage for the Wolverines is their success in stopping double-wing attacks. They’ve beaten Channel Islands and North Hollywood, which employ the same run-oriented offense as the Wolverines’ main league threat, Bishop Montgomery.

Harvard-Westlake 3 4 0 Bishop Montgomery 2 5 0 St. Bernard 2 5 0 Serra 1 5 1

Dates to Mark

Oct. 29: Harvard-Westlake vs. Bishop Montgomery

Nov. 5: Serra vs. Harvard-Westlake

Nov. 12: Bishop Montgomery vs. Serra

Key Players

* Lerato Simelane, Harvard-Westlake. “As Lerato goes, we go,” Coach Dave Bennett said of the senior tailback-free safety.

* Peter Roses, St. Bernard. Against Crespi, Roses rushed for 67 yards and passed for 152 yards.

* Stanley Wilson, Bishop Montgomery. Son of the former Banning High running back of the same name is a dangerous offensive weapon.

* Eric McNeal, Serra. This sophomore quarterback has tons of ability.

Fast Fact

Serra has three former NFL players on its coaching staff--Jerry Robinson, Marlin Briscoe and Mike Davis.