Oil companies continue to post record profits while consumers get hosed at the pumps. Politicians spend millions of dollars on losing campaigns, yet underprivileged children go to bed with their stomachs grumbling. And recycling still seems like a foreign concept to far too many people.

But you know what, this week I'm putting all the things that bother me on the back burner. Why? It's simple, really: The local high school football season kicks off tonight (Moorpark at Canyon) and my attention is focused squarely on the topic at hand.

So, what are the top storylines to watch for on the gridiron this year? I've compiled a list of five things to keep your eyes on in 2006. Debate and enjoy.

1) The evolution of Darrell Scott: As a sophomore, the Moorpark High running back rushed for 1,988 yards on 292 attempts for a per-carry average of 6.8 yards. Not bad, huh? But, in my

humble opinion, Scott can make a bigger impact in his second varsity season, even if he doesn't match his numbers from a year ago.

There's no debating his talent as a runner and pass blocker, but in order to be a complete back, Scott's going to have to get himself more involved in the Musketeer aerial attack-he only had eight receptions for 108 yards a year ago.

With Moorpark offensive coordinator John Kidder calling the shots, quarterback Adam Barry continuing to improve and an offensive line that's big and skilled in front of him, Scott's poised for a monster year, provided he can stay healthy. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention he didn't start playing football until he was in seventh grade?

2) Oaks Christian vs. St. Bonaventure: Our Camarillo Acorn editor, Dan "The Dodger Fan" Wolowicz, seems to think Oaks will have its hands full containing Jon Mack's crew. Sorry Dan 'O, but you're on an island here, good friend.

OCHS was recently ranked No. 3 in the nation in a preseason poll released by Sports Illustrated, and for good reason. The Lions are so talented I'm afraid my beloved alma mater-the mighty Humboldt State Lumberjacks-would have a tough time beating these guys.

Oh sure, St. Bonaventure has won 81 of its last 84 games and finished 2005 as the top-ranked team in the state according to CalHiSports.com. Those are very impressive numbers. But I don't really care about history, because on Sept. 22 at Larrabee Stadium in Ventura, the Lions will take care of business. Early Acorn line: Oaks Christian by 14.

3) Eyes on the quarterbacks: Westlake's Ryan Campbell, Thousand Oaks' Ryan Cloney, Royal's Michael Long, Calabasas' Kevin May and Barry from Moorpark are the Marmonte League starting quarterbacks returning from last year. Of the five, Campbell is under the most pressure to perform, and so far he seems to be embracing the challenge of getting the Warriors back into the playoffs following a two-year hiatus.

Newbury Park, Agoura and Simi Valley will all have new signal-callers at the helm, and those schools' success and/or failures will certainly hinge on the young quarterbacks' development. Of the group, the biggest shoes to fill have to be those of Jordan LaSecla, Newbury Park's quarterback who finished second in the state in passing in '05.

Outside of the Marmonte League, Grace Brethren must replace Travis Chupp, while Oak Park will lean on Darren McGee to take over for the departed Doug Deakin. Because both programs focus their offenses primarily on the run, I don't expect the transition to be too tough.

4) The Lister Factor: John Lister. Remember the name? A few years back Lister was a standout on the Conejo Valley Little League team that won the United States championship. Well, he's all grown up now, and could become a major factor in the Thousand Oaks ground game very soon.

TOHS head coach Mike Sanders has been careful not to anoint the sophomore as the Lancer starter to date. But one of Lister's teammates raved about him privately, and considering T.O. rushed for just 811 yards as a team a year ago (3.7 yards per carry), Lister could be just the guy to take pressure off Cloney and the Lancer wideouts.

5) Oak Park's taxing sched- ule: Are you kidding me? The Eagles play Calabasas, Newbury Park and Camarillo in three of the first five weeks of the season-and then things get really rugged.

After hosting Camarillo on Oct. 6, OPHS has consecutive games against Grace Brethren, Oaks Christian and Nordhoff. The only consolation for the Eagles is that they finish their Tri-Valley League schedule against Santa Paula and Carpinteria, both of which are winnable games.

Make no mistake, Oaks Christian vs. Oak Park is one of the most intense rivalries in the Conejo Valley. It's right on par with Simi Valley vs. Royal, Thousand Oaks vs. Westlake, Westlake vs. Agoura and T.O. vs. Newbury Park. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil. So, in the immortal words of Mills Lane, "Let's get it on!"