Other local football matchups

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers CUTTING TO THE CHASE—The goal for the Oaks Christian football team this year is simple: Finish No. 1 in the state. Thousand Oaks (0-0) at Valencia (0-0)

Outlook: Thousand Oaks enters its season opener with lofty expectations, and justifiably so.

With senior running back John Lister toting the rock and senior quarterback Ian Shultis throwing it around, T.O.'s offense is in more-than-capable hands.

Lister, in particular, looks like a man on a mission after running for 1,118 yards and finding pay dirt 14 times in '07. He also threw a touchdown in his only pass attempt.

Valencia offers a formidable challenge for TOHS.

The Vikings made it to the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division quarterfinals last year before losing to Newbury Park 29-28 in a thriller.

Oaks Christian (1-0) at Muir (1-0)

Outlook: A pair of highly touted squads will do battle Friday night when the Oaks Christian Lions, ranked No. 1 in the latest CIFSouthern Section Northwest Division coaches' poll, travel to Muir High to face off against the Mustangs, ranked third in the CIF-SS Southeast Division.

Both teams won their respective season openers last week.

OCHS toppled Bakersfield Christian 357 behind three touchdown tosses from junior quarterback Nick Montana.

Muir held off Diamond Ranch 166 thanks to a pair of interceptions by safety Chris Dunlap.

Without an explosive offense, Muir may have a difficult time moving the ball on the Lions.

Last week's top performers

Nick Montana, QB, Oaks Christian: In his first start for the Lions, Montana completed 7of12 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 38 yards on four carries.

Ben Conlin, QB, Westlake: Conlin, a senior, was awesome in leading Westlake to a 3914 drubbing of Paseo Robles. He completed 28-of-50 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns, and had a rushing score. The 50 pass attempts are a new school record.

Chris Coyle, TE, Oaks Christian: Coyle had a team-leading four catches for 80 yards against Bakersfield Christian. He also scored a pair of touchdowns on receptions of 25 and 16 yards.