Seeking six flags

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers JUGGERNAUT—Oaks Christian defenders Landon Westrom, left, and Cole Brownell bring down Santa Clara's Donald Espinosa during Week 9. The OCHS defense is allowing 5.5 points per game. During the past half decade, Oaks Christian's talent on the gridiron has been in a league of its own, especially in the postseason.

The Lions have won five straight CIF-Southern Section football championships, a Southern Section record shared with Paraclete of Lancaster, which claimed five straight titles from 1997-2001.

Oaks Christian head coach Bill Redell said winning a sixth straight banner would be a thrill.

"Winning a CIF championship has certainly been a goal of ours this year, as it is every year," Redell said. "Winning the most consecutive in a row would also be a big plus."

Junior offensive lineman Erik Kohler said that although Redell doesn't bring the topic of consecutive championships up very often, Kohler knows the accomplishment would mean a lot to his coach.

"Coach Redell is pretty humble about the record," Kohler said. "I know he would like it, but not as much for him as for the school and the program. He lets us know this is something we are doing."

Oaks Christian's first-round playoff game comes Friday night at home against South Torrance High, which went 55 overall, 32 in the Pioneer League.

South Torrance is led by a strong offense featuring running back John White, who's carried the ball 202 times for 1,721 yards and 25 touchdowns.

The Spartans' passing game is also productive. Wideout Jason Yang has hauled in 64 catches for 785 yards.

"From what we've seen on film, they are well-coached and they have a pretty well-balanced offense," Redell said. "It seems that if you focus all your attention on (White) and their running game, they just beat you with their passing game."

If there's any defense up to the challenge of stopping South Torrance, it's Oaks Christian's.

OCHS has posted four shutouts this season and has only allowed 55 total points (5.5 points per contest).

The Oaks Christian defense has scored on three fumble recoveries, two blocked punts, three interceptions and one safety. Counting extra points that come along with those touchdowns, the OCHS defense has scored more points, 58, than it's allowed.

Redell gives all the credit to defensive coordinator Clay Matthews. Matthews played 19 years in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons.

"Our catalyst on defense this year, and for many years, has been Clay," Redell said. "Every week, he is so well-prepared for games."

Matthews also has some big names to work with.

Defensive stars for OCHS include linebackers Chris Judge, Zac Stout, Tanner Maddux and Malcolm Jones; defensive backs Ryan Landseadel, Brian Owusu and Nick Nugwynne; and defensive lineman Chris Coyle.

The Lions' finest defensive player, however, may be junior Cassius Marsh, who Redell calls the best defensive lineman he's ever coached.

"He's 6-foot-5 and weighs 278 pounds, but he's quick," Redell said. "He beats you with his size and his speed."

Marsh is looking forward to the game against South Torrance.

"I like to play against teams that are a challenge and know what they're doing," Marsh said.

"From what our coaches have said, South Torrance knows what they're doing. When you're beating teams 62-8 like we've done this year, it's not the biggest challenge in the world."

Although Oaks Christian would like to add another section title to its trophy case, what the squad really wants is a trip to the state championship game.

"We all say that winning CIF is the most important thing, but we all know that winning state is even bigger," Marsh said. "We wanted to be in the game so bad last year, and we didn't get that chance."

The Lions hope their nonleague schedule can help them earn a state title bid if they qualify for inclusion by winning a section title. All five of Oaks Christian's non-league opponents made the playoffs—although Chaminade is 2-8—and both Bakersfield Christian's and Muir's only loss this year came to OCHS.

If the Lions don't win a section championship or earn a state title bid, Redell said it won't be the end of the world.

"In the end, it ain't all that important in the overall scheme of things," Redell said. "It's not about how many touchdowns you score; it's about how many lives you touch.

"I'm only going to be coaching two or three more years, and I just want to make sure the players have a good experience while they're here and that when I leave the program it's in good shape."