UNSTOPPABLE—Lancer wideout Richard Mullaney has hauled n a team-leading 15 receptions in T.O.’s first three games. This Marmonte League opener couldn’t be any more exciting—unless Tom Cruise glided onto midfield in a parachute just before the opening kickoff and announced the starting lineups.

It’s Westlake vs. Thousand Oaks, crosstown rivals separated by roughly eight miles of asphalt.

“Everything’s on the line,” said Andy Flores, Westlake’s offensive line coach. “Records get thrown out the window.”

The Warriors enter the game on a tear, averaging 46 points in victories against Paso Robles, Saugus and Hart.

Thousand Oaks has survived its preseason gauntlet.

The Lancers opened with losses to Valencia and Buena. TOHS got in the win column last weekend at Canyon, 49-28, with junior QB Avondre Bollar tearing up the Cowboys’ defense.

Bollar threw for 308 yards and four touchdowns in the win.

Mike Leibin, T.O.’s head coach, said he was pleased the Lancers earned a victory before league play began.

“We had to prove to ourselves that we could win a game, play four quarters and take care of the ball,” Leibin said. “That’s precisely what we did.

“We had control of the (Canyon) game at halftime.”

Although Thousand Oaks and Westlake have natural ties, Leibin downplayed the rivalry.

“We’re in one-week-at-a-time mode,” said Leibin, a former defensive coordinator at WHS.

“Now that we’re in league, all we can worry about is Westlake because it’s a Marmonte League team, not because it’s Westlake and there’s a rivalry. It’s a big game because it’s a league game.”

Leibin said inside linebacker Garrett Malone has stepped up for the Lancer defense. Malone had a season-high 11 tackles last weekend, including 10 solo stops.

“Overall, our defensive line played a lot better,” the coach said.

Westlake’s offensive line will be on alert.

Flores said Thousand Oaks is athletic and savvy defensively.

“Mike Leibin is big on defense,” Flores said. “His strong point has always been defense.

“He has the athletes, and they can shift and move and make things happen very fast.”

Leibin said the Warriors have their own strengths.

“They’re getting a lot of big plays against a lot of teams,” he said. “We have to eliminate the big play. From there, it’s stopping their big weapons.”

Westlake’s top offensive playmakers include three juniors: wide receiver Nelson Spruce, quarterback Nick Isham and running back Tavior Mowry.

Nelson has 14 catches for 398 yards and seven scores. Mowry has gained 394 rushing yards with three scores. Isham has completed 74.2 percent of his passes for 385 yards, eight TDs and zero interceptions.

Thousand Oaks counters with its own potent offensive threats.

While standout running back Rickey Minyard has been recovering from an injury, Bollar has paced the Lancers.

Bollar has 630 passing yards and seven touchdown throws. He leads TOHS with 211 rushing yards and three rushing scores.

Bobby Mullaney has 13 catches for 260 yards and three scores. Richard Mullaney has 15 catches for 215 yards and a TD.

“We still have to get better,” Leibin said. “We can improve in almost every phase of the game.”

Added Flores: “It’s about hard work. Every day we’re working hard in practice and trying to come together as a team.”

Outlook A pair of high-powered offenses will be on display as these heated rivals clash. Westlake averages 46 oints per game, and the team’s quarterbacks, Nick Isham and Michael Bercovici, have combined for 10 touchdowns without an interception. T.O.’s offense leans heavily on QB Avondre Bollar.