GREAT GRAB—Westlake High junior wideout Jared Fry, left, makes a crucial fourth-down catch on the Warriors’ game-winning drive late in last weekend’s playoff semifinal against St. Bonaventure. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers This isn’t just the game of the year.

It’s the biggest high school football game in the history of the Marmonte League.

Moorpark and Westlake will play Friday at 7 p.m. for the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division championship at Simi Valley High.

“This is something I’m going to remember for my whole life,” said Marc Palacios, a senior linebacker for the Musketeers.

The game is a rematch of the regular-season finale four weeks ago. Both teams entered 9-0, but the Warriors won the battle to claim the league crown, 38-14.

Since the setback, the Musketeers (12-1) have devoured the postseason competition, winning by an average score of 40-7 in the last three games.

The Warriors (13-0) have been on a tear all season. They enjoyed a memorable 17-7 victory last weekend against powerhouse St. Bonaventure, the reigning section champions.

Now, two area teams very familiar with each other will play for a section crown and a possible berth in a state bowl game.

It’s the first time two Marmonte schools will face each other in a section title tilt.

“There’s a lot on the line,” Westlake head coach Jim Benkert said. “We have to play a better game. The pressure’s on us because we already beat them once.”

Moorpark may be feeling the heat to win, too.

This is the school’s fourth finals appearance in five years. The Musketeers haven’t won a section title since 1997.

“I’m hoping we can play better,” MHS head coach Tim Lins said. “I’m hoping we can keep up with them.”

Westlake’s nuclear-powered offense led by quarterback Nick Isham receives plenty of attention, but Lins called the Warriors’ defense “underrated.”

Westlake picked off three passes and recovered a fumble against St. Bonaventure.

“Their defense is very, very aggressive,” Lins said. “They’re very quick laterally, and they move very well. They’ve got good speed, and they’re a very determined bunch.”

WHS defensive coordinator Richard Fong said his charges are playing like seasoned pros.

“Anything somebody throws at us, it isn’t going to rattle these guys,” Fong said. “By now they are a veteran group with juniors playing like seniors and sophomores playing like juniors. . . .

“I’m so proud of them because these guys just don’t quit.”

Moorpark counters with a bruising rushing attack.

Senior running back and cornerback Austin Edmonson, who has delivered some of the best stiff-arms since Walter Payton was making history with the Chicago Bears, spearheads the ground game.

Junior Tyler Peterson and quarterback Brian Blechen are also threats running the ball.

“The running game has worked well for us all season,” Blechen said. “We definitely want to be sharp on that.”

Blechen, who has committed to Utah, said the Musketeers must stop the dynamic and versatile Isham.

“He touches the ball on every play,” said Blechen, who shares snaps with quarterback Brody Rohach.

“Whether the play is passing, play-action or run, it goes in his hands every time. We have to try and control him.”

Blechen, who also plays safety, is expected to see time at outside linebacker Friday.

Tavior Mowry, a junior tailback for Westlake, has been impressed with his fearless leader.

“He’s cool as ice,” Mowry said of Isham. “Every time he’s in the huddle, he’s calm, and that calms everyone else down. He’s a very good leader on the field. He takes control of the game.”

Westlake defeated St. Bonaventure in dramatic fashion during last weekend’s semifinals.

Isham directed an 88-yard drive that culminated with a oneyard touchdown run with 61 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter for a 10-7 Warrior lead.

“If we didn’t get the touchdown on that drive,” wide receiver Tre’shon Wilson said, “we were done.”

Wilson nabbed two passes on the game-winning drive. On a fourth-and-six during the same drive, Isham completed an 11-yard pass to Jared Fry.

After Isham’s scoring scramble, Max Winsberg recovered a Seraphs fumble in the end zone for another touchdown with 50 seconds remaining.

Nelson Spruce put an emphatic stamp on the win with his second interception in the closing seconds.

The game was scoreless at halftime, although the WHS defense made three big stands.

Spruce fumbled a punt at Westlake’s own 16-yard line in the first quarter. The defense held the Seraphs to a field goal attempt, a miss from 37 yards.

Spruce and Winsberg added picks in the second quarter.

Alex Ball put WHS on the board with a 25-yard field goal in the third frame. Senior linebacker and leading tackler Adrian Muguerza set up Ball’s kick with a nice kickoff return to midfield.

St. Bonaventure took a 7-3 lead with a score late in the third.

Isham saved his heroics for the final quarter.

Moorpark defeated Valencia 40-14 in last Saturday’s semifinal.

“Our run game worked, and our defense played really well,” Blechen said of dominating effort.

“We controlled their offense. Everyone did their jobs.”

Palacios and the Musketeers are looking forward to the challenge, especially since they have a chance at redemption.

“I feel we played bad (the first game),” Palacios said, “but they played probably one of their best games of the year. We have to try and slow down their highpowered offense. I don’t think anyone can stop them, but maybe we can slow them down.

“We’re all pretty much seniors. We’re going to give it our all and see what happens.”

The Warriors, who won section crowns in 1999 and 2003, hope to follow one signature win with another.

“Beating St. Bonnie means we also have to win the championship to cement (this win) into Westlake history,” Winsberg said, “because we have a lot of tradition around here.”

Regardless of the outcome, the game could be an instant classic.

“Just like their kids, our kids want to win and believe they can win,” said John Kidder, Moorpark co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.

“It’s going to be a great game.”

Sports editor Stephen Dorman contributed to this report.

Word on the street

Here’s what Marmonte League head football coaches are saying about Friday night’s championship game between Moorpark and Westlake:

Charlie Wegher, Agoura: “Moorpark has a little bit tougher defense, and it’s really difficult to beat someone twice in one season. That should give Moorpark a little extra motivation. I’m sure they feel kind of embarrassed about what happened last time, and they’re going to set out to make that right.”

Gary Fabricius, Newbury: “Westlake is riding an incredible, emotional victory, and to have to turn around and face a team they already beat, I think Moorpark may have a little bit of a revenge edge.”

Kevin Flye, Royal: “Moorpark’s going to play much better. I think they’ll be in pretty good shape, although Westlake is battletested. Both coaching staffs are good. Moorpark played poorly the first time. I think those guys are ready to go.”

Lance Martin, Simi Valley: “In Moorpark’s case, maybe they needed (that loss) to get to the finals. They’ve got to be hungry.”

Mike Leibin, TOHS: “Protecting the football— that is going to be the game right there.”