Three of a kind

READY TO RUMBLE-From left, Oak Park's Logan Ketchum, Marshall Jones of Oaks Christian and Westlake's Ryan Campbell lead their respective teams into the CIF-SS semifinals. Beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Oak Park hosts Covina while Westlake is at home to take on Canyon. On Saturday, Oaks Christian is on the road to play Harvard-Westlake at L.A. Valley College. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. They are the three kings of Conejo Valley football.

Westlake, Oaks Christian and Oak Park, all located less than five miles apart, are putting together near-perfect seasons.

Collectively to date, the Warriors, Lions and Eagles have posted 35 wins and one loss. Last weekend each team qualified for the semifinals of the CIFSouthern Section playoffs.

"There's a tremendous amount of talent in the local area," Oak Park head coach Dick Billingsley said. "But more importantly, there are great coaching staffs.

"The kids are very wellprepared. When they go on the field, it's just a matter of execution."

As only he can, Oaks Christian head coach Bill Redell agreed.

"I think it proves that Oaks Christian may not be stealing quite as many players from Westlake and Oak Park as we're being accused of," Redell said.

The records "speak very highly of the football that's being played in the area," Redell said. "The youth leagues-Pop Warner-they're stocking all these high schools with really good kids."

One of the most highly anticipated weekends of local high school football in recent memory kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday when Oak Park (11-1) hosts Covina (11-1) in a CIF-SS Northwest Division tilt.

Led by quarterback Darren McGee, a stout defensive line and place kicker Brett Zeolla's three field goals, Oak Park defeated Serra 23-21 in the quarterfinals.

"McGee has had a great run," Billingsley said. "He's throwing the ball very well and running very well. He's calling audibles and running the option, too."

According to Billingsley, the key to beating Covina will be slowing down Michael McDonough, a senior quarterback/linebacker who also plays tailback.

McDonough leads Covina in passing yards (2,329), rushing yards (1,168) and touchdowns (25). He ranks 10th in tackles (44).

JANN HENDRY and IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers "He is a great athlete," Billingsley said. "If we can stop him, then they've got to go to their other options, and we think we can stop those guys."

Oak Park's offensive line will be tested against Covina's defense, a unit that's averaged 4.7 sacks and 2.4 turnovers per game.

"We work on pass-protect schemes every week," Billingsley said. "We know how to extend against the blitz. We can also stop the blitz with traps, screens and getting out wide on the option."

The winner of the Oak ParkCovina contest plays either Oaks Christian (120) or HarvardWestlake (10-2) for the Northwest Division title next Friday night at a site to be determined.

Oaks Christian's game against Harvard-Westlake is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at L.A. Valley College.

The Lions made a trip to Morro Bay last weekend, winning 49-17. OCHS got big contributions from Marshall and Malcolm Jones, Chris Owusu and Michael Ebbitt.

Filling in for injured tailback Marc Tyler, Marshall Jones ran for 115 yards and scored four touchdowns. Malcolm Jones took Tyler's spot at linebacker and had five tackles. Owusu, a receiver, posted four catches for 92 yards and a score, while Ebbitt logged 10 tackles and three sacks.

Redell said Harvard-Westlake is a quality, tough team. HarvardWestlake's two losses this season came by a combined five points.

" I ' v e really been concerned about them since about midseason on," Redell said. "They're going to try and control the ball on us. To beat us that's what you have to do- keep us off the field by running and moving the ball."

Senior John Howe is HarvardWestlake's biggest offensive threat. Howe's thrown for 1,628 yards and 24 scores. He also leads the team with 758 rushing yards.

In the Northern Division semifinals on Friday, Westlake (12-0) hosts Canyon (9-2) at 7 p.m. The winner plays either Moorpark or Hart for the division championship next Saturday at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

The Warriors defeated San Luis Obispo 31-10 during last weekend's quarterfinals.

Westlake senior running back Cooper Shockley rushed 19 times for 155 yards and scored twice, while sophomore defensive back Justin Lilley returned a blocked punt for a score.

WHS has already defeated Hart and Moorpark, but the Warriors will have their hands full with Canyon.

The Cowboys have scored 139 points in a pair of playoff victories against Royal and Rio Mesa. Canyon has averaged 66 points per game in its last five contests.

Canyon quarterback Ben Longshore has thrown for 2,264 yards and 20 scores. Tailback John Diluigi has posted 1,713 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns.

Westlake answers with senior quarterback Ryan Campbell, who's thrown for 2,028 yards and 16 touchdowns, and big-play wideouts Michael Streck-Woodard, Curtis Peterson and Patrick Erhart.