Drive for five
Oaks Christian football team to play for fifth consecutive CIF-SS title
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers MALCOLM IN THE END ZONE- Oaks Christian sophomore running back/linebacker Malcolm Jones breaks free for one of his three second-quarter touchdowns during the Lions 34-0 win vs. Oak Park.

Oaks Christian is on the verge of history- again.

Earlier this season, the Lions won their 48th consecutive game, setting the record for the longest winning streak in CIF-Southern Section history, according to CalHiSports.com.

On Friday night at Newbury Park, Oaks Christian (10-3) will play Tri Valley League rival Nordhoff High (9-3-1) at 7:30 p.m. in the CIF-SS Northwest Division final. When the two teams played at Nordhoff on Nov. 2, OCHS rolled to a 42-6 victory.

In last weekend's semifinals, Oaks Christian shut out Oak Park High, 340, while Nordhoff upended St. Bernard, 35-21.

At stake this week for the Lions is a fifth consecutive section championship. Winning five titles in a row would match a feat only one team has accomplished in Southern Section history.

From 1997-2001, Paraclete of Lancaster took home five CIF-SS banners.

"That's been our main goal the entire season- to win our fifth CIF title," said OCHS sophomore running back Malcolm Jones following a three-touchdown effort against Oak Park.

"The coaches have used history as motivation all year. We want to go backtobacktobackto-back-to-back."

Oaks Christian's defense, coordinated by 19-year NFL veteran Clay Matthews, continues to improve each week.

Since allowing St. Bonaventure and Venice to both score 41 points in the third and fourth games of the season, the Lions have given up only 12 points per game in their last nine contests. In three postseason games, OCHS has allowed 34 total points, 27 of which came to San Dimas High in the opening round.

"We replaced 11 of 11 starters on defense," Matthews said, "but the kids worked hard and just kept getting better. Even early in the year, I don't think it was teams beating us as much as we were beating ourselves because we were so young.

"Now the kids have worked hard and have a full year in (the system), and they're not making too many mistakes."

Oaks Christian's defensive line is anchored by seniors Grant Ramos and Dominic Denham, junior Christopher Coyle and sophomore Cassius Marsh.

The Lions' front four helped hold Oak Park's vaunted rushing attack to 51 yards a week ago. Marsh said the unit has begun to hit its peak in the past month.

"Since about five weeks ago we've really started to play well together," Marsh said. "It's weird, I don't even know how to explain it, but we're just playing so well as a team. We went from bad to great, and it's been amazing to be a part of."

The OCHS linebackers, Zach Stout, Thomas Didamo and Jones, have also improved as the season has progressed, especially against the run, Matthews said.

"They're young players, and we run a fairly sophisticated defense that takes a while to learn," the coach said. "Those three are starting to get it now. They're really starting to play well."

Chris Potter, Matt Spencer, and Brian and Chris Owusu have held opposing passing attacks in check in the defensive backfield.

On offense, Oaks Christian continues to pile up yards on the ground.

Behind the blocking of right tackle Erik Kohler, right guard Niall Padden, center Scott Smith, left guard Tanner Maddux and left tackle Trace Biskin, Jones has rushed for 1,879 yards and has 27 touchdowns.

Potter, who also starts at quarterback, has added an additional 849 rushing yards, as well as 1,791 yards through the air.

Jones said the offensive line deserves a lot of credit for getting the Lions in position to play for another CIF ring.

"They're great people," Jones said. "They're strong guys who get in there and open up holes for the entire offense, and especially for me when I'm running the ball."

Oaks Christian and Nordhoff are very familiar with one another.

Friday's championship will be the seventh meeting between the teams since the 2004-05 season. Oaks Christian has won all six of the previous games, including twice knocking Nordhoff out of the playoffs.

In those six wins, the Lions have outscored Nordhoff 244-60, with the Rangers reaching double-digits in points on only two occasions.

Despite the recent domination, Jones said the Lions won't take Nordhoff lightly. Not only is a section title on the line, he said, but a possible berth in the CIF state title game for a second consecutive season may be up for grabs as well.

"We deserve another chance to go to state because we've improved so much from the beginning of the season to now," Jones said. "We need a chance to defend our title."

According to CalHiSports.com senior editor Mark Tennis, OCHS would likely be chosen to represent Southern California in the Division III state title game if the Lions win and St. Bonaventure loses to Hart of Newhall in Saturday's CIF-SS Northern Division final at Home Depot Center.

The way the CIF rules are established, a team has to win its section title to be eligible for a state bowl game.

"Let's say you're St. Bonaventure and you lose to Hart by one point and you're out," Tennis said. "And a team you already beat (Oaks Christian) goes on. That's not really fair, but it could happen this year."