Live blog: Can Centurions slow down Thousand Oaks’ Lister?

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Stopping running back John Lister will be the challenge for Saugus’ defense tonight when the Centurions host Thousand Oaks in a CIF Southern Section Northern Division football quarterfinal at College of the Canyons.

Lister has rushed for 2,117 yards and seven touchdowns for the fourth-seeded Lancers, who average 31.8 points per game and are coming off a 49-28 over Santa Barbara. Although Lister gets the bulk of the carries Thousand Oaks is by no means one-dimensional. Quarterback Ian Shultis has thrown for 1,407 yards and receiver Curtis Dempster has 38 receptions for 684 yards.

The Centurions’ fate could depend on the condition of running back Ryan Zirbel, who injured an ankle early in the fourth quarter of last Friday’s 29-17 first-round victory over Righetti and did not return. Quarterback Desi Rodriguez picked up the slack by rushing for 151 yards on 21 carries.

Foothill League champion Saugus (8-3) is trying to reach the semifinals for the second straight season. Thousand Oaks (10-1), the Marmonte League runner-up, lost in the first round to Hart last season.

-- Steve Galluzzo