LEAGUE PREVIEWS : MARMONTE

Teams appear in order of finish predicted by Times staff writers. Thousand Oaks

COACH: Bob Richards, fourth year

LAST SEASON: 7-4 overall; league

co-champion, 5-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Consider Marc Monestime. The junior running back was all-league last season after rushing for 1,260 yards and nine touchdowns. Monestime, who averaged nearly six yards a carry, led the Lancers’ I-formation to an average of 291 yards a game, fifth-best among Valley-area Southern Section schools. Monestime’s rushing totals are testimony to the talent of senior Spencer Smith, a 6-3, 220-pound all-league tackle whom Richards called the team’s “dominant player.” Holding the line with Spencer will be all-league tackle Mike Yasenchok (6-1, 200). In the Southern Section’s preseason poll, Thousand Oaks is ranked No. 3, and is favored to repeat as Marmonte League champion. The Lancers will field 11 starters from last season. With a stable offense, led by quarterback Rob McKinnon, Richards’ only worry is his defense. One reason Richards is hopeful for a change is all-league linebacker Gus Nelinger. Nelinger, a 6-2, 195-pound senior, is one of seven returning defensive starters, four of them all-league, that include linebacker Joe Sturges (6-1, 205), linemen Ken Haefliger (6-2, 210) and Mike May (6-2, 210) and defensive backs Matt Young (an all-league player), Chris Wilt and Derek Tadlock.

OUTLOOK: “Anybody who thinks they’re going to win the league championship, is certainly going to have to beat Channel Islands,” Richards said. “You can almost put a blanket over the rest of the league, because I think this league is that deep and that solid. It will take an excellent team to win this league.” Channel Islands, which is ranked No. 6 in the preseason poll and will play host to Thousand Oaks on Oct. 31, is one of the most experienced teams in the Southern Section.

Channel Islands

COACH: Joel Gershon, 14th year

LAST SEASON: 5-4-1; fourth in league, 3-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: More lettermen (48) and starters (18) return to the Raiders than to any other Southern Section team. “It’s the largest amount of returning players in the school’s history,” Gershon said. “And it’s also one of the best teams in school history.” And although the Southern Section has billed the Marmonte League as a “rugged three-team race” between Thousand Oaks, Channel Islands and Camarillo, don’t be surprised if the league championship is decided Halloween night when the Raiders play host to Thousand Oaks. Returning for the Raiders is Scott Matautia, a 6-3, 240-pound senior defensive tackle. Last season, Matautia’s honors included league most valuable defensive player, All-Southern Section first team, and Cal-Hi Sports All-State. Quarterback Junior Ortiz is back to lead what Gershon called “18 legitimate starters.” Ortiz is one of 10 players returning to the offense. He’ll be protected by Fernando Hernandez (6-3, 275). “He’s the strongest kid in the county. He wiped out everybody in a county power-lifting contest,” Gershon said. Ortiz will hand-off to all-purpose back Adam Ortega, (5-9, 168). Center Tsujio Kato (5-11, 195) anchors the line.

OUTLOOK: Channel Islands, fielding its biggest team ever, will use the Delaware wing-T offense. Said Gershon: “What do I expect from this team? Success. A lot of success. This team has worked hard to get where they are. They are a close group of young men. They haven’t cut any corners. I’m impressed not just with their skills but with their attitude. This will be a very good year for Channel Islands football.”

Simi Valley

COACH: Dave Murphy, third year

LAST SEASON: 9-3; league

co-champion, 5-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: A repeat of last season’s 9-3 record and a league co-championship may be hard to achieve, but the Pioneers figure to challenge for a playoff spot. Defense again will be the key even though only three defensive starters return. Eric Swenson (5-9, 165) has been moved from the secondary to linebacker and fellow seniors Andy Silvestro (6-0, 215) and Rich Ginther (5-9, 165) anchor the defensive line. Senior linemen Ed Rincon (5-11, 200) and Brian Pinkham (6-2, 165), and linebacker Tracy Jackson (6-0, 175) played extensively last year. “Defense is what we think about most here,” Murphy said. The Pioneer offense got a boost when sprinter Mike Carnes joined the team. He is working out at running back with David Barrow (6-0, 182), who put on 20 pounds in the off-season. “He’s been running over and through people and has been very, very impressive,” Murphy said. Murphy may face a quarterback controversy. Senior transfer Todd Studer, who passed for 1,055 yards in Redmond, Wash., has challenged incumbent Mark Bustamante (640 yards). The chief target for the winner of the battle is senior wide receiver Jeff Blank (5-11, 150).

OUTLOOK: Simi Valley will miss running back M.J. Nelson, who plays at Colorado, but Murphy remains optimistic. “We have more team speed this year, but we don’t have as many athletes as we did last year,” Murphy said. “We don’t have a kid that can do as many things as M.J., but we can become a very steady high school team.”

Camarillo

COACH: Carl Thompson, fourth year

LAST SEASON: 2-8; sixth in league, 1-6

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Camarillo was 2-8 last season but Thompson thinks he has reloaded his offense. He is concerned about his defense, however. Camarillo lacks experience on its defensive line, and in the rush-happy Marmonte League that could spell trouble. One player who may ease Thompson’s fears is all-league linebacker Bill Haney, a 6-3, 230-pound senior. “He’s very smart,” Thompson said. “He has a 3.7 grade-point average and runs a 4.7 40-yard dash. He’s just an outstanding player.” Besides mentioning free safety Daryl Osswald, a junior who earned a varsity letter last season, Thompson did not have much more to say about his defense. Camarillo, ranked No. 9 in the Southern Section preseason poll, will have 38 returning players, including 17 starters. Ten of last season’s offensive starters are back. Mike Henry, who missed half of last season because of a broken collarbone, is again at quarterback. In limited action last season, he threw for 800 yards and rushed for 200. His receivers will be Bill Bell, Gil Valencia and John Nallira--which Thompson called “an excellent three-man rotation.” Blocking for fullback Kevin Ochs (6-2, 205) will be linemen Anthony Trueba (6-2, 245), Gary Sholer (6-2, 215) and Edward Gibbs (6-3, 235).

OUTLOOK: Despite Camarillo’s record last season, many believe the Scorpions have an outside shot at the league title. “I’d have to go with Thousand Oaks as the winner,” Thompson said. “And maybe Channel Island. They’re the class of the league. Our strength is our offense, our offensive line. But we won’t be able to score if we don’t get the ball. This is a tough league without a weak team right now.”

Westlake

COACH: George Contreras, ninth year

LAST SEASON: 6-4; fourth in league, 3-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: “We’re small,” Contreras said. “Our team averages 162 pounds. We have only one guy over 200 pounds and he doesn’t figure in our plans right now.” What figures into Westlake’s plans is the playoffs. “We haven’t been to the playoffs in three years and I’d like to see this group get there,” Contreras said. “We’re the only Marmonte League team that hasn’t been to the playoffs in the last three years.” Two years ago, receiver Vic Topper made the varsity. He’s one of two top returners Contreras is counting on. The other, Chris Mann, is also a senior. Mann (6-1, 185) runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and maintains a 4.0 grade point average. Said Contreras: “He’s just as smart on the football field.” Mann is also a linebacker. In fact, many Westlake players will be playing both ways. And because the Warriors’ ranks were decimated by graduation--31 players this season have never played ball at Westlake--many returners are playing unfamiliar positions. Quarterback Chris Lemieux returns after missing half of last season with a broken leg. Watch for Lemieux to throw to junior Garret Messner, a tight end who, Contreras said, has excellent hands.

OUTLOOK: Last season, Gary Wellman (873 yards, 16 touchdowns) provided the spark for Westlake. Wellman is at USC this year. “We’re going to have to play great defense,” Contreras said. “Last season, we had a great offense and you see what can happen when you don’t play great defense. We’re in a tough league where I think Thousand Oaks is the odds-on preseason favorite. Actually, there are five teams that could win this league.”

Newbury Park

COACH: Ken Cook, 12th year

LAST SEASON: 6-4-1; third in league, 4-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: First, the bad news: Newbury Park is starting four new players in its defensive secondary. Now, the good news: The Marmonte League isn’t known for passing. Cook expects a couple of two-way linemen will open and plug the holes. Senior Greg Mattes (6-2, 235) is one of the better, bigger performers in a league heavy with heavies. Also going both ways is junior Greg Goulart (215, 6-0). Sharing duties on the offensive line will be two-year starter Steve Cull at center and guard Billy Peterson, also a linebacker. On the defensive line, Mike Stein (6-0, 200) and Robert Yoof (6-2, 205) will play beside Goulart and Mattes. Offensively, Jayson Merrill returns as the Panther quarterback. Merrill, a 5-11 senior who guided an undefeated sophomore team two years ago, will have a reliable target in Steve Muscarella (5-9, 155). In the offensive backfield, Darren Jelly (6-1, 185) and senior Bill Phillips will run the ball. “We’ll have a fine backfield as long as we can stay healthy back there,” Cook said. “In our playbook we have about everything we could ever want to run. But Jayson isn’t really an option quarterback, so we’ll be using a lot of dive and trap plays, trying to run it up the middle. We can run to the outside if we want to, we’ll just have to wait and see how that works for us.”

OUTLOOK: “It’s going to be a rat race,” Cook said. “On paper, at the start of the season, you have to go with Thousand Oaks. They’re the defending league champions and they have one of their best teams ever. They have the best running back in the league, Marc Monestime, and he proved it last season as a sophomore. If we stay healthy, we can win the whole thing. But if we lose one kid, like Mattes or Jelly, we’re going to be hurting because we don’t have a lot of depth.”

Royal

COACH: Tom West, second year

LAST SEASON: 1-9; seventh in league, 0-6

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Quarterback Shaun Christensen, a senior, has yet to lead his team to a league victory despite possessing admirable talent. “He’s dangerous,” Thousand Oaks Coach Bob Richards said. And then there is Ralph Blanks. “Some people in our league believe he is the best single athlete in the league,” Richards said. Last season, Christensen passed for more than 1,200 yards and Blanks gained five yards every time he touched the ball. Yet, Royal hasn’t won a league game in two years. What’s wrong with these guys? Said West: “It’s definitely not getting any easier. We’re in one of the toughest conferences in the area, without question. I’m hoping the seniors will provide something we haven’t had in the past: leadership.” Possibly, it will come in the form of top returning seniors. Manny Escobar, a wide receiver and defensive back, and Tim Jones and Joe Summers are seniors who may play both ways. Receiver Roger Greene and linebacker Will Reilly are two more seniors who may play roles in Royal’s reversal. Last season, Royal gave up 300 points. “If we give up 299, I guess that will show some progress,” West quipped.

OUTLOOK: A two-year league record of 0-12 can become burdensome. West is hopeful his seniors can alleviate the pressure. “After going 1-9 last year, we have an awful lot of work to do. We lost a couple of close games early and got in a rut. Then we got into injury problems. But we have the capabilities. We’re a playoff team.”