Thousand Oaks Bracing for Hart : Football: Richards says his team has strength to run the ball against Foothill League power.

Thousand Oaks Coach Bob Richards subscribes to the theory that a football team can improve by playing tough opponents. So Richards once again scheduled his Southern Section Division III Lancers against Division II Foothill League members Hart and Saugus.

Last year, Thousand Oaks lost three games to Foothill League teams by an average of nine points. Last week, Saugus tore up Thousand Oaks, 32-14, in a season opener. The Lancers managed 162 yards, only 28 passing. Tonight at 7:30 at Canyon High, the Lancers must contend with Hart, a 41-18 winner over San Fernando last week and the No. 3 team in The Times’ area rankings. The Lancers must brace for Hart’s potent run-and-shoot offense.

“I know we have good football players on our line, and I think we have the strength to run the ball,” Richards said.

Thousand Oaks would love to control the clock with long scoring drives and keep Hart’s offense off the field. But Saugus limited standout running back Brandon Jackson to 31 yards in 10 carries last week.

Hart, however, already has proved it can run as effectively as it can pass. Five of its six touchdowns and 190 of its 304 yards against San Fernando came on the ground. Junior running back Ted Iacenda rushed for 120 yards and scored five touchdowns.

“We might pass or we might run,” Hart Coach Mike Herrington said. “It just depends on what the defense keys on.”