CAMARILLO VS. NOTRE DAME7:30 Tonight at Camarillo...

CAMARILLO VS. NOTRE DAME

7:30 Tonight at Camarillo High

OFFENSE

* QUARTERBACKS: The tools and intelligence of Joe Borchard (6-foot-4, 202 pounds) are primary reasons for Camarillo’s 11 consecutive victories. Despite completing only about 50% of his passes (180 of 359), he has thrown for 2,679 yards and 29 touchdowns with only nine interceptions. He also is an adept scrambler with a knack for making big plays down the stretch. Notre Dame’s Jorge Piedra, a backup last season, has emerged as a poised leader while passing for 1,319 yards and 19 touchdowns. Piedra has thrown only two interceptions in 155 passes and has rushed for 482 yards and four touchdowns. EDGE TO: CAMARILLO

* RUNNING BACKS: Camarillo tailback John Howe has gained 700 of his 955 yards in the past six weeks, giving the Scorpions a balanced attack. Borchard rushed for 93 yards last week and short-yardage back Joe Hallowell has eight touchdowns. But who can compare to junior tailback Justin Fargas of Notre Dame? Fargas, who gained more than 500 yards at fullback last season, has rushed for 2,744 yards and 32 touchdowns while breaking nearly every school rushing record. EDGE TO: NOTRE DAME

* RECEIVERS: Mike Anger is Camarillo’s leading receiver with 86 catches for 1,112 yards and 13 touchdowns, but Borchard has spread the ball to five receivers in recent weeks. Tight end Justin Denham has 10 touchdowns among his 28 receptions. Senior Adam Boyd leads Notre Dame with 38 catches for 633 yards and 13 touchdowns. Fargas ranks second on the team with 20 catches for 278 yards and two touchdowns, both coming in the Knights’ 45-20 semifinal victory over Muir. EDGE TO: CAMARILLO

* LINE: Borchard takes a lot of hits but is rarely sacked. Camarillo’s run blocking has improved steadily--the Scorpions rushed for 272 yards in the semifinals. Notre Dame’s front five--led by senior tackle Ricky Bednarek (6-0, 275), the Mission League lineman of the year, deserves much of the credit for Fargas’ success. EDGE TO: NOTRE DAME

DEFENSE

* LINE: Camarillo’s Charles Sandlin, a 5-11, 205-pound senior nose tackle, is quick and experienced. The Scorpions have had trouble putting pressure on quarterbacks but have shut down the running attacks of playoff opponents. Notre Dame has permitted only three rushers to top the 100-yard mark this season while allowing an average of 115 rushing yards a game. The Knights had five sacks against Muir. Junior defensive end Joe Aragno (5-11, 230), also the Knights’ tight end, is their best pass rusher. EDGE TO: NOTRE DAME

* LINEBACKERS: Eugene Jackson (six interceptions, three returns for touchdowns), Randy Bryce, Sam Choi and Ron Garcia form an excellent linebacker corps for Camarillo. Senior Kevin Stromsborg (6-3, 192) is the best of a solid group for Notre Dame. EDGE TO: CAMARILLO

* SECONDARY: Camarillo’s defensive backs have weathered some of the best passing attacks in the state. Safety Justin Howe (four interceptions) and cornerback Andy Kroneberger (three interceptions) are experienced seniors in a quality unit. Notre Dame has faced few passing teams, but the Knights’ secondary has 14 interceptions and returned three for touchdowns. Seniors Piedra and Boyd each have four interceptions. Senior David Escobar, who has returned two interceptions for scores, and junior Dave DeMartinis each have picked off three passes. EDGE TO: NOTRE DAME

* KICKERS: Camarillo’s Ryan Geisler has made 54 of 58 extra points and seven of 11 field-goal attempts with a long of 49. The Scorpions haven’t punted much lately. Junior Patrick Thomsen has taken over Notre Dame’s kicking duties after sharing the job with junior Juan Plascencia early in the season. Thomsen has made 36 of 39 extra points and is two of two on field-goal attempts. EDGE TO: CAMARILLO