MARMONTE LEAGUE

OUTLOOK

Westlake has only five returning starters from its Division IV championship team of a year ago, but it is still the league favorite. Newbury Park is a threat because of running back Marcus Crawford and mammoth offensive lineman Philip Clark. Thousand Oaks and Moorpark could battle for third. Agoura, Simi Valley and Royal should fight for fifth place.

SCOUTING REPORT

WESTLAKE

Jim Benkert, 12th year

* Coming back: WR-DB Ryan Foltz has been compared to former Westlake WR Billy Miller, now with the Denver Broncos. WR-DB Dan Catalano is another talented two-way player. Physical DE Leo Reed moves to inside LB. OL Mark Manning is the only returning starter on offense. Checking in: QB Cory Miles saw limited action the past two years, but with Zac Wasserman at Penn State, the offense is all his. Junior DT Chad Henley, a 6-2, 240-pound transfer from Royal, can stuff the run and might play on offense.

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NEWBURY PARK

George Hurley, 13th year

* Coming back: RB Marcus Crawford is 6-2, 215 pounds and was the league’s offensive MVP last year. OL Philip Clark has a nasty streak matched only by his 6-6, 280-pound size. OL-LB Marcus Black is an important player on both sides. DB-WR L. Ray Hawkins is a true deep threat. Checking in: Sophomore QB Ryan Lombardo is the younger brother of former St. Bonaventure and Newbury Park QB Chris Lombardo. WR-DB Jabari James, in only his second year of organized football, could excel on offense.

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THOUSAND OAKS

Mike Sanders, 1st year

* Coming back: Ben Olson’s struggles of a year ago (40.9% completion percentage) are a thing of the past. The 6-5, 200-pound junior is the real deal. Junior WR-DB Dave Anderson is a dangerous offensive threat and kick returner. RBs Tony Ferraca and Brandon Lambert are only 5-9 but speedy. Checking in: Coach Mike Sanders learned from Bill Redell, one of the region’s best, while at St. Francis. WR-DB Kevin Rex is a skilled junior.

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MOORPARK

Tim Lins, 2nd year

* Coming back: There’s another athletic marvel named Hinojosa at Moorpark. Daymon, the younger brother of Pepperdine basketball star Damaris, is a rock-solid LB. DBs Trey Brogdon and Joe DiNapoli patrol the secondary. WRs Scott Rollins and Matt Davenport are holdovers from last year’s surprisingly effective passing offense. Checking in: QB Matt Broussard is a transfer from Clark High in San Antonio, Texas. The 6-2, 175-pound junior might also play DB.

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AGOURA

Charlie Wegher, 7th year

* Coming back: Fourteen starters return, led by QB Chris Denove, who is looking to improve upon last year’s injury-plagued campaign. RB-DB Brad Altman leads a senior-dominated secondary and was the Chargers’ second-leading receiver last year. At 6-2, 265 pounds, OL-DL Justin Edbrooke is one of the league’s biggest linemen. Checking in: DB Joel Arias could play QB if needed. OL Joel Spiro and TE-DE Devon Jacobs-Quinn are up-and-coming juniors.

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SIMI VALLEY

Steve Carroll, 1st year

* Coming back: RB-LB James Skor is 6-2, 220 pounds and a team leader. OL-DL Ryan Matheson is part of a big but inexperienced line. Brook Vivolo and Rico Rinaldi are capable two-way players at TE and LB. Checking in: Steve Carroll got a late start, getting hired in May. Carroll previously coached at San Gorgonio High in San Bernardino and Bishop Montgomery in Torrance. OL-DLs Kyle Spinao and Manny Robles add size up front.

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ROYAL

Gene Uebelhardt, 13th year

* Coming back: LB Lee Martin started last year as a freshman and showed good instincts in the middle. James Cox was one of four Royal QBs to see time last year and was the only one to complete more than 50% of his passes. DB Mike Carr is an all-around talent in the secondary. Checking in: Simi Valley transfer Robert Davis will see time at WR-DB. Ryan Hogan, another transfer from Simi Valley, is a 6-3, 230-pound RB-LB.

DATES TO MARK

Sept. 8 Westlake vs. Buena

Sept. 22 Newbury Park vs. Buena

Oct. 6 Thousand Oaks vs. Moorpark

Nov. 3 Newbury Park at Westlake

Nov. 9 Thousand Oaks vs. Newbury Park

FAST FACT

Last year Westlake ended a frustrating string of second- and third-place finishes with its first league title since 1994.