Football: Fans can’t wait for Westlake-Oaks Christian game
For only the fifth time since Oaks Christian opened just a short walk away from Westlake, the two schools will play each other in high school football on Friday night for the Marmonte League championshp at Westlake. Expect a sold-out venue and a great game, because that’s what happens seemingly each time the two schools meet.
Westlake is 3-1 against the Lions and it seems silly now why the two schools wouldn’t play each other for so long until they got put into the same league.
“To have a game that could be sold out before the kickoff is good for the community and it’s two schools right across the street from each other,” Westlake Coach Jim Benkert said. “It’s a positive for high school sports. It gives local fans a great game to circle on their calendar. It’s been a great rivalry created through the playoffs and league competition.”
Adding to the intrigue this season is that Westlake’s starting quarterback, sophomore Malik Henry, was a backup at Oaks Christian last season to Brandon Dawkins, who has passed the 8,000-yard mark in career passing.
Benkert said he’d like to schedule Oaks Christian on a yearly basis for nonleague games if the Lions leave the Marmonte as scheduled. Oaks Christian is suing the Southern Section in an attempt not to leave the Northern area.
St. Bonaventure will play Agoura at Ventura College to decide third place in the league. Both schools have qualified for the Pac-5 playoffs.
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