If only the Marmonte League's football chase could be set to DVD, then there would be room for all the alternative endings.

How about the one where Newbury Park High, eight years removed from its last league crown, rides the mixed-bag experience accrued last year to the title and an extended run in postseason?

Or, maybe, the finish has Moorpark High overcoming the transfer of the star running back. Or Westlake High picking up where it left off in 2006.

Perhaps the new coach leads Thousand Oaks High to a storybook championship, or Calabasas High to its first victory since 2002.

Then again, Agoura High might deliver its first league title, or Simi Valley High and Royal High could each turn into Team Surprise.

To select just one appropriate finale? Even those with up-close-and-personal knowledge find themselves at a loss.

"It's awfully hard to pick a favorite," says Westlake coach Jim Benkert. "Maybe Newbury Park, maybe Thousand Oaks. I think we're there. So is Moorpark. Really, we've got any one of seven teams who can make the playoffs. And I mean no disrespect to Calabasas. I know they will work hard to build up that program."

Truth is, the Marmonte race is harder to predict than a demolition derby.

The league winner each of the last three seasons has been aided by good health, good chemistry or a breakout offensive player.

In 2004 it was Royal. A year later, it was Moorpark. Last season, Westlake rebounded from two disappointing seasons to capture a league crown.

Newbury Park coach George Hurley notes it requires talent and attitude to finish first.

"You have to learn how to win," said Hurley, entering his 18th season with the Panthers. "We've got the talent, but it takes the right attitude to win the close games and to know how to close out games. That's the next step we have to take."

Last season, Newbury Park finished 4-6 overall and 3-4 in league. The experience could be a boon for this campaign.

As usual, the league features more subplots than a soap opera.

As opposed to past seasons, the quarterback position is in flux.

Only three teams return established starters, which translates to an edge for Newbury Park and Colby Cameron, Moorpark and Adam Barry and Agoura and Doug Shumway. A year ago, Cameron threw for 2,398 yards and 23 touchdowns; Barry threw for 1,553 and 16 TDs; and Shumway finished with 1,429 yards and 11 TDs.

League teams will move up and down the competitive ladder as their quarterbacks are decided.

Royal coach Gene Uebelhardt, for one, said he won't decide between junior Trevor Shubert and sophomore Brian Blechen until the final pre-league game.

"A good quarterback will impact the game, and I think we've got two of those guys," said Uebelhardt.

Offensive standouts have become the road to a league title and an extended run in postseason. The league features a number of those types.

Besides the three quarterbacks, running backs John Lister of Thousand Oaks and Langston Jackson of Simi Valley can be difference-makers. Lister, as a sophomore, rushed for 1,191 yards and nine touchdowns. Jackson, a junior a year ago, finished with 988 yards.

Westlake has two seniors who can change games. Running back Cooper Shockley rushed for 767 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Wide receiver Curtis Peterson caught 58 passes 748 yards and six touchdowns.

Moorpark must acclimate to the loss of standout running back Darrell Scott, who chose to transfer to St. Bonaventure.

A key factor in Moorpark's two consecutive appearances to CIF-SS championship games, Scott rushed for 3,194 yards last season while scoring 46 touchdowns.

Coach Tim Lins said his program has moved on.

"That's way behind us," he said.

A pair of first-year head coaches will impact their programs.

Mike Leibin, the former defensive coordinator from Westlake, has taken over at Thousand Oaks.

Lance Martin, a former assistant at Royal, has taken on the challenge of Calabasas and stopping the program's 42-game losing streak.

"We're starting from scratch," said Martin. "We're teaching them how to practice, how to compete."