Ready or not, the Moorpark High football team opens a new chapter tonight.

The Musketeers say they're ready, closing the door on uber-gifted running back Darrell Scott but clutching familiar expectations.

Scott, most abruptly and maybe prematurely, is gone before his senior season, transferring last winter across the county to St. Bonaventure High. As a junior, Scott amassed 3,146 yards and 46 touchdowns while helping Moorpark reach its second consecutive CIF-Southern Section championship game.

That was then, says Moorpark head coach Tim Lins.

"Our guys had a long time to get used to the idea," he said. "We've moved way past that."

So now, minus Scott and a host of key seniors who came within two points last December of earning the program's first Southern Section crown, the Musketeers start fresh.

Moorpark launches the 2007 campaign when it plays host to Mayfair High tonight beginning at 7 p.m.

After two consecutive treks to the CIF-SS championship game, the Musketeers haven't eased off the pedal.

"Every team is different and every team faces different challenges," said Lins. "But we'd like to think that each group is aware of what has happened before them, and they want to establish their own legacy."

Even without Scott lining up in the backfield, Moorpark isn't exactly talent-shy.

Two-year starter Adam Barry returns as the main man on offense, promising sophomore Austin Edmonson takes over at running back and a potentially stellar defensive line is led by end Casey Blum.

Moorpark finished 9-3 last year, including a thrilling, 24-22 loss to Canyon High in the Northern Division championship game at the Home Depot Center.

If anything, a rugged pre-league schedule should ready the Musketeers for the Marmonte League chase.

Hart and Ventura follow in succeeding weeks. First up is Mayfair a Suburban League strongboy which rolled out a 10-1 record last year.

"They've got quite a tradition of their own," said Lins. "It's going to be quite a challenge.

The Monsoons return just a hanful of starters from the team that won all 10 regular season-games before enduring a 19-16 upset loss to West Covina in the playoffs.

Still, their trademark is a physical running game and a speedy defense.