It has been a record-setting year for the Santa Clara High offense.

No team in program history has averaged more points per game — 37.2 — that this season's edition, which has scored 40 or more points in its last five games.

Cierre Wood has broken school season and career rushing and scoring records and is averaging 253 all-purpose yards per game.

There's more to the second-seeded Mid-Valley Division program, which faces Camino Real League champion La Salle in a quarterfinal game Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Channel Islands.

Overlooked is a defense that has held opponents to an average of 13.4 points per game, intercepted 14 passes and harassed opposing quarterbacks.

Personnel from a defense that helped Santa Clara reach the Mid-Valley quarterfinals last season hasn't changed much. The 2006 defensive unit had eight sophomore starters.

Santa Clara employs a 3-4 alignment that "is adjustable to fit any formation," said Santa Clara coach Fran Fredette.

It also fits into the defense's strength: overall team speed.

"Our kids can get after the ball carriers," said Fredette.

Inside linebackers Daniel Garcia and team captain David Ortiz anchor the defense.

"David calls the defense and gets people in the right places," said Fredette.

Svondo Bradley has been dominating on the defensive line. Randi Vines had two interceptions and two sacks in a first-round win over Village Christian. Artie Lopez and Tom Torres rank among tackles leaders.

Wood can be as much of an impact player on defense and special teams as he is on offense.

The junior recovered two fumbles and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown last week.

Sophomore Donald Espinoza has made quite an impression for the Santa Clara defense.

"He makes plays that you wouldn't expect," said Fredette.

Moorpark's run ends: Quarterback Adam Barry's record-setting Moorpark career came to an end last Friday in a Northern Division first round 28-14 loss on the road to Pac-7 champion Atascadero.

Barry completed 21 of 39 passes for 206 yards and Austin Edmonson scored on a 69-yard run. The game was tied 14-14 after a 1-yard TD run by Barry in the third quarter.

Moorpark (6-5) had reached section championship games the last two seasons.

Barry finished the season with 2,435 yards — second only to Dylan McLaughlin's 2,656 yards in 1999 — on the school's season passing list.

A three-year starter, Barry had school career records of 5,569 yards passing (14th on the all-time county list) and 50 TD passes.

Edmonson rushed for 1,060 yards and 11 TDs for the season.

Dore reaches 1,000 yards: Brandon Dore, who didn't get his first carry until the fifth game of the season, finished with 1,035 yards rushing for Ventura.

Ventura (4-7), which won its last four regular-season games to secure second place in the Channel League for the third time in the last four years, lost to Paso Robles, 49-14, in a Northern Division first-round game last Friday on the road.

Dore rushed 17 times for 65 yards and scored on runs of 4 and 8 yards. Dore's second touchdown pulled Ventura to within 28-14 in the third quarter.

The Star's football rankings

1. St. Bonaventure (10-1)

Comment: Program has won 10 or more games in nine straight seasons.

Next game: Friday vs. Westlake.

2. Newbury Park (10-1)

Comment: Has 2,069 yards rushing and 2,037 passing.

Next game: Friday at Valencia.

3. Westlake (8-3)

Comment: Has three players with 60 or more points.

Next game: Friday at St. Bonaventure.

4. Oxnard (8-3)

Comment: Finished with more than 3,100 yards rushing.

Next game: Season over.

5. Oaks Christian (8-3)

Comment: Return of WR Chris Owusu makes big impact.

Next game: Friday vs. Serra.

6. Moorpark (6-5)

Comment: Adam Barry had more than 2,400 yards passing.

Next game: Season over.

7. Camarillo (7-4)

Comment: Fourth-quarter rally fell 3 points short against Westlake.

Next game: Season over.

8. Oak Park (8-3)

Comment: Kyle Shorten has rushed for 254 yards in last two games.

Next game: Friday at Harvard/Westlake.

9. Nordhoff (7-3-1)

Comment: Has played in six games decided by four points or less.

Next game: Friday at Centennial/Compton.

10. Santa Clara (8-1-1)

Comment: QB Randi Vines averages 21.2 yards per pass completion.

Next game: Friday vs. La Salle at Channel Islands High.