Since Newbury Park High's last Marmonte League football title in 1998, George Hurley remembers years of rare appearances on a CIF-Southern Section Top 10 poll.

"We wouldn't even be on the others receiving votes' list," said the longtime Newbury Park coach.

With only one winning season in the last seven years, it was hard to dispute the Panthers' absence from section rankings.

That has only made Newbury Park's ascent to the No. 2 spot, behind Hart, in the Northern Division poll this season that much sweeter.

Five weeks into the season, Newbury Park (5-0) is the lone unbeaten football team in Ventura County.

In fact, only two 11-man county schools — St. Bonaventure (4-1) and Santa Paula (4-1) — have less than two losses.

Opponents are seeing a different Newbury Park team than they have seen in the past.

For one, there is a balanced offense.

Two years ago, Newbury Park's famed passing game was off the charts with 42 attempts per game, including three games with 51 or more.

Even though it has an experienced quarterback in Colby Cameron, Newbury Park has found a willing and able running back in Chris Brown. In five games, Brown is averaging 134 yards rushing per game and needs just 22 carries to have the most attempts in one season by a Newbury Park runner in eight years.

"We saw that he was a quality player on our sophomore team last year," said Hurley. "Our hope was that we would be able to run the ball effectively to give him enough carries.

"Now we have something to augment the passing game."

Cameron has been his usual effective self, completing 73 of 151 attempts for 966 yards and, to any coach's delight, has a 10-4 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio.

What has made the most difference in Newbury Park's remarkable turnaround has been its depth.

Instead of a 30-man roster, the program suits up 50.

No where has that had more of an impact than the team's offensive and defensive lines.

"It used to be that we'd have four or five who had exceptional work ethic," said Hurley. "We'd have games in hand, but we couldn't run out the clock."

Now, Newbury Park can rotate different players on both lines. As a consequence, the Panthers are stronger at the end of games.

"We have a couple of players going both ways," said Hurley, "but it's not eight (two-way players) like in the past."

Hobbling defending champs: One of three injured starters could return to the Rio Mesa lineup this week as the defending Pacific View League champion opens its league season at home against Pacifica.

Fernando Raigoza, held out of last week's 35-21 loss to Dos Pueblos because of a sprained knee, could receive the OK to practice, said Rio Mesa coach Bob Gregorchuk.

The status of running back Ina Liaina could be determined today. Liaina, the team's No. 2 running back and a defensive starter, hurt his foot early in the first quarter against Dos Pueblos.

"It doesn't look like anything is broken," said Gregorchuk.

Quarterback Matt DeLosSantos has a small tear on his spleen. His status will be determined following a doctor's examination.

"With three starters out, we were scrambling and moving guys around," said Gregorchuk.

In DeLosSantos' absence, Chase Perham started against Dos Pueblos and completed 8 of 15 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns, including a 97-yard play to Jordyn Aupiu.

"We were able to move the ball with him (Perham)," said Gregorchuk. "We had some big plays, but never sustained a true drive."

Channel opener: It has been a while since either Buena or Santa Barbara won a significant Channel League game.

With both teams off to good starts — Buena is 3-2, while Santa Barbara is 4-1 — Friday night's game between the two schools could have an impact on a league that appears to be close with five teams fighting for two playoff spots behind heavily favored St. Bonaventure (4-1).

Buena has lost 14 of its last 15 league games. Its last significant league win was over Ventura, 27-20, in Week 9 of the 2003 season. The Bulldogs have three players with 100 yards or more rushing in a game this season.

Santa Barbara has not been a factor in the league since winning the 2001 title.