Tied for second in the Channel League is the appetizer. One step closer to the Northern Division playoffs serves as a side order.

Just seeing your crosstown rival on the other side of the field is main course enough for Friday's 44th meeting between Buena and Ventura at Larrabee Stadium.

"When I first came here, I didn't understand the rivalry," said fourth-year Buena coach Justin Berenson.

"This game means so much. You're talking about childhood friendships. Parents. Families. There's nothing better than a rivalry when everybody is a part of it. It is a game of emotion."

The last four weeks have been wild for Buena (4-3).

The Bulldogs beat Pacifica and Hueneme by a combined 14 points, lost to Santa Barbara in quadruple overtime and beat San Marcos, 40-20.

The win over San Marcos "put us in position" to contend for one of the Channel League's three playoff positions, said Berenson.

"We talk about it, but don't make huge emphasis on it," he said.

Just reaching this point has been a bonus. Not only has Buena gone with a lineup of predominately juniors and sophomores, the team has had to deal with some season-ending injuries to key starters.

Tyler Perry has been shuffled from end to inside and outside linebacker positions.

Switching from cornerback to safety was Anthony Pelupessy.

"Anthony has been a foundation for our defense," said Berenson. "He's only 5-foot-7, 140 pounds, but he will hit you like a 300-pound lineman."

The strength of the offense has been the blocking of its linemen that has allowed Vince McCowan and Michael Davis combine for 1,182 yards rushing. Against San Marcos, McCowan had 160 yards on 21 carries and Davis added 145 yards on 17 rushes.

The emergence of Davis, who has rushed for 100 or more yards three times this season, has allowed the Buena coaching staff to shift McCowan into a role of outside linebacker and part-time running back.

"Vince has accepted the role of splitting duty on offense and has handled that just fine," said Berenson.

Under the radar for the first half of the season, Buena has already matched the program's highest win total since 2002.

"I felt that we had some good talent, but it was hard in the beginning to gauge them," said Berenson.

"It is a very quiet group. One of the parents said that they are very stoic. And that's right, they are.

"They know the expectations and know what to do. It's making my job fun."

Extra points: Nordhoff's David Brown extended his streak of kicking field goals to eight. Brown has made 10 field goals this season, tying five players for eighth place on the single year county list. The county record is 15 field goals by St. Bonaventure's Chris Diaz in 2003. ... Marcus Sanchez is within 280 yards of becoming the fourth Camarillo quarterback to throw for 2,000 yards in a season. ... Oxnard has four running backs with 400 or more yards rushing this season. The Yellowjackets are averaging 298 yards rushing per game.

The Star's rankings

1. St. Bonaventure (6-1)

Comment: Defense recorded 10 tackles for losses vs. Santa Barbara.

Next game: Friday vs. Dos Pueblos at Buena.

2. Newbury Park (7-0)

Comment: Panthers pitched program's 2nd shutout in 7 years.

Next game: Friday vs. Simi Valley.

3. Oxnard (5-2)

Comment: Oxnard has allowed 25 points in 5-game win streak.

Next game: Friday at Channel Islands.

4. Camarillo (5-2)

Comment: Scorpions averaging 294 yards passing over last 4 games.

Next game: Friday at Pacifica.

5. Oak Park (5-2)

Comment: Oak Park had two returns for TDs against Oaks Christian.

Next game: Friday vs. Nordhoff.

6. Moorpark (4-3)

Comment: WR Ryan Murry averaging 87 yards receiving per game.

Next game: Friday vs. Calabasas.

7. Thousand Oaks (4-3)

Comment: Ian Shultis has completed 67 percent of his passes.

Next game: Friday at Westlake.

8. Westlake (4-3)

Comment: Curtis Peterson has 3 games of 100 or more yards receiving.

Next game: Friday vs. Thousand Oaks.

9. Oaks Christian (4-3)

Comment: Oaks Christian had 319 yards rushing against Oak Park.

Next game: Friday vs. Grace Brethren.

10. Nordhoff (4-2-1)

Comment: David Brown had game-winning field goal vs. Carpinteria.

Next game: Friday at Oak Park.