Tom Lawrence paid attention in the summer of 2006, when the Dallas Cowboys last held training camp in Ventura County, taking notes, mapping drills and even rubbing elbows.

When Cowboys coach Bill Parcells found out he was the special teams coach at Ventura College, the gruff Super Bowl winner nodded his head and gave Lawrence one pearl of wisdom:

"I'll tell you one thing," Parcells told Lawrence. "Every 100 yards of net punting is equal to a touchdown."

Winning head coaches appreciate the subtle advantages generated by a dominant special teams, which makes Lawrence, the Pirates' special teams coordinator, Jon Mack's secret weapon this fall.

It may only be Mack's first season as Ventura College's head football coach, but these Pirates have proven to be a special team.

On special teams.

With dedication, vision and the sweat of his players, Lawrence has put together units that lead the state in kickoff returns and kickoff coverage.

"It's a huge deal," said Mack.

It sounds like a huge advantage when it's translated into field position. Ventura's averaging field position after a kickoff is its own 45-yard line, while its opponents are stuck inside their own 30.

"That's what special teams is all about, field position," said Lawrence. "That's what I do for a living."

Ventura (4-3), which has won three straight games for the first time in three seasons, has returned 24 kicks for 703 yards and a 92-yard touchdown. The 29.3-yard average leads the state by more than 2 yards per return.

"Right now, it's unstoppable," said safety Chris Golder. "We get 40 yards every time."

It's not a new development on Telegraph Road. Last year, Ventura and All-America returner Terrell Lee-Davis led the state in the team and individual categories, respectively.

"We're aiming for No. 1 again," said return man Gabriel Bostic. "Coach Lawrence teaches us to settle for nothing less."

Bostic has taken over for Lee-Davis this year as the Pirates' danger man. The freshman from Miami averages 35.4 yards per return, including the touchdown against Compton.

Bostic used his early success to break into the backfield as a running back, from where he has rushed for 406 yards and two touchdowns on only 76 carries. He was one of the big offensive stories of the season before a groin strain slowed him the last two weeks.

"Great hands, great speed and some guts," said Lawrence, "that's what makes a good returner."

The nine bodyguards Lawrence has chosen for Bostic, and fellow deep man Justin Haulcy-Bateman, are surprising.

His kickoff return team consists of four defensive backs, three receivers, two linebackers, two running backs and not a single lineman.

"One of the mistakes people make is putting bigger bodies out there," said Lawrence. "I just want speed. I want guys that can run and move in space.

"The way I look at it, you're blocking the other team's speed guys. Their coverage unit is just going to run by you if they don't match speed with speed."

The athleticism also helps his return team hold their blocks longer.

"The average football play last six seconds, but the average special teams play last 12 seconds," said Lawrence. "That tells you that you have to hold your blocks twice as long.

"In order to sustain blocks, you have to be able to move your feet."

In 24 kickoffs, Ventura has amassed 1,358 yards on kickoffs (56.6-yard average) and only allowed 371 yards (15.5 average) in returns. The difference, or net kickoff statistic, is 41.1 yards per kickoff, by far the largest figure in the state.

The Pirates didn't produce that number putting together a greatest hits collection.

"We're not looking for big, giant hits," said Lawrence. "It doesn't do us any good to go out there and knock people down. We don't get points for that. We run around people.

"If you blow up a wedge, it might look nice on film, but we need to get to the ball carrier."

One of the coaching staff's mottos under Mack is "Don't belittle your contribution."

"Which means," said Mack, "if you only work on the kickoff team, do it to the best of your ability.

"You can win or lose games."

That was highlighted Saturday at Los Angeles Valley, where the difference in the Pirates' 16-15 win was the extra point kicker Kris Reveles converted, compared to the two extra points Valley spurned.

The subtle advantage made all the difference. And kept the head coach happy.