First is the prized goal for high school football teams in action tonight.

To start, there's first place in their respective league chases. A number of teams holding championship aspirations tune up with key pre-league games tonight.

Among the best pairings: Newbury Park High, a prime Marmonte League favorite, and Oak Park, a top threat in the Tri-Valley League, bring unbeaten records and high expectations into tonight's 7:30 game at Oak Park High.

"We've decided to play as strong a preseason schedule as possible," says Oak Park coach Dick Billingsley. "The tough competition, and the big schools, are the best way to get us ready to reach all our goals."

Then there are the firsts sought most eagerly by Calabasas and Channel Islands.

Calabasas is chasing its first victory since 2002, and an end to its 44-game losing streak that stands just two losses shy of matching a state record. Moorpark, now a perennial Marmonte League power, dropped 46 games in a row from 1977 to 1982.

Channel Islands is seeking its first points of 2007, and its first points in its last six outings. The Raiders were shut out in their final two games a year ago, and haven't scored in three games this season.

Talk about hungry? Both teams are starved for some positive results.

With Calabasas limited to a pair of field goals in two games, the winner should be the team that finds an offensive spark.

Coyotes running back Justin Cudworth has picked up 66 yards in two games. Quarterback Serop Chalian has completed 10 of 16 for 59 yards.

Channel Islands running back Josh Beck has picked up 61 yards in 13 carries.

Other key games tonight include Agoura at Rio Mesa, Thousand Oaks at Camarillo, Royal at Ventura, Nordhoff at Pacifica and Burbank at Simi Valley, all at 7 p.m. Kicking off at 7:30 p.m. will be Westlake vs. Hart at College of the Canyons, and Village Christian vs. Grace Brethren at Moorpark College.

Oak Park's matchup with Newbury Park features dominant defenses, at least each has been through two games.

Actually, Billingsley is just as high on his offense.

"Normally, the defenses are ahead of the offenses at this time of the year," he said. "Our offense is right there. We're making a lot of strides, and I think we'll get better week by week."

Newbury Park has a solid one-two punch in quarterback Colby Cameron and running back Chris Brown. Oak Park has been strong on the ground behind Kyle Shorten and Sean Westgate.