Despite not lining up a returning sophomore at tailback, the Moorpark College football team is plenty wealthy in the backfield.

The Raiders proved they could line up and grind down an opposing defense in Saturday's 33-17 win over Los Angeles Valley, rushing for 216 yards and three touchdowns on 49 carries.

James Walker carried 20 times for 126 yards and scores of 1, 3 and 10 yards, earning himself the start at tailback for Moorpark (2-1) in Saturday's 40th Citrus Cup game against cross-county rival Ventura (1-2) at Griffin Stadium.

"We went with him and he really made some thing happen," said Jim E. Bittner, Moorpark's offensive coordinator.

Walker, who has rushed for 193 yards on 35 attempts this season, will line up at tailback and Marcus Hunt, a tailback at Royal High last year, will line up at fullback.

"I asked him (to move to fullback) and he was more than willing to do so to help the team," said Bittner of Hunt. "He's a great kid and he runs hard. We knew we had to get him on the field."

That's been the quandary with Moorpark's embarrassment of backfield riches. Nick Daniels, a slashing back from Florida, started the opener and Jeff Enayo, an explosive option from Boston, pushed for carries before injuring his foot.

"And don't forget James Clay," said Bittner of the freshman from Glendale. "It's a good thing. They're all good."

It's taken nearly two months for the coaching staff to evaluate all the talent it has at the position.

"I can't keep track of them," said head coach Jim Bittner. "We've got about seven of them. Some of them want to come over to the defense, so that's going to sort itself out pretty quick."

No wonder the sophomore backs are all catching passes. Daniel Wolverton moved to receiver. Shelton Banks and Dan Moran are key contributors at slot receiver.

Player of the Week: The Ventura coaches named Larry Cooper the team's Special Teams Player of the Week following Saturday's 38-16 win over L.A. Pierce.

And not because the freshman defensive tackle from New Bern, N.C., escaped paralysis when a Pierce player kneed him in the back of the head.

Cooper blocked a Pierce extra point with 3:56 left in the first half, which was the margin of Ventura's 17-16 lead when Cooper was injured.

"That one point was huge at the time," said Ventura special teams coordinator Tom Lawrence.

False alarm: Bittner's worries last week about his depth at cornerback ended up being a waste of energy when starters Sam Hollis (concussion) and Anthony Evans (shoulder sprain) started Saturday, one week after being injured against No. 2 Saddleback.

"We got them both back," said Bittner. "I was worried about nothing."

Linebacker Brian Doane (shoulder) was the only starter missing.

Honors: If you're wondering what type of game it'll be Saturday, here's a clue — both reigning WSC Defensive Players of the Week will be lining up at Griffin Stadium.

Ventura linebacker Trevor Lyne was honored for his performance against Pierce that included 15 tackles (nine unassisted), three sacks and a fumble recover. Moorpark safety Wiston Juene stood out with a pair of interceptions at Valley.