1. THOUSAND OAKS

Nickname: Lancers.

Coach: Mike Leibin (second year).

2007 record, league finish: 5-6, 4-3; Tied for third.

2007 playoffs: Lost to Hart in first round.

Top returning players: QB Ian Shultis, RB John Lister, DT Dereck Jester, CB/WR Curtis Dempster, OLB Ryan Thompson, DE Josh Bounds, S Matt McQuade, ILB Mitchell Korey, LB Garrett Malone.

Promising newcomers: WR Ricky Minyard, WR Robert Mullaney, DB/QB Avondre Bollar, PK Dominick Bateman, OL Lucas Clifford.

Outlook: Two cornerstones on offense, Shultis and Lister, and eight returning starters on defense represent a foundation on which to chase the league championship. Lister ran for 1,317 yards last year, and focused on track and field last spring to improve his explosiveness. Second-year head coach Leibin assumes a new role as offensive coordinator.

The Lancers' key may lie in the offensive line, with Bob Lamm the sole returning starter. Wide receivers are a traditional strength in this program, and senior Dempster will be augmented by junior Mullaney and sophomore Minyard.

Quote: "It's a lot more comfortable for everyone involved in the program this year. There's always a culture shock for the players when a new coach takes over." — Leibin

2008 schedule

Sept. 12 At Valencia 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 Buena 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Canyon 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 At Simi Valley 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 At Agoura 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 At Calabasas 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 Moorpark 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 Royal 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 Westlake 7 p.m.

Nov. 14 At Newbury Park 7 p.m.

2. NEWBURY PARK

Nickname: Panthers.

Coach: Gary Fabricius (First year).

2007 record, league finish: 11-2, 6-1; league co-champion.

2007 playoffs: Lost to Hart in Northern Divison semifinals.

Top returning players: RB Chris Brown, DE/OL Jackson Powell, WR/DB Philip Muscarella, OL Ashton Wood, DL Brandon Born, WR Alex Lopez, DL Anthony Coccia, QB Jeff Meinecke, WR Greg Thompson.

Promising newcomers: RB Cameron Roberson, DB/RB Christian Hutchins, QB Jake Geringer, WR Michael Dennis, OL Tommy Diefenthaler.

Outlook: New head coach Gary Fabricius is a longtime assistant, so continuity is a plus. What's different might be the impetus on offense. Two stalwart running backs — senior Chris Brown and junior Cameron Roberson — could shift the focus to running the ball. Meanwhile, the coaches are awaiting one of four candidates to emerge at quarterback.

Enough key players return on defense, led by Jackson Powell and Brandon Born, to assure that the Panthers won't yield many points. The presence of several big-time athletes should produce another title run.

Quote: "Our guys aren't talking much about defending the league championship. They're focused on practicing hard and doing all the little things right. The wins and losses will take care of itself." — Fabricius.

2008 schedule

Sept. 12 At Camarillo 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 At Rio Mesa 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Oak Park 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 At Moorpark 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 Royal 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 At Westlake 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 Agoura 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 Calabasas 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 At Simi Valley 7 p.m.

Nov. 14 Thousand Oaks 7 p.m.

3. MOORPARK

Nickname: Musketeers.

Coach: Tim Lins (10th year).

2007 record, league finish: 6-5, 4-3; Tied for third.

2007 playoffs: Lost to Atascadero in first round.

Top returning players: RB Austin Edmonson, DL Corey Sandoval, DB/WR A.J. Dettorre, LB Marc Pelacios, DB Derrious Johnson, LB Brendan Daley, DL Taylor Ramsey, OL Nathaniel Mallory.

Promising newcomers: QB Brian Blechen (transfer from Royal), LB Quinn Bauducco, OL Joe Frank, TE Tanner Moe.

Outlook: Nine starters return on defense, as does junior running back Austin Edmonson. Which means this is coach Lins' kind of team: It will defend well and control the football. Edmonson rushed for 1,060 yards last year and exhibits sprinter's speed.

Brian Blechen, a transfer from Royal, Brody Rohach and Cameron Lombardo are all vying to be the starting quarterback. The defense will be among the league's best behind lineman Corey Sandoval and linebacker Brenden Daley.

Quote: "These players are not afraid to work hard, which is always a big asset." — Lins.

2008 schedule

Sept. 5 At Mayfair 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 At Notre Dame 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 At Ventura 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Bye

Oct. 3 Newbury Park 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 Simi Valley 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 At Royal 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 At Thousand Oaks 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 Agoura 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 At Calabasas 7 p.m.

Nov. 14 Westlake 7 p.m.

4. WESTLAKE

Nickname: Warriors.

Coach: Jim Benkert (20th year).

2007 record, league finish: 8-4, 6-1; league co-champion.

2007 playoffs: Lost to St. Bonaventure in Northern Division quarterfinals.

Top returning players: LB/RB Justin Lilley, C Spencer Richardson, OL Michael Lorenzo, DL Nick Occhipinti, QB Ben Conlin, WR/DB Steve Hagy, WR James DeLaCerna.

Promising newcomers: RB/DB Tavior Mowry, WR Nelson Spruce, LB Jake Conlin, TE Brad Cotner, OL Nick Ord.

Outlook: Attitude is everything in this program, and the Warriors always expect to play at a high level. The program has won five league championships this decade, including last year's co-title.

QB Ben Conlin has battled back from illness to play at a very high level in summer passing league. Two senior wide receivers, Steve Hagy and James DeLaCerna, are quality targets. A fast and quick linebacking group, led by two-time all-league and all-county selection Justin Lilley, will anchor another solid defense.

Quote: "We don't always have the best players, but our guys always play with confidence and a will to win." — Benkert.

2008 schedule

Sept. 6 At Paso Robles 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 Bye

Sept. 19 Saugus 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Hart 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 At Agoura 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 At Calabasas 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 Newbury Park 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 Royal 7 p.m.

Oct. 30 Simi Valley 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 At Thousand Oaks 7 p.m.

Nov. 14 At Moorpark 7 p.m.

5. SIMI VALLEY

Nickname: Pioneers.

Coach: Todd Borowski (Fourth year).

2007 record, league finish: 4-6, 2-5; Tied for sixth.

2007 playoffs: Did not qualify.

Top returning players: WR Keith Williams, RB Tommy Dowling, QB Jared Zahorik, QB Tim Ferralli, LB Denny Vigo, DB Evan Green, OL Kyle White.

Promising newcomers: OLB/RB Clabe Via, LB/RB Jens Jeeters, WR Brent Keys and DL/RB Tyler McAnany.

Outlook: It's been 15 years since the Pioneers last earned a playoff spot, so motivation is high. These Pioneers are talented, too, led by WR Chris Williams, RB Tommy Dowling and LB Denny Vigo.

Returning starting QB Jared Zahorik will be held back early to allow a tender shoulder to heal, but QB Tim Ferralli is an experienced backup. The defense figures to benefit from new coordinator Terry Johnson.

Quote: "Talk is cheap. Our guys want to make it back to the playoffs, but we're going to have to prove it on the field." — Borowski.

2008 schedule

Sept. 5 At Burbank* 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 At Buena 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 Pacifica 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Bye

Oct. 3 Thousand Oaks 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 At Moorpark 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 Agoura 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 Calabasas 7 p.m.

Oct. 30 At Westlake 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 Newbury Park 7 p.m.

Nov. 14 At Royal 7 p.m.

*At Burroughs High

6. ROYAL

Nickname: Highlanders.

Coach: Gene Uebelhardt (20th year).

2007 record, league finish: 3-7, 2-5; Tied for sixth.

2007 playoffs: Did not qualify.

Top returning players: QB Trevor Shubert, WR Sean Miller, LB Jake Rollins, RB/WR Thomas Garner, TE/DE Michael Cooper, LB Michael Leipzig, OL Scott Holty, DL Matt Rulon.

Promising newcomers: OL Tyler Decker, K. Jeff Perez, LB Alex Flandez.

Outlook: Experience is suddenly a key asset, which puts Royal in the heart of the playoff picture. Quarterback Trevor Shubert, who started last year as a junior, and wide receiver Sean Miller were hard to stop during summer passing leagues.

Linebackers Jake Rollins and Michael Leipzig are at the heart of a defense that should show much improvement this year. If Royal can shore up its special teams, the the Highlanders could play into postseason.

Quote: "Our epectations are always very high. We want to win the league and CIF and, hopefully, go to a state championship game. — Uebelhardt.

2008 schedule

Sept. 12 At Chaminade 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 Oak Park 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Ventura 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 Calabasas 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 At Newbury Park 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 Moorpark 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 At Westlake 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 At Thousand Oaks 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 At Agoura 7 p.m.

Nov. 14 Simi Valley 7 p.m.

7. AGOURA

Nickname: Chargers.

Coach: Charlie Wegher (15th year).

2007 record, league finish: 6-4, 4-3; Tied for third.

2007 playoffs: Did not qualify.

Top returning players: OL Kevin Graf, WR Kevin Hansen, WR/DB Bryce Majdick, QB Justin Arias, LB Jake Minster, DB/RB Sam Bradley, OL David Claxton, DL D.J. Bancroft.

Promising newcomers: RB/LB Justin Cudworth (transfer from Calabasas), WR Eric Kagan, WR Kyle Dugandzic.

Outlook: Each of the last two seasons, the Chargers have tied for third in the league — only to miss the playoff on tiebreakers. The emphasis this year is to win an outright berth.

Justin Arias should be the latest in a long line of stellar Charger quarterbacks, and will benefit from the presence of running back Justin Cudworth, a transfer from Calabasas.

The Chargers' top player will hike the ball. Kevin Graf, switched to center in the offseason, is widely considered the top offensive lineman on the West Coast.

Quote: "Our epectations are always very high. We want to win the league and CIF and, hopefully, go to a state championship game. — Redell.

2008 schedule

Sept. 12 At Ventura 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 Camarillo 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Rio Mesa 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 Westlake 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 Thousand Oaks 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 At Simi Valley 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 At Newbury Park 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 At Moorpark 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 Royal 7 p.m.

Nov. 14 At Calabasas 7 p.m.

8. CALABASAS

Nickname: Coyotes.

Coach: Lance Martin (Second year).

2007 record, league finish: 1-9, 0-7; Eighth place.

2007 playoffs: Did not qualify.

Top returning players: OL/DL Alain Dalencourt, WR/DB Shane Wilson, DB Shyan Ardalan, CB/RB Josh Baynard.

Promising newcomers: CB/RB Josh Baynard, K David Sandler.

Outlook: The good news? The Coyotes snapped their 44-game losing streak year ago to shed the burden of futility. The bad news? With just 19 players on the roster this year, the chances for another victory in 2008 appear remote.

Alain Dalencourt, a senior two-way lineman, and senior DB/WRs Shyan Ardalan and Shane Wilson are the only returning starters

Quote: "It was a big step forward to break the streak last year, but we seem to have taken a couple of steps backwards. It's still difficult to get kids to come out for the team." — Martin.

2008 schedule

Sept. 12 At El Camino 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 Hueneme 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Channel Islands 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 At Royal 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 Westlake 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 Thousand Oaks 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 At Simi Valley 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 At Newbury Park 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 Moorpark 7 p.m.

Nov. 14 Agoura 7 p.m.