In a league loaded with fast and strong skill athletes, nimble and powerful linemen and quick and aggressive defenders, might the Marmonte League's football race be decided by ... mind games?

It's possible, considering the margin between seven of the league's teams appears thinner than deli baloney.

"Oh it's close," saud Simi Valley High coach Todd Borowski. "Making the playoffs, or not making the playoffs could come down to a couple of breaks. A bounce here and there could be the difference."

Only Calabasas, which snapped its 44-game losing streak last year but returns with just 19 players on its roster, appears out of contention. For the rest of the schools, including defending co-champions Newbury Park and Westlake, attitude could swing the race.

"A lot can depend on how much your kids believe in themselves," said Westlake coach Jim Benkert. "It's about their will to win, how much they want to win. Our kids always embrace winning the league championship as a main goal."

The mind-set has apparently worked for Westlake, which has won five league titles this decade, including last year's co-championship.

This season, there are no locks in the league mix. No Michael Phelps lurking in the pool.

"I don't see the one team this year that's the hands-on favorite," said Royal coach Gene Uebelhardt. "We all seem to have our strengths and weaknesses."

Who weathers the challenges might spring to the top. In other words, mental toughness becomes a favored asset.

Borowski won't disagree. The fourth-year coach oversees a Simi Valley program that hasn't been to the playoffs in 15 years.

His team seemingly has the athletes to make a run, but Borowski knows talent isn't enough.

"I'm pleased with the fact we've turned around the losing culture in this program," he said. "But for us to make the playoffs, we have to do it on the field.

"We've been close. Every year we've beaten one of the top teams, but we have to beat three or four of them to reach our goals. We have to have the focus to be consistent."

The roll call of league contenders truly runs seven deep. All have notable assets. All have question marks.

Newbury Park finished 11-2 a year ago, won a share of its first league championship since 1998 and reached the semifinals in the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division playoffs.

Chris Brown, among the top running backs in the Southland, rushed for 1,904 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior, and is joined this season on the roster by ballyhooed junior running back Cameron Roberson. Running the football will be a Panthers strong suit.

The irony is that Quarterback High, which has turned out a procession of top-shelf quarterbacks, doesn't yet have a clear-cut No. 1. In fact, seniors Jeff Meinecke and Matt Juels, junior transfer Jordan Bower and sophomore Jake Geringer are all in contention.

"We're waiting for one guy to show us the consistency that we're looking for," says first-year head coach Gary Fabricius. "It's tough right now, because we're splitting the reps among all four."

Westlake has been the model of consistency among league powers, including last year when it finished 6-1 in league and 8-4 overall.

Quarterback Ben Conlin was sidelined most of last season by an ailment that turned out to be diabetes. With his condition under control, Conlin looked sharp in the summer and throws to a cast of receivers that includes all-league returnees Steve Hagy and James DeLaCerna.

Linebacker Justin Lilley, who will also play some running back, is a serious contender for defensive player of the year.

Thousand Oaks benefits not only from a strong cast of returning players, but with a second-year coach now settled into the post.

Mike Leibin said a year has indeed made a big difference.

"It's always hard for players to get used to a new coach," Leibin said. "It's a culture shock for everybody. This year, they know what to expect and everybody is comfortable."

Returning quarterback Ian Shultis (1,878 yards, 13 touchdowns) and running back John Lister (1,317 yards, 13 touchdowns) will be a formidable 1-2 punch. Throw in a defense that returns eight starters and the Lancers could be in line for their first league crown since 2001.

Leibin believes his team's fortunes could hinge on its ability to rebuild the offensive line. That will be his top objective heading into the season.

After building a reputation as a standout defensive coordinator, Leibin will run the offense this season.

"I'm definitely looking forward to the challenge," he said. "I'm revved up and excited. I've got a lot more giddyup in my step."

Scoring points against Moorpark's defense could be a problem, since the Musketeers return nine starters, including standout lineman Corey Sandoval.

Moorpark coach Tim Lins has a stellar running back in Austin Edmonson (1,060 yards, 11 TDs), but is looking for a starting quarterback. Brian Blechen, a transfer from Royal, Brody Rohach and Cameron Lombardo are in the hunt.

Simi Valley could field one of the league's top offenses led by wide receiver Keith Williams, perhaps the league's top wideout. Running back Tommy Dowling replaces the graduated Langston Jackson.

Agoura traditionally boasts a top playmaker at quarterback and Justin Arias fills that role this year.

For protection, Arias need only line up in front of Kevin Graf, ranked as the top offensive lineman on the West Coast. The 6-foot-6, 316-pounder, a prized USC recruit, is being switched to center this year to rev up the running game.

Justin Cudworth has transferred from Calabasas and will give the Chargers a boost at running back and linebacker.

Royal might be regarded as a sleeper if not for the fact league rivals regard the Highlanders as a top threat.

Quarterback Trevor Shubert (1,326 yards, seven touchdowns) and wide receiver Sean Miller were a hot pass-catch combo in summer leagues.

Jake Rollins and Michael Liepzig form an imposing linebacker tandem.

Calabasas, meanwhile, suffers from lack of numbers.

As a follow-up to the team ending its 44-game losing streak last year, only 19 players came out for football.

"It's disappointing, because I thought we had made a lot of progress," said second-year coach Lance Martin. "But I couldn't be prouder of the guys that we have."

Alain Dalencourt is a stalwart two-way lineman.