Tucked inside the front door to Fran Fredette's office at Santa Clara High, adjacent from the VCR where he studies videotape of opponents, is a simple piece of paper.

Emblazoned with an "SC" logo, it posts the word "Respect" across the top.

"I got that off the USC football Web site," says Fredette, Santa Clara's fifth-year head coach. "It really applies to what we're looking for in our program. That's kind of the message for our whole team."

It's pretty much the rallying cry for Santa Clara this week, too.

For a defending CIF-Southern Section champion that is riding an 18-game win streak, it's all strange but true. The Saints (8-0 overall, 3-0 in league) see themselves as a prohibitive underdog heading into tonight's Tri-Valley League game.

The reason, of course, is the opponent is Oaks Christian School, a five-time defending CIF-SS champion that is 8-0 this season while outscoring opponents, 378-41.

"It's pretty clear-cut that we're the underdog," said Fredette. "That's a very talented football team we're playing.

"There are a couple of scenarios that could unfold. We could get blown out (tonight), we lose next week at Carpinteria, and then we lose in the first round of the playoffs and go home early.

"Or maybe we're real competitive against Oaks Christian, and that sets us up to make a run in the playoffs."

Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Oaks Christian, with the matchup set to be televised live on FSN Prime Ticket.

Week 9 offers up a number of relevant contests.

Ventura will head crosstown to play rival Buena in a key Channel League game with playoff implications. Westlake visits archrival Thousand Oaks in what amounts to a first-place elimination game in the Marmonte League. Santa Paula travels to Malibu seeking to secure the Frontier League championship. Those kickoffs will be at 7 p.m.

Ventura (4-4, 2-1) can earn a playoff spot tonight with a victory. Buena (4-4, 1-2) would head to postseason with victories tonight and next week (vs. Dos Pueblos).

The two rivals are finding momentum late in the season.

"We're playing better, as a whole team and in our individual performances," said Ventura coach Brad Steward. "I don't think we've peaked yet — you want to do that in the CIF championship game — but we're definitely getting better as the season goes along."

Quarterback Keihan Gibbs has been among those Cougars elevating their games. He's thrown for 821 yards and six touchdowns, and run for 209 yards.

Buena coach Cliff Farrar, the longtime coach at Nordhoff, says he's savoring his first taste of the Ventura-Buena rivalry.

"I'm finding out how important this games is to our school and to our players," he said. "Each day, everybody seems to be more excited. It's a lot of fun for me and our coaches to be involved."

Buena's best game to date might have been last week's 35-10 win over San Marcos. Running back Mike Davis has rushed for 771 yards and seven touchdowns.

Farrar said the winner could come down to the basics.

"It's who plays more physically, and who makes the least mistakes," said Farrar. "It could be who executes more efficiently."

The ballyhooed meeting between Santa Clara and Oaks Christian features two defending CIF-SS champions and a slate of marquee talent.

Santa Clara has running back/defensive back Cierre Wood, ranked among the nation's top high school players and committed to Notre Dame.

The sleek 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior has rushed for 1,526 yards and 20 touchdowns, while averaging 12.6 yards per carry and 190.8 yards per game.

Wood, the catalyst in last year's Mid-Valley Division championship, says he has adopted a tempered focus for the contest.

"When the schedule first came out, all the players saw when we played Oaks Christian and circled the date," he said. "But since then, we've kind of gone one game at a time. I'm looking at this as just another game that we want to win."

Wood concedes the stakes tonight include the buzzword "respect," but says that's been the story for the Saints all season.

After winning the Frontier League championship last year, Santa Clara was switched to the Tri-Valley League this season.

"People still don't believe in us," he said. "Nobody thought we could beat Nordhoff, and we did," he said. "Nobody thought we could beat Oak Park, and we did. Nobody thinks we can beat Oaks Christian."

The Saints senior realizes he will be the target for an Oaks Christian defense that has posted four shutouts in the last five weeks. He's also shrugging off any pressure.

"I don't feel like I've got anything to prove," he said. "I've won a championship. I've got a scholarship. If they (the Lions) focus on all me, that will leave an opening for our other guys."

Wood, ironically, said he's more keyed up by his role in the Saints defense.

"I'm more excited about playing defense in this game," he said. "I think it's going to to be a tough defensive game."

Oaks Christian's run to five consecutive CIF-SS titles, including last year's Northwest Division crown, has been fueled by an illustrious list of players.

Coach Bill Redell said this year's team might rank at the top.

"This could be — and I've got to stress could be — the best team I've ever coached," said Redell, who also oversaw Crespi's powerhouse team in 1986. "It's the most balanced team I've had. Every unit — the offense, defense and special teams — is very good."

Defensive end Chris Coyle, who will play collegiately at Arizona State, says the Lions recognize the challenge of slowing Wood.

"We've got to find a way to contain him," said Coyle. "He's got so much speed, and he has the ability to cut back and go the distance. We've got to stay disciplined, and stay in our lanes to cut down the openings."

For mighty Oaks to fall, the Saints recognize the stars must align. What needs to go right?

"Everything," said Wood. "We can't make any mistakes. We need all the breaks. We need everything to go our way."

Despite the long odds, the Saints believe in themselves.

Linebacker Daniel Garcia, who leads Santa Clara in sacks (612) and tackles (73) may epitomize the attitude.

Garcia dislocated his right shoulder in last week's 21-7 victory over Oak Park, but missed only a handful of plays after the shoulder was jolted back into place.

"We're confident," Garcia said. "We know what it takes to win a championship. We believe in ourselves, and what we can do."