Football: Thousand Oaks doesn’t mind underdog role

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If there’s one team that’s truly an underdog going into Friday’s Southern Section Northern Division semifinals, it’s Thousand Oaks (8-4), which has the unenviable assignment of trying to knock off unbeaten Westlake (12-0). Thousand Oaks lost to Westlake, 38-6, in week three.

Coach Mike Leibin, however, believes his team will make a much better showing. The Lancers have reached the semifinals for the first time since 1989, and their offense has improved greatly.

‘We have to settle down and get into a rhythm,’ he said.

Junior quarterback Clark Abourisk has passed for 2,381 yards and 24 touchdowns. Running back Nathan DeBeikes has rushed for 1,202 yards. Receiver Blake Howell has caught nine touchdown passes.

Leibin played for Westlake Coach Jim Benkert, graduated in 1995 and became a Westlake assistant coach. This is Leibin’s fifth season as head coach at Thousand Oaks, and it has been a challenging one dealing with the death of backup quarterback Griffen Kramer.

‘I don’t know if you can say we’ve gotten past it,’ Leibin said. ‘Our kids have done a great job supporting the family and honoring him. Things have become more normal.’

Can the Lancers pull off the upset of the year?

‘Any team can have an off night,’ Leibin said.

-- Eric Sondheimer