Westlake Village Oaks Christian

As if Los Angeles Loyola High's opponents didn't have enough to worry about trying to stop high-powered running back Anthony Barr, they now have another reason to fret. His name is Jared Baker, and he helped the Cubs hold off Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, 28-18, on Friday night at Los Angeles Valley College in the opener for each team. A speedy 5-foot-9, 181-pound junior, Baker rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown in only nine carries in his varsity debut. The punishing Barr had 125 yards and two touchdowns in 30 carries in addition to an interception he returned 87 yards for a touchdown.

No. 3 Lakewood at No. 9 Los Angeles Crenshaw, 7 p.m. -- Crenshaw running back DeAnthony Thomas and linebacker Hayes Pullard III seek to give the City Section its first marquee victory over a Southern Section foe since Lake Balboa Birmingham defeated Long Beach Poly and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in 2007. Lakewood will use a running back-by-committee approach to replace standout Jerry Stone, who faces two counts of attempted murder in connection with an alleged drive-by shooting. Quarterback Jesse Scroggins hopes he doesn't need to wipe out a 14-point halftime deficit as he did last year by passing for three second-half touchdowns during the Lancers' 42-34 victory over Crenshaw.

This is the second in a series of stories looking at the top high school football players in the Southland by position. Today: Offensive linemen. At 6 feet 6, 285 pounds, Erik Kohler is big enough to knock down a door, especially when he gets a running start. So imagine what it must be like on the football field when the senior offensive tackle from Westlake Village Oaks Christian surges forward in his size 17 shoes and goes hunting for a linebacker. "He's a mean kid in a positive sense of the word," Coach Bill Redell said.

For 19 years and 278 games, Clay Matthews played linebacker in the NFL. Four times he made the Pro Bowl for the Cleveland Browns. If anyone knows what qualities are needed to succeed at the position, it's Matthews. He has two sons playing linebacker for USC and Oregon. And every Friday night, as the defensive coordinator at Westlake Village Oaks Christian, Matthews sends out junior Malcolm Jones and wonders if he'll be his next top linebacker. "He's not ready for the NFL," Matthews said.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Saying, "I think he gives us the best chance of winning," Notre Dame football Coach Charlie Weis on Tuesday tabbed freshman Jimmy Clausen to start at quarterback for the Fighting Irish on Saturday against Penn State. Clausen, from Westlake Village Oaks Christian High, played only two series in the fourth quarter during Notre Dame's season-opening 33-3 drubbing by Georgia Tech.

RUSHING * Kris Atmore, El Segundo: Ran for 318 yards and five touchdowns in 27 carries in a 47-0 Pioneer League victory over Compton Centennial. * Jamal Sutherland, L.A. Fremont: Rushed for 295 yards and three touchdowns in 26 carries in a 33-7 Coliseum League victory over L.A. Manual Arts.

Ranking the top running backs in the Southland: CITY SECTION 1 Marcus O'Keith, Harbor City Narbonne, 6-0, 185, Sr.: Big-play performer with great speed 2. Travonne Jackson, Jefferson, 5-11, 180, Sr., Top 200-meter runner can break tackles 3. A.J. Tuitele, Wilmington Banning, 6-0, 190, Jr., Rushed for more than 1,400 yards 4. Joe Shumpert, Chatsworth, 5-9, 170, Sr., Came on strong at end of last season 5. Kevin McCleary, Van Nuys Birmingham, 5-8, 165, Sr.