HS FOOT: Another easy victory for Oaks Christian

There was a thought Oaks Christian High might finally be in for a challenge Friday against Santa Clara of Oxnard, riding a 18-game winning streak and featuring Notre Dame-bound running back Cierre Wood.

Didn't happen.

Oaks Christian defeated the visiting Saints 49-6 before a standing-room only crowd and a Fox Sports Net television audience.

Wood broke off a couple of nice runs on the first series but was held in check, finishing with 119 yards in 23 carries, including just 45 yards over his final 16 carries, and he did not score a touchdown.

And just as he predicted, Oaks Christian's Malcolm Jones outperformed Wood. The junior rushed for 156 yards on 10 carries, caught two passes for 64 yards, and scored three long touchdowns before calling in a night in the third quarter after injuring his right shoulder.

With one game remaining, the victory clinched the Tri-Valley League championship, but Oaks Christian (9-0, 4-0) has bigger plans. The Lions almost surely will enter the Northwest Division playoffs undefeated, and they're shooting for their sixth consecutive Southern Section championship and perhaps a second CIF State Div. III Bowl appearance after winning it in 2006.

Oaks Christian amassed 467 yards and has yet to be held to fewer than 34 points in a game.

Nick Montana completed 9 of 16 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns, and he scored on a 9-yard run.