HS FOOTBALL: T.O. looks for turnaround at Westlake

Since former Westlake defensive coordinator Mike Leibin left in 2007 to take the head job at Thousand Oaks, the coach is 1-4 against his former alma mater, losing the last three by 26 points or more including a 38-6 Marmonte League loss on Sept. 23.

The schools meet again at 7 p.m. Friday in a Northern semifinal at Westlake (12-0), and Leibin and the visiting Lancers (8-4) must figure out a way to close the gap.

Leibin has a three-point plan.

"First, we have got to play well, which is something we didn't do last time," Leibin said. "Second, we need a better game plan than last time, and third, we've got the make the plays."

Leibin is the first to concede it's not going to be easy trying to pull an upset at Westlake, 38-2 over the past three seasons and vying a third consecutive section-final appearance.

"Obviously, there's no doubt Westlake is a really good football team," Leibin said. "They've got some really good football players, and there's no doubt about that, so we've just got to go out and throw it all out there."