The Lock makes his picks for Week 5 of the high school football season
The biggest news for Ventura County high school football occurred off the field this week.
Westlake High confirmed that Mark Serve was no longer the head football coach. The reason for the move was not revealed by school officials.
It may or may not be a coincidence that ballyhooed quarterback Tagg Harrison, who transferred from Pacifica to Westlake after last season, checked out of school the same day to move to Arizona.
The Lock can’t recall any other county program replacing its head coach at midseason.
Serve, formerly a top assistant at Sierra Canyon, was hired by Westlake in 2021. In his three seasons, the Warriors were a collective 8-17, including 1-4 this season.
The Lock takes the news sadly.
Best wishes to Serve moving forward. He’s a good coach who will land on his feet.
We judge people as to how they treat us, and Serve always greeted us with class and a smile.
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We wish the best for Westlake and interim coach Ellis Green for the remainder of the season and beyond.
Westlake High football has forged an illustrious tradition under such elite coaches as George Contreras, Jim Benkert and Tony Henney. It would be appropriate that the Warriors return to powerhouse status when Benkert, now the head coach at Simi Valley, won four CIF-SS championships in his 26 seasons as the Warriors head coach.
Guess who is Westlake’s next opponent? Yes, the Warriors open Marmonte League competition on Sept. 29 at Simi Valley.
Now onto the Week 5 picks:
Thursday
Pacifica 35, Dos Pueblos 14: Tritons continue to roll.
Friday
Newbury Park 28, Thousand Oaks 27: Toss-up game. Big plays will determine winner.
Moorpark 30, Oak Park 20: Musketeers appear to be bona fide Canyon League contender.
Ventura 24, Santa Barbara 21: Cougars can earn a top-2 finish in Channel League.
Oaks Christian 28, Loyola 17: Final Marmonte League tuneup for Lions.
Calabasas 30, Oxnard 20: Interesting all-local matchup.
Buena 27, San Marcos 14: Bulldogs remain under-the-radar contender.
Camarillo 30, Royal 10: Scorpions seek first league win.
Rio Mesa 35, Channel Islands 14: Spartans looking for top gear.
Grace Brethren 30, Arrowhead Christian 14: Lancers pushing for playoff berth.
Santa Paula 28, Trinity Classical 17: Cardinals can move to 5-0.
Fillmore 20, Don Lugo 14: Flashes after road win.
Nordhoff 21, Vasquez 10: Two in a row for Rangers.
Banning 20, Hueneme 17: Vikings in search of their first win.
Last week: 10-5.
Season: 54-21.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: The Lock makes his picks for Week 5 of the high school football season
