AINSWORTH SHOWS WORTH T.O. 30, ROYAL 7.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - Jesse Ainsworth's left leg has bugged the Thousand Oaks High kicker all season.

But the calcium deposits on his plant side haven't kept his right leg from dazzling onlookers. The Lancers' version of Bigfoot had his biggest night in Friday's 30-7 Marmonte League victory over visiting Royal of Simi Valley.

Ainsworth made three first-half field goals, including 55 and 56-yarders that broke school records each time. The second one also is believed to be a Marmonte League record. Toss in a ho-hum 41-yarder in the first half and Ainsworth was a vital piece in a win that keeps the playoff hopes intact for the Lancers (4-4, 3-2).

Royal (3-5, 2-3), which entered play sharing fourth place with Thousand Oaks, is now a postseason long shot.

In a sport in which quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs garner most of the attention, a kicking specialist - Ainsworth - is arguably Thousand Oaks' most valuable player. His skills are so adept, he's already earned a kicking rarity: a full scholarship from Arizona State.

``That's why he one of the first kickers I know to ever commit early,'' Royal coach Gene Uebelhardt said. Ainsworth accepted the Sun Devils' offer in the summer. ``He's a good one.''

The left-leg soreness first emerged for Ainsworth in the Lancers' first passing league in June. Ainsworth, also one of the team's best defensive linemen and an occasional tight end, still has managed to connect on nine field goals and remain among the region's punt-average leaders.

``I was lucky because I wasn't sure if it would get the distance,'' he said of his long attempts. ``I've been coming up a little short in practice lately because my leg's been hurting. I'm glad they got in. I was really happy.''

Ainsworth's kicking mentor, former Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks standout Chris Sailer, kicked a 58-yarder for the Knights in 1994. Like Ainsworth, a Pacific-10 Conference school (UCLA) coveted Sailer. He was a punter and kicker for the Bruins, chores Ainsworth might get once he's off to college.

The Sun Devils saw the potential despite Ainsworth being limited primarily to conversion kicks in 2001, as Thousand Oaks' Ben Olson-quarterbacked offense regularly reached the end zone.

This season, Ainsworth has been even more crucial since the Lancers' offense hasn't produced touchdowns as frequently. When two second-quarter drives stalled, first at Royal's 38 and then the 39, special-teams coach Jason Klein asked Ainsworth whether he was up to the tasks.

``Yeah coach,'' said Ainsworth, who has connected from as far as 65 yards in practice.

The first one cleared the uprights by about 3-4 yards. On the second, Ainsworth held his breath as it sailed over with a little less comfort room.

``You never want to miss because I don't want to let my team down if I don't score,'' Ainsworth said.