BIG GAME ISN'T THE BIGGEST TEST AT OAKS.Byline: BRENT HOPKINS Staff Writer WESTLAKE VILLAGE -- James Crawford James Crawford may refer to
tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin opponents: Cardinal Newman and his dreaded physics final. Crawford and other students at the upscale Oaks Christian School A Christian School is a school run on Christian principles or by a Christian organization. The nature of Christian schools varies enormously from country to country according to the religious, educational, and political culture. have had a lesson in Anxiety 101 -- all week long. On Saturday, their undefeated football team will take the field against Santa Rosa-based Newman. Next week, they will take final exams. The mood, to put it mildly, is rather heightened. ``It's gonna be hard on Saturday,'' said Crawford, a 16-year-old junior who plays offensive and defensive line and handles long snaps. ``There'll be a few parties after the game, probably, but it's not going to be a late night, that's for sure.'' That's the paradox at Oaks Christian, established just seven years ago on a campus that puts many universities to shame. Built around athletics from the start, it has won four straight section championships. Yet this week, as it prepares for its biggest game ever, students are buzzing about Spanish tests and thermodynamics thermodynamics, branch of science concerned with the nature of heat and its conversion to mechanical, electric, and chemical energy. Historically, it grew out of efforts to construct more efficient heat engines—devices for extracting useful work from expanding . Defensive end Duke Lemmens, 18, who is off to the University of Florida University of Florida is the third-largest university in the United States, with 50,912 students (as of Fall 2006) and has the eighth-largest budget (nearly $1.9 billion per year). UF is home to 16 colleges and more than 150 research centers and institutes. next year, juggles the same stress. He's on a team led by golden-armed quarterback Jimmy Clausen that hasn't lost since 2003, a still-much-debated heartbreaker heart·break·er n. 1. One that causes sorrow, grief, or disappointment: "one young and chaste, the other a dissolute heartbreaker of 48; one prim, the other passionate" to Oak Park -- but he's hitting the books. ``It's not one of those schools you get let off the hook just because you're an athlete,'' he said. ``You have to excel both on the field and off.'' During their lunch break Thursday, students stole a few minutes of relaxation after polishing off taco salads and chili fries. A group of boys kicked an empty soda cup back and forth, not far from a crowd doing the same thing with a soccer ball. The projectiles ricocheted around, propelled by Ugg boots and checkerboard checkerboard the pattern of a chess or draft board; used in many circumstances to display the results of mixing a specific number of variables. The variables are listed in columns designated along the horizontal border and the same or different variables in lines along the vertical Vans. Today, they'll hold a tailgate party at lunch time, and a player will address the student body. On game day, a caravan will form at 6:45a.m. at the school to head down to Carson to see the Lions take the field at the Home Depot Center. Malcolm Jones will be on the bus leading that procession. A freshman, he plays linebacker and running back, something he's dreamed of for years. ``I've been watching games since fifth grade and wanting to go here since the school started,'' said the 14-year-old from Agoura Hills. ``We're really big in this neighborhood, so whenever you're out, wearing your Oaks Christian shirt, people will be like, `Man, you've got a great team.''' These are huge, much-respected boys, some destined des·tine tr.v. des·tined, des·tin·ing, des·tines 1. To determine beforehand; preordain: a foolish scheme destined to fail; a film destined to become a classic. 2. for greatness. Clausen has thrown for more than 10,000 yards and 145touchdowns in his four years with the team, making his name recognizable nationwide. ``It's just a cool feeling because we have math class with those kids,'' said Kelly Crommelin, a 17-year-old senior. ``We hang out after the game. Everyone's so starstruck star·struck or star-struck adj. Fascinated by or exhibiting a fascination with fame or famous people: "The star-struck tone of the text suggests that the author is giving us an exclusive peek into the secret lives of , but they're just regular guys.'' Regular guys who haven't lost in 45 straight games. Regular guys who've been champions four years in a row. Regular guys who inspire nearly unshakable confidence in the student body. ``We haven't lost in so long, I'm not even worried about it,'' said Ali Nelson, a 17-year-old senior. ``This'll be a piece of cake.'' brent.hopkins@dailynews.com (818) 713-3738 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Oaks Christian High School  This article or section is written like an .Please help [ rewrite this article] from a neutral point of view. Mark blatant advertising for , using . students such as Chanse Bryan have a lot on their minds -- the big football game and finals. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer |
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