COBOS (173 YARDS) LEADS T.O. INTO PLAYOFFS : THOUSAND OAKS 48 MOORPARK 34.

Byline: Jim Inghram Daily News Staff Writer

Different week, different opponent, same devastating result.

This time, Moorpark High was the victim of Thousand Oaks star Wes Cobos' elusive and slashing running style Friday night. The final, 48-34.

Cobos, the region's leading rusher, had 173 yards on 23 carries and scored four touchdowns to help the Lancers clinch a playoff berth and hand Moorpark its third consecutive Marmonte League loss.

``Wes always does a tremendous job,'' said Lancers quarterback Gabe Portilla. ``They were loading up on the run and he still had a good game. I think a lot of the credit has to go to the offensive line. They worked hard during the offseason and it's paying off. They just dominated in the second half.''

Cobos, who has 1,508 yards on 196 carries with 19 touchdowns on the season, concurred with Portilla and credited the line for his success.

``The line really picked it up starting in the second quarter,'' Cobos said. ``They played great. They made all the difference.''

The offensive front five of center Chris Hansen (6-3, 255), guards Michael Gergis (6-0, 210) and Brice Redmond (6-1, 220) and tackles Todd Furlong (6-4, 221) and Justin Chase (6-2, 220) hammered the Moorpark defensive line and afforded Portilla with ample protection on the occasional pass play.

Moorpark (3-3, 6-3) started well, opening the game with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that was culminated on a 3-yard pass play from Mark Gressman to Gail Martin.

Thousand Oaks (3-1-1, 4-4-1) responded with a swift 4-play, 52-yard drive that tied it 6-6. Cobos scored on a 29-yard run and had 47 of the 52 yards.

Moorpark scored again three minutes later when Gressman connected with Scott Rollins on a 23-yard score.

It was the last touchdown Moorpark would score until eight minutes were left in the game.

The Lancers defense made some adjustments and shut down the Musketeers' rushing attack, while the offense began to pound away at Moorpark.

Portilla scored on a 1-yard run and Cobos had a 6-yard touchdown just before the end of the half to give Thousand Oaks the lead for good at 20-14.

Cobos added touchdown runs of 8 and 6 yards to help Thousand Oaks open a 34-14 lead.

Moorpark made it close with a couple of Art Lopez touchdown runs, but the Lancers were always at least one step ahead.

The victory clinched at least a third-place finish and playoff berth for the Lancers.

``We knew we could do it,'' Cobos said. ``Even after we lost to Simi. We worked hard and this is what happened.''

Thousand Oaks closes the regular season at league-leading Newbury Park on Friday.

Lopez led the Musketeers with 114 yards on 27 carries. He did the bulk of the running as Art Garcia left in the first quarter after suffering a sprained right ankle. Garcia was able to return but was ineffective on his four carries in the second half.