DIV. XII FOOTBALL: WHAT IS OAKS' WORTH LIONS' JUGGERNAUT UP FOR ANOTHER TITLE.

Byline: Ramona Shelburne  Staff Writer

They've beaten most of their opponents so handily, fourth quarters have become boring. They've scored so many points, statisticians need two stat sheets to keep all the numbers.

In last week's semifinal romp over Nordhoff, the loudest cheer of the night came from visiting fans as their team broke through for a meaningless fourth-quarter touchdown, avoiding a shutout.

Welcome to Marc Tyler's world.

Oaks Christian of Westlake Village's standout junior running back has been so good while rolling up more than 2,000 yards and 39 touchdowns this year, he's rarely on the field at the end of games.

``Toward the end of the season it's cold, so most of the time, we're on the sidelines, cold and bored,'' he joked. ``It's frustrating when you can't even play in the fourth quarter of a semifinal.''

As impressive as Oaks Christian has been this year - the Lions have won their games by an average score of 54-7, won 30 straight games and could set a Southern Section record for scoring differential with another blowout against Grace Brethren of Simi Valley in tonight's Division XII championship - it's difficult to gauge how good they really are because they haven't faced any real competition.

No one doubts the Lions' talent. Tyler and junior quarterback Jimmy Clausen are highly sought-after recruits, and another six to 10 players likely will join them in the college ranks.

``I think we can match anyone athlete for athlete,'' Tyler said. ``A school like Notre Dame (of Sherman Oaks) has more kids, though. That's probably the knock on us, because we don't have as many guys on the team.''

Oaks Christian, which beat Grace Brethren 48-7 in Week 2, played bigger schools before Tri-Valley League play began - Pacific League champion Muir of Pasadena, Golden League co-champ Palmdale and Burbank - beating them by a combined 165-24.

Next season, Oaks Christian faces a more challenging schedule. The Lions will play Div. IV power St. Bonaventure of Ventura and City Section contender Venice.

Notre Dame, the Daily News' top-ranked team, played Oaks Christian in a summer passing-league tournament. Oaks Christian won as Clausen picked apart the Knights' defense with his rocket right arm.

``Passing league is good practice, but that's not really football,'' Notre Dame coach Kevin Rooney said. ``Still, I think they could play with just about anybody.

Palmdale coach Jeff Williams has played Notre Dame and Oaks Christian, losing 34-7 to the Knights and 58-14 to the Lions. He said he thinks Notre Dame, which plays tonight for its fourth successive Div. III title, is better because of its depth and longevity at the top.

``I don't think anyone is as good as Notre Dame - they've proven it year in and year out,'' Williams said. ``Notre Dame plays all-comers, they execute, and they don't make mistakes. ... Oaks Christian has some great personnel, and coach (Bill) Redell is a great coach. ``But my opinion is they need to move up to a division where it really counts. When they play Long Beach Poly and Mission Viejo every week, it'll speak for itself.''

Ramona Shelburne, [phone]

ramona.shelburne(at)dailynews.com