FOOTBALL: STEAK AT STAKE FOR BEEF BLOC : IF COBOS GETS MARK, THOUSAND OAKS LINE GETS FED.

Byline: Jim Inghram Daily News Staff Writer

If Wes Cobos can rush for 196 more yards, there is a steak dinner waiting - for the guys in the trenches, the big uglies.

Cobos is that far away from breaking Thousand Oaks' single-season rushing record. If he gets there, and he more than likely will, he'll have one hefty tab to pay.

Cobos has 1,508 yards and 19 touchdowns. The school record is 1,704 set in 1991 by Cory Bowen. The touchdowns record, also set by Bowen, is 21.

The payoff is fair as far as Cobos, the region's leading rusher, is concerned. Without his big buddies, he would be nowhere.

``If it wasn't for them,'' explained Cobos. ``I definitely wouldn't have the yards I do. They are the ones that deserve all the credit.''

They are the Lancers' offensive line, which consists of center Chris Jansen (6-3, 245), guards Mike Gergis (6-0, 210) and Brice Redmond (6-1, 220), tackles Todd Furlong (6-4, 221) and Justin Chase (6-2, 220) and tight end Chris D'Ascenzo (6-2, 220).

All except Furlong are seniors. And none had much experience, except for Redmond.

The lack of playing together was an initial concern for the coaching staff, but the group has matured during the season to become a cohesive, efficient unit.

``We were somewhat worried about the inexperience,'' said Thousand Oaks coach Mike Kelly. ``At the start of the season Wes and Joey (Casillas) had to do a lot on their own, but these kids dedicated themselves in the offseason and it has paid off. After struggling a bit, they have really come together. They're all big strong and quick. Three of them run under 5-flat (40-yard times). So we knew they were good, it was just a matter of playing together.''

The group worked hard together throughout the summer, lifting weights and running. It helped them survive those first few bumpy games.

``We gained more confidence in ourselves,'' D'Ascenzo said. ``We'd get on each other to do better and I think being such good friends and working out together helped us jell quicker than if we hadn't.

``With a guy like Wes running,'' D'Ascenzo added. ``It's not like you have to do a lot; give him an inch and he's gone.''

Said Jansen: ``We take pride in what we do. We know that if we can stay in front of our guy for a second, Wes will get by and make us look good.''

The steak-dinner idea was born from a breakfast that Cobos bought for the line after he reached 1,000 yards.

``I wanted to do something for them to show how much I appreciate what they do,'' said Cobos, who moved to Thousand Oaks from Colorado before his freshman year. ``Those guys have been there for me 100 percent. I have a lot of confidence when I get the ball, because of them.''

Jansen said the steak dinner is a nice motivator, but the lineman are just simply doing their job.

``Even if he didn't do anything for us, we would still be doing the same thing,'' Jansen said.

Added Cobos: ``People see me or Joey (Casillas) score and we get all the attention, but we know how hard the line works and how much preparation they do. If they don't do a good job, our offense will go nowhere.''

But if they do a good job, the nearest steak house better not have an ``all you can eat night.''

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1) Thousand Oaks High's Wes Cobos, rear, the region's leading rusher, acknowledges the debt he owes to his brawny blockers up front.

(2) ``If it wasn't for them, I definitely wouldn't have the yards I do. They are the ones that deserve all the credit.''

- Wes Cobos

on his offensive linemen

Tina Gerson/Daily News