N.D.'S BUILDING BLOCK OFFENSIVE LINEMAN CARMICHAEL WATCHES OVER KNIGHTS' SKILL PLAYERS.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Staff Writer

Like a professional bodyguard serving the president, Charlie Carmichael, a top offensive lineman for Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks, puts it all on the line to protect quarterback Dayne Crist and to pave the way for running back Thaddeus Brown.

Crist and Brown have received most of the headlines and accolades heading into tonight's Pac-5 Division football quarterfinal between the Knights (11-0) and host Long Beach Poly (10-1) at Veterans Stadium, but that's OK with Carmichael.

The 6-foot-5, 304-pound senior has accepted his role as the team's anonymous but appreciated benefactor.

``I don't need the glory as long as I contribute, and I understand the only time we blockers ever get noticed is if we do something wrong,'' Carmichael said. ``My job is to protect Dayne Crist and help our running game, and I'm looking forward to playing Long Beach Poly because it's a big challenge.''

Fellow standout lineman Sam DeMartinis went down with a finger injury two weeks ago, so Carmichael has switched from right tackle to lefttackle, which means it's his responsibility to keep defenders away from Crist's blind side. There isn't a more important position up front, and Crist has absolute faith in Carmichael.

``Oh, I trust Charlie totally. You have to,'' Crist said. ``Without those guys up front, nothing gets done. That's why the whole team appreciates the way the linemen come early every day for extra workouts to make themselves better.''

Notre Dame coach Kevin Rooney said he knew Carmichael wouldn't have a problem switching positions.

``We're confident in Charlie no matter where he plays because he's just an outstanding player, and I think he's equally good at left tackle or right tackle,'' Rooney said. ``He's a big guy and a really good athlete who's very aggressive, fires off the ball and stays with his blocks.''

Carmichael and fellow blockers Wes Horton, Aaron Thomas, Eric Jusco and Larry Thompson look to put the push on a Long Beach Poly defense that has allowed an opponent to score more than one touchdown just once all season.

Carmichael, who has committed to Oregon, will oppose Long Beach Poly's standout defensive end Kenny Rowe, who has 87 tackles and 14sacks, as Notre Dame, which won three consecutive Div. III titles from 2002-04, looks to continue its postseason run after being promoted to the Southern Section's most competitive division.

Long Beach Poly, a school of more than 4,000 students, has won 17section titles.

``This is definitely a big step up for us,'' Carmichael said.

No matter what happens, Crist will rely on Carmichael 100 percent, and the quarterback wouldn't want things any other way.

``Before the season, I took Charlie and the rest of the linemen for steak dinners at Outback Steakhouse with my own money that I earned during the summer as a camp counselor,'' Crist said. ``And you can believe me, it's been worth every penny.''

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Q&A ... WITH MALACHI LEWIS

The Spartans' 6-foot-4, 215-pounder is a standout running back and a NCAA Division I prospect who is being recruited for several positions. He's also a sprinter on Rio Mesa's track team. Lewis has rushed for 1,371 yards and 23 touchdowns on 194 carries and will lead the Spartans' balanced offense against Canyon of Canyon Country in tonight's Northern Division quarterfinal.

Wide receiver Josh Harrison and you might be the fastest guys on the team. Who would win in an old-fashioned schoolyard race between the two of you?

I would beat him every time. I don't know why but I know I would beat him. I've raced him before and I beat him. We both ran the 40(-yard dash) and he ran a 4.5 (seconds), I ran a 4.4.

Your game against Canyon is the day after Thanksgiving. Does that keep you from eating on the holiday?

I try not to eat too much. A little bit of a turkey wouldn't be a problem. I like stuffing, sweet potatoes, yams ... all that good stuff.

How's recruiting coming along? You had several D-I schools tossing offers at you earlier this year. Which schools are calling now? What position do they want you to play?

I have offers from Michigan, Tennessee, Cal, Oregon, 'SC and Ole Miss. They want me as a running back and strong safety. I would like to play running back or receiver.

Where do you think you'll end up and what will it take for that school to hook you and reel you in?

I'm not in a hurry. I'll just wait it out and see what they're recruiting classes look like.

What will it take for someone to tackle you one-on-one in the open field?

I feel if you try to hit me high, I'll run over you. They'll have to hit me low to get me down.

You could probably play any position on the field. If there was a team of 11 Malachi Lewises, could that team ever be beat?

Because we would be big and fast and can play any position, I think we would have a good chance at winning every game. It would be tough to beat us.

Canyon has a fast, agile, powerful running back of its own in J.J. DiLuigi. How does that motivate you to do better in this game?

That doesn't motivate me at all. It doesn't get to me. I keep a straight face and worry about what I have to do. Those things don't get me worried. I play at the same level, no matter the game.

Win or lose today, what is one thing you will not forget about this season?

That it's been a good year at 10-1 or even 10-2. We went through practice and all the summer workouts. But it's not over yet.

Canyon is a heavy favorite. What can Rio Mesa do to try and pull off an upset?

Go in there and do what we have to do. Try our balanced attack and do whatever we can to beat them.

-- Ivan Orozco

UNDER THE HELMET

Five days after undergoing surgery to repair a broken leg, star running back Marc Tyler of Oaks Christian of Westlake Village was in good spirits Thursday morning during a Thanksgiving practice in preparation for tonight's Northwest Division football quarterfinal between the top-ranked Lions (11-0) and host Morro Bay (8-3).

``I'm doing good. I just wanted to come out and watch practice because it brings a lot of good memories,'' said Tyler, a USC-bound senior who has rushed for 1,700 yards and scored 31touchdowns this season.

``It's just good to get out of the house. I'm on crutches but hopefully I'll be switching to a boot soon.''

Tyler won't return to school until after the semester, instead finishing his coursework through a home study program.

``I really appreciate all my teammates giving me a lot of support,'' he said. ``They sent me lots of things, lots of candy, and Jimmy (Clausen) bought me a USC beanie.''

< STILL IN THE HUNT

Chaminade of West Hills and Harvard-Westlake of Studio City, two of the San Fernando Valley's oldest private schools without a section football championship, continue their quest for a first title.

Chaminade (8-3) is favored over host Lancaster (7-4) in a Western Division quarterfinal tonight, while Harvard-Westlake (9-2) also is favored against host Pioneer Valley of Santa Maria (8-3) in a Northwest quarterfinal.

Both schools have won titles in other major sports but never football. Chaminade figures to have a better chance to go all the way, if only because Harvard-Westlake is in the same division as Oaks Christian, No. 6 in USA Today's national rankings.

``This is a good place to be this time of year,'' Chaminade coach Ben McEnroe said. ``I like our chances because of the way we play defense. The last three games, we've held St. Francis, Alemany and Lynwood to about 200 yards, and those are three decent teams.''

< HERE'S THE KICKER 

Sean Sehnem, a former Crespi of Encino kicker who's a sophomore at Western New Mexico, finished as the No.1 kicker in NCAA DivisionII, connecting on 15 of 20 field goals for an average of 1.5 per game.

Sehnem also averaged 43.2 yards as a punter but didn't qualify for the leaderboard because he was four punts shy of the minimum average of

3.6 per game.

Sehnem's story is an inspirational one. After high school, he went to College of the Canyons but was beaten out, so Sehnem made a kicking video and sent it out to colleges in hope of landing a scholarship instead of wasting a year as a grayshirt.

That's how Western New Mexico, a small college in Silver City, N.M., found out about him.

-- Gerry Gittelson

CAPTION(S):

4 photos, 4 boxes

Photo:

(1) An injury forced Notre Dame to move Charlie Carmichael to left tackle, where he has flourished.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

(2) no capition (Malachi Lewis)

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/ Special to LA Daily News.

(3) WES HORTON

(4) KENNY ROWE

Box:

(1) Q&A ... WITH MALACHI LEWIS (see text)

- Ivan Orozco

(2) UNDER THE HELMET (see text)

- Gerry Gittelson

(3) THE BIG MATCHUP

WES HORTON vs. KENNY ROWE

(4) PEERLESS PROGNOSTICATION