Ventura, CA — For a running back who glides, bursts and shifts directions like a wind gust, Jake Murphy operates on a straight-forward philosophy. Whatever it takes. "I'll run by you if I can, run over you if I have to do that," says the Buena High senior. When it works, it works. It's been a breakthrough season for Murphy, who has rushed for 1,078 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging a heady 10.0 yards per carry. More significantly, the running back's exploits have helped Buena forge what might become a memorable campaign. The Bulldogs stand 5-3 overall, 3-0 in the Pacific View League and can clinch the program's first league championship in 11 years with a victory Friday night. That next step is a doozy. Standing in the way of the Bulldogs and a dream regular season is rival and nemesis Ventura High, which will host the esteemed rivalry contest at Larrabee Stadium beginning at 7 p.m. The Cougars hold an unlikely and improbable stranglehold in the annual city matchup by winning the last 11 games in the series. Buena's last victory came in that league-title season, in 2009, with a 14-10 triumph. The Bulldogs wrap up the league championship with a win Friday night. Ventura can throw the league chase into a dither with a victory. A Cougars' win likely produces a three-way tie for first — along with Santa Ynez — that league administrators would have to sort through after next week's regular-season finales. Murphy and his teammates, of course, would prefer to just handle business. He said the Bulldogs will use the long losing streak to the Cougars as inspiration. "We use it as motivation, but more than anything we can't be nervous about the game," he said. "We had the close game in the spring (a 28-25 defeat) where mistakes proved to be the difference. We've been working so hard all season and this is our chance to make it all pay off. "We're ready to go. I only wish the game would start right now." Ventura, of course, has other ideas. Offensive standout and senior wide receiver Tyler Woodworth says his team can rebound from last week's defeat to Santa Ynez by taking down the Bulldogs. He said there's something difference about team practices this week. "You can tell there's a lot more intensity in the air," he said. "We know how important this game is for us. I think with a good week of practices, we'll be ready to play our best game." Woodworth is 3-0 against Buena since joining the varsity. He said the Cougars are always prepared for their rivals. "The coaches have done a great job of getting us prepared for these games," he said. "We understand that we have to play harder than (the Bulldogs) do. We have to be more physical." Woodworth is explosive, consistent and productive. What he is not is loud and boisterous. "I'm quiet," he said. "I focus on playing the game." His numbers speak volumes. With Ventura 4-3 overall and 2-1 in league, the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder has been the top offensive threat with 41 catches for 498 yards and nine touchdowns. Woodworth is shining even as Ventura searches for top form. Among the challenges faced by the Cougars this season is issues with COVID-19. The opening contest in Zero Week was canceled due to the virus. Several players, including Woodworth, didn't play the Week 1 game as they awaited vaccinations to be completed. Ventura has employed a couple quarterbacks this season. Sophomore Joey Reynoso has thrown for 844 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. The leading rusher is Esteban DeSantiago, who has run for 432 yards and three touchdowns. Through it all, Woodworth has been the go-to guy on offense. "I'm happy with how I'm playing," he said. "I'm not worried about stats. All I want is to win football games. I'll do whatever I can to help the team." Woodworth said what he appreciates most about playing wide receiver are the matchups with defenders. "I like the competition," he said. "Most of the time, it's going one on one with a defender and trying to win that battle. It's fun, it's rewarding." Murphy's big numbers as a 12th-grader were always the plan, he said. "Coming up as a sophomore, I expected to be comfortable and productive by the time I was a senior," he said. "A lot of us came up to varsity as sophomores. We talked about what we wanted to accomplish when we were seniors." In last spring's abbreviated five-game schedule, Murphy — as a junior — totaled 463 rushing yards and four touchdowns. It's laid the groundwork for a clutch senior season. "I worked so hard in the offseason to get ready," said the 6-foot, 175-pounder. "We all did. We were confident that we could be a pretty good team. It feels great to play a 10-game regular season again. It's up to us to take advantage of the opportunity." Buena opened the season with a pair of disappointing losses, including a 22-21 verdict to Oak Park where the Bulldogs held a 15-point lead with five minutes remaining. Murphy said his team didn't pout, it absorbed the lessons. "We made mistakes that cost us two wins," he said. "We learned from that. We were determined to get better." Junior quarterback Zane Carter has provided ideal balance to Murphy's running prowess by throwing for 1,013 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Murphy is the prototype stellar running back who gets stronger with each carry. He said he's had experience that goes back a long way. The junior quarterback has thrown for 1,013 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games. The Bulldogs can clinch their first league title in 11 years by ending an 11-game losing streak to Ventura on Friday night. "I started playing football when I was 5 years old," he said. "I've always played running back. I didn't get off the bench much for a couple of years, but was able to play well once I got onto the field. "I think playing running back for so long has allowed me to read defenses pretty well. It comes naturally for me. I know it's helped a lot this season. The farther along a games goes, the more I know what the defense is going to do. I can anticipate what's coming. That becomes an advantage for me the later the game goes." Murphy's yardage total is No. 2 in Ventura County, trailing only Simi Valley's Caleb Alvary, who has rushed for 1,105 yards. Murphy combines speed with power. He's not shy about taking on a defender head on. He's also a track sprinter who seldom gets caught from behind. The bottom line? It doesn't get much better than playing for a top contender while racking up efficient numbers. "I'm having so much fun," he said. "I'm so grateful that we're having a season like this for my senior year." The presence of both Murphy and Woodworth in the city rivalry game was always a given. Murphy opted to play for the hometown team and join the teammates he played with on youth teams. "My friends were all coming to Buena," he said. "I always knew I was going to play here." Woodworth literally grew up on Ventura sidelines. His father Woody is a former assistant and JV coach. "This was always going to be my school," he said. "I wasn't going to play anywhere else."