MISSING YOU—An injury forced Thousand Oaks High standourunning back Rickey Minyard to miss last week’s loss at BuenaT.O.’s entire offense must step up if Minyard can’t play this week Instead of huffing and wheezing through sprints at the end of practice, the Thousand Oaks High football team had a little fun.

For the last 15 minutes of Tuesday’s practice, the Lancers played 4-on-4 against each other, with players picking their own teams. What ensued was hilarity, team bonding and a highlight reel of blooper material.

Just try not to crack a smile while watching linemen throw a pigskin or stretch out for a bobbling catch.

“We’ve been working hard, and coach has been hard on us all year,” said senior wide receiver Bobby Mullaney. “Just this one time, he gave us a rest, a little break.”

Although the Lancers are 0-2, desperation hasn’t set in, and the team is focused on one goal: beating Canyon.

Thousand Oaks head coach Mike Leiben said he isn’t worried about his players’ abilities or confidence after razor-close losses to Valencia and Buena, two teams ranked in the top-nine of the latest CIFSouthern Section Northern Division poll.

“We are showing a lot of positive signs,” Leiben said. “There are two things we need to find out: Can we execute more consistently, and can we close out a game.”

Friday’s showdown at Canyon, also 0-2, figures to be an emotional battle. Both teams will try to avoid winless starts three weeks into the season.

Junior quarterback Avondre Bollar said it was important to secure a victory before the Lancers open Marmonte League action at Westlake on Oct. 2.

“It’s a big game,” Bollar said. “We’re both looking for our first win. We want to know we can put someone away instead of losing it in the fourth quarter.”

Senior right tackle Lucas Clifford said the Cowboys have size on the offensive and defensive lines. Bollar said Canyon likes to hit hard. Leiben said this was a “good matchup against a good football team.”

Mullaney said he thinks the Lancers always have a shot to win with Bollar behind center.

“He’s such a great athlete,” Mullaney said of his quarterback. “He can always make a play. Rickey (Minyard) can make plays with long runs or short runs. The line is getting better. Our defense keeps improving. Choose your strength. We have so many weapons.”

In two games, Bollar has completed 29-of-46 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns.

He also has 186 rushing yards. The quarterback’s favorite targets are the Mullaney brothers. Richard Mullaney, a junior wide receiver, has 10 receptions for 94 yards. His older brother has eight catches for 122 yards and three total scores.

Minyard, who missed last week’s game against Buena with a shoulder injury, may not play this week. Coaches are expected to make a decision on the running back’s availability today.

Tight end/defensive end Daniel Miller and defensive back/linebacker Cameron Schneider are not expected to play this week. All three players will return at some point this season, Leiben said.

Richard Mullaney thinks Thousand Oaks can only improve, and said toughness, tackling and concentration will be keys for success down the road.

“We’ve played pretty well,” he said. “We haven’t reached our full potential.

“This game is important just to have momentum going into the Marmonte League. It’s pretty important to get a win under our belts.”

With the talent, confidence and work ethic in place, The Lancers know what they need to do.

“We’ve almost always been a second-half team,” Clifford said. “We need to play a whole game. . . . If we play well, we will beat Canyon. If we play well .”

Outlook: It might not be league play, but this is a must-win game for both teams. Based on each program’s rich history, it’s almost impossible to imagine either Canyon or Thousand Oaks going 0-3 to start a football season, but someone’s going to feel the sting of that harsh reality by Saturday morning.