Football: What took so long for schools to play?

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Westlake Village Westlake and Westlake Village Oaks Christian are less than a mile apart, but it took 11 years for the two schools to finally meet on Friday night in football. What took so long?

Westlake Coach Jim Benkert said it made no sense for his school to play the Lions since it was a no-win situation. If Westlake beat the new private school that opened in 2000, no one would care. But if Oaks Christian won, that would be big news.

It took putting Oaks Christian in the Marmonte League for football to force the matchup, and now both schools are excited to play.

Of course, Benkert and Oaks Christian Coach Bill Redell have been long-time friends. Redell hired Benkert as one of his top assistants during the 1980s at Encino Crespi. Now both are considered among the best in the coaching ranks.

-- Eric Sondheimer