What’s the rush?

You know he’s coming, but what is a team to do about it?

So far, not much.

It’s no secret that when you take on a Huntington Beach High football team — a program that traditionally relies on its rushing attack — the Oilers will run full steam ahead. They’ve had ample backs to carry the load in years past and in 2006, Stephen Gabbard’s been the one who has been bullish on opponents.

At the halfway point of the prep football season, Gabbard has already carried quite the load. The 6-foot, 215-pound senior running back has led the Oilers on offense in each of their five games, a stretch in which they’ve compiled a 4-1 record and No. 8 ranking in the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division poll.

Gabbard is a no-nonsense type of runner who has steamrolled his way to 1,552 yards in 148 carries. He has scored 20 touchdowns and averages 10.49 yards every time he touches the ball.

The state’s rushing statistics leader — as listed by MaxPreps.com and whom Oilers Coach Mike Groscost said is ranked second nationally in rushing statistics — is well on track to break all Huntington Beach High rushing records.

“We’ve had some good runners in the past and Stephen is another one in that line,” Groscost said. “He’s a three-year varsity player and a very durable runner.

“What’s impressive about what he’s done is that other teams know he’s going to get the ball, yet they haven’t been able to stop him. He’s a great runner.”

For all of the wear and tear he takes during a game, Gabbard, Groscost said, hasn’t been dinged up much, save for a contusion on his shin he suffered following Huntington’s season-opening game against Long Beach Millikan on Sept. 1.

Gabbard has rushed into the state and national spotlight behind a talented offensive line that includes tackles Skyler Fancher and Shane Landry, guards Finau Fiaseu and Jason Spangler, center Tyler Haunreiter and tight ends Keith Roberts and Josh Smith.

Westminster was the last team to attempt to corral Gabbard, but there was no-such containment. On the night of Sept. 28, No. 34 was called on in 16 of Huntington’s 21 rushing attempts in the first half and accounted for 182 yards and two touchdowns by intermission.

He finished the game with 353 yards and four TDs.

“He does a great job of following his blockers,” said Westminster Coach Ted McMillen, whose Lions — despite Gabbard’s performance — managed to upset the Oilers, 34-31. “He’s deceptively fast and always falls forward. He gets a lot of five- and six-yard gains where other runners would get two or three yards.

“I was really impressed with him. His durability is probably his biggest asset. We tried to stop him but like a lot of other teams, couldn’t.”

Next to try that task is a Trabuco Hills team that enters Friday’s Sea View League opener with a record of 2-3. The Mustangs are coming off a 30-9 loss to Aliso Niguel. Josh Velasco, Trabuco’s leading rusher, scored on a short touchdown run.

Huntington and Trabuco Hills have met in nonleague play the last two years with each winning a close, high-scoring affair.

Last year’s score: Mustangs 35, Oilers 25

Other Friday games:

Marina (1-4) vs. Edison (4-1)

(at Huntington Beach High, 7 p.m.)

Marina had plenty to celebrate late last Friday night following a 39-28 triumph over visiting Paramount. The win was not only the first of the season for the Vikings but also ended a 15-game losing streak that dated back to November, 2004.

Junior Justin Steen rushed for a pair of touchdowns and 173 yards in the second half to rally Marina past the Pirates. The Vikings pulled out the win the hard way, too, by scoring the final 22 points of the game.

Senior quarterback Josh Jordan also ran for a score and connected with junior Jimmy Irvin on a 52-yard touchdown pass play. Junior Tim Atencio rushed for a touchdown and Dustin Lockwood nailed a 34-yard field goal for the Vikings.

Now comes a meeting with intracity foe Edison, a rivalry that dates back to the 1974 season and one the Chargers lead, 27-4-1. Friday marks homecoming for Edison, which has had two weeks to prepare for this Sunset League opener for the schools.

The Chargers last played on Sept. 29, when they battled top-ranked Mater Dei to the wire in a 21-14 defeat.

Last year’s score: Chargers 31, Vikings 7

Segerstrom (0-5) vs. Ocean View (1-4)

(at Ocean View High, 7 p.m.)

Both teams enter Golden West League play coming off a loss.

Segerstrom was shut out last week by Irvine, 35-0, and the Jaguars, in their first-year playing varsity football, are still looking for their initial win.

Ocean View, meanwhile, played Estancia tough for a half last week but ended up on the losing end of a 35-7 score. Senior running back Christian Nagel took a handoff 77 yards untouched down the Estancia sideline on the first series of the game, giving the Seahawks a 7-0 lead.

Segerstrom and Ocean View have a common opponent this year: Bolsa Grande. The Jaguars lost a close one to Bolsa Grande on Sept. 14, 27-21, and the Seahawks were shut out by the Matadors, 14-0, on Sept. 28.