ESPN RISE

Bright lights, TV cameras and national attention is nothing new to many players on the nationally ranked Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) football team.

That's what having all of those sons of famous dads does. Still, being involved in a showdown like Friday night's at Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.) puts the entire team in the spotlight.

Like many other high school football players who get the chance to perform in a nationally televised matchup, Oak Christian's player just want to show they belong.

"While we've been on national TV before (in 2006), none of these kids have," said Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell. "You bet they are going to be hyped up, every single one of them. It's a chance to show a lot of people what kind of team we have. It's going to be a pretty even game."

Redell says senior quarterback Nick Montana, junior receiver and quarterback Trevor Gretzky and junior receiver Trey Smith will be approaching the Skyline game like everybody else on the team, even though they grew up around the spotlight thanks to their dads.

Montana, the son of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, has passed for five touchdowns and 312 yards in the team's first two games. Gretzky, the son of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and Smith, the son of actor Will Smith, may not play much against Skyline. Their opportunities will likely come next year when this year's seniors at Oaks Christian graduate.

Montana's prime target going against the Skyline defense may be sophomore standout Jordan Payton, who caught two of Montana's four touchdown passes last Friday.

"It's exciting to know that all your friends and family are going to be watching you," Payton said. "You also realize you must come to play and stay focused."

The other top receiver in the game -- in fact, some think he's the best junior in the nation -- is Skyline's dynamic Kasen Williams, who also won state in the high jump this past spring. He's yet to have a breakout game this season, but Skyline quarterback Jake Heaps will surely put the ball up for grabs a few times to provide Williams the chance for a highlight.

Even with the chance to showcase his ability to a national audience, Williams is taking a balanced approach to what might happen.

"I will try to treat this game just like any other game," he said. "But anytime you have a special opportunity like this to do something on national television, you want to take advantage of it. So I hope our team can take advantage of this."

Skyline defensive lineman Jase Butorac hopes the jam-packed tension of being in Skyline's 4,500-seat stadium comes through the airwaves.

"I feel very honored to play on such a huge stage," Butorac said. "I am really excited to show the nation how our team can play. The atmosphere and mood of the game will be incredible and add to the experience."

Even if Oaks Christian is going into enemy territory, the Lions aren't cowering.

"There really isn't a key to beating us, as long as we come to play and play hard and focused," Payton said. "There really isn't any team that can beat us."

Butorac, meanwhile, sounded like a coach.

"We have to be able to stop the run because it really sets up the pass, and Montana is a great passer," he said. "Being able to control the line of scrimmage will also be a huge key."

No matter who ends up winning, one thing's for sure  the celebration will be for all to see.