VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Notre Dame, which moves from the Southern Section Division I Del Rey League to the Division III Mission League, has been picked by sportswriters at The Times as the region’s preseason No. 1 team.

The Knights, who finished 10-2 last season and lost in the second round of the playoffs, return seven lettermen on the defensive unit.

Included are tackle Travis Johnson, who one scouting service selected as the best lineman in the nation, and linebackers Alec Moss, Mike Barron and Patrick Wade.

Westlake and Newbury Park of the Marmonte League and Hart and Valencia of the Foothill League round out the top five.

Westlake and Newbury Park are considered favorites in the Division IV title chase, while Hart and Valencia will vie with Notre Dame for the Division III championship.