Little can be said about Norco running back Toby Gerhart that his actions haven't already shouted out. In Friday's SS CIF-Southern Section Division V championship game, Temescal Canyon will face the state's all-time rushing leader, the Gatorade State Player of the Year and the subject of a recruiting street fight between Stanford and UCLA for next year's services.

The game also marks his third-straight attempt at a CIF title after being turned away in the last two championship games. So, he's motivated, too.

If Titans fans aren't already familiar with the most prolific running back in state history, here's an idea of how tonight's game will go: Visiting Temescal Canyon will stack the line of scrimmage with eight or nine bodies on every down to stop Gerhart, and every eye in the stadium will be trained on No. 7, on every Norco offensive play.

Gerhart will get the ball 80 percent of time. And that completes Norco Football 101.

Gerhart became the state's all-time leading rusher in Week 10 this season when he finished the Cougars' 22-15 victory over Corona with 8,632 career yards, wiping out the four-year-old record of 8,495 yards held by Lorenzo Booker of Ventura St. Bonaventure. Going into tonight's game, with three more playoff games to help his total, he's got 9,411.

So far this year, the senior has averaged 230 yards per game, compiled 2,982 total rushing yards and scored 35 touchdowns —— including a six-touchdown performance against Corona Centennial. He's strong, fast and averages almost 11 yards every time he carries the ball. And the tougher the competition, the more carries he gets.

"I think I've probably held him back a bit," said Norco coach Todd Gerhart —— Toby's father —- who took over longtime coach Gary Campbell two years ago. "I might have been a little protective of Toby.

"Another coach would have let him go a lot more."

Both Gerharts consider 12-1 Temescal Canyon to be tough competition, so on Friday, dad is going to let his son go a lot more.

"As the season has progressed, I've gotten more carries," said Toby, who averaged 13 carries per game during the season's first five games, and just 21 for the season. "Other teams might have had me go for more. In the big games, I've carried 35 to 40 times. It takes a toll on your body. I'm glad I've been paced throughout the season, and my body has held up so far."

Norco's offensive line has done its part, too. Gerhart runs behind 1,300 pounds of linemen he describes as "big, tall and thick." Among them is his brother, Garth, the center, who weighs just a tad below 300 pounds. The entire line averages 6-foot-2 in height and 260 pounds.

"They're phenomenal," he says. "And they're all fast. Their ability to get off on the linebackers and make blocks downfield is one of their greatest attributes."

Norco (12-1) averages nearly 40 points per game. When Gerhart's number isn't called, the ball goes to quarterback Josh Foley or running back Kirk Philbrook, who has been slowed since getting hurt in the Corona game.

Make no mistake, though —— everyone's looking at that No. 7.

"It's a challenge, and I like it," Toby said. "It's been a great season and the accolades have been amazing. One thing I don't have, though, is a ring. It would be the best way to end a high school career."