With the actual game approaching, the Spygate-like controversy that sprang from the Ventura College and Moorpark College football teams' Aug. 21 scrimmages has drifted into the background.

Since intersquad scrimmages have been eliminated by budget cuts, schools no longer exchange film before their opening games.

"You never know what you're going to get out of your first opponent," said Ventura coach Steve Mooshagian.

Under the added pressure of a rivalry opener, after a long offseason recruiting against each other, the buildup to Saturday's game began with some early finger pointing.

In the morning, Ventura coaches accused Moorpark coaches of asking a local high school staff to film the VC scrimmage. In the evening, Moorpark coach Jim Bittner went in the Griffin Stadium stands to personally eject two members of the Ventura staff.

"Moorpark can scout us as much as they want," said Ventura middle linebacker Brendan Daley. "But when it comes down to it, they still have to line up."

Moorpark running back Matt Gentle said the Raiders have been e-mailing each other bulletin board quotes.

"We feed off that a little," said Gentle. "We're just excited about that. We want to show them, 'Yeah, you all got us last year, but we're back.' "