Moorpark High Football Off to a Good Start

Moorpark High’s football team has always prided itself on defense.

Sure enough, in a season-opening 21-10 win Friday over visiting Palos Verdes, Moorpark’s defense saved the day, as Bobby Eckert returned an interception for 23 yards for a touchdown, Brandon Hughes recorded two sacks and did a good job hurrying Palos Verdes’ Zack Fixen on several other pass attempts, and the Musketeers forced three turnovers.

There is plenty of flash in Marmonte League with quarterbacks who can throw for a lot of yards, running backs and receivers headed to major colleges and kickers who can make 50-yard field goals. But Moorpark, coming off a 6-6 season after qualifying for a section championship four times over the preceding five seasons, plans to succeed the old-fashioned way with a mix of good fundamentals and sure tackling.

It’s a plan that has worked before, and the Musketeers are idle this week, giving the team more time to fine-tune things before the Marmonte opener Sept. 15 against visiting Thousand Oaks.

“We’re still working the kinks out on offense with some fumbles and mishandled snaps, but the defense played really well,” said Moorpark quarterback Grant Rohach, who passed for 134 yards and a touchdown. “It’s just the first game. We should be good to go for Thousand Oaks, and it’s nice to head into Marmonte competition with a winning record.”

Tim Lins is the head coach, but longtime defensive coordinator Ron Wilford has head-coaching experience, too, and the two coaches complement each other well.

“We take a lot of pride in our defense,” Rohach said.

In addition to Eckert’s interception return, Moorpark scored on an 11-yard pass from Rohach to Kenny Feyh and a 3-yard run by Aaron Stanton, who rushed for 75 yards in his debut as a starter.

Also, Moorpark has discovered a kicker to replace graduated Alex Nelson, one of the Marmonte’s best last season. Eric Kreitz has taken over both kicking and punting, and Rohach believes the junior is primed for a big season.

“He has a great leg, he can kick it a mile, and he is accurate from what I’ve seen,” Rohach said.

Meanwhile, Moorpark College lost its opener Saturday 31-26 to Ventura despite the host Raiders allowing just 166 yards total offense.

The Moorpark College defense established itself as a force in the opener against Ventura Saturday night.  But, their dominating performance could not overcome three huge plays that accounted three Ventura touchdowns, and a 31-26 loss.

Moorpark’s Nick Owens completed 21 of 40 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns, but he was sacked six times.

A couple of Moorpark High graduates helped out for Ventura. Tim Vizzi scored on a 22-yard receptions, and Marc Palacios totaled four tackles.

Ventura was just 1 of 17 on third-down conversions, but Moorpark lost three fumbles.

“We lost because of turnovers,” Moorpark coach Jim Bittner said.