Now It Counts: Moorpark High Ready for League Opener

Correction: We've made a correction to the Musketeer's record against Thousand Oaks.

Marmonte League football begins Friday, and Moorpark has a tough league opener against visiting Thousand Oaks, an annual playoff contender that is coming off a 62-0 opening win over Hueneme.

The past two years, the Moorpark-Thousand Oaks showdown has gone into overtime, with Moorpark losing 29-28 last season and winning 28-21 in 2009. Overall, Moorpark has defeated Thousand Oaks five times over the past six years, and the last three times the teams have played, it’s been close. In 2008, Moorpark won 20-17, so the past three have all been decided by a touchdown or less.

Thousand Oaks’ Clark Arbourisk has completed 8 of 10 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns, and Nathan DeBeikes rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Matt Singleton is the leading tackler with 11.

Moorpark faced a stiff challenge in the opener, knocking off Palos Verdes 21-10 two weeks, then taking a bye week last week.

Some of Moorpark’s top players are quarterback Grant Rohach, offensive linemen Anthony Sarracco and Anthony Peterson, receiver Alex Tolliver, running back Aaron Stanton, defensive lineman Brandon Hughes and linebacker Tony Mack.

Moorpark has defeated Thousand Oaks six times in a row. Here’s a rundown:

2010 – Thousand Oaks 29, Moorpark 28 (OT)

2009 – Moorpark 28, Thousand Oaks 21 (OT)

2008 – Moorpark 20, Thousand Oaks 17

2007 – Moorpark 40, Thousand Oaks 17

2006 – Moorpark 38, Thousand Oaks 24

2005 – Moorpark 50, Thousand Oaks 28