Running Back Stanton Key for Moorpark Football

After waiting patiently as a backup last season, Aaron Stanton is the starting tailback for Moorpark High’s football team, and the 5-8, 170-pound junior is primed and ready.

A year ago, Stanton sat in favor of senior Tyler Peterson, who had a strong season (869 yards, eight touchdowns) in helping Moorpark advance to the Southern Section Northern Division quarterfinals. But when given the opportunity to see the football, Stanton performed well, too, rushing for 496 yards on 85 attempts – an average of just seven carries per game – and two touchdowns, and he also totaled 14 receptions.

The season opener is Sept. 2 against visiting Palos Verdes, and Stanton is eager to make an impression.

“I saw last season as a learning year, where I figured out a lot,” Stanton said. “Tyler was good, so there was no major disappointment backing him up.” 

Moorpark has one of California’s top quarterbacks in returning standout Grant Rohach, who has committed to Iowa State, and the Musketeers also return an experienced receiver in Alex Tolliver. So with Moorpark expected to be an effective passing team – at the very least – that should open things up for Stanton, who finds himself in a good position.

“Grant has been outstanding, and he has been and will be a big part of our offense,” Stanton said. “He's a great player.”

Even though Moorpark advanced to the quarterfinals, it was actually a down year for the Musketeers considering they had advanced to a section final four times over the previous five seasons. Then again, the Marmonte League was fortified with the addition of state powers Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure.

With fellow state power Westlake in the mix, along with perennial playoff contenders Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park, nothing is going to come easy. Stanton’s development will be an important factor if Moorpark is to succeed, and it’s not like there is a big learning curve because with 10 teams in the league, Marmonte competition begins in Week Two – earlier than any other league in California.

“We are in a fantastic league with fantastic teams, and we have to prove we are one of those elite teams,” Stanton said. “I think we are on the path of a great year.”

Last year, Stanton barely saw the football the first two games in a couple of close games that both were decided in the final moments, a 24-21 opening loss at Eastlake in Chula Vista, followed by a 31-30 win over Newbury Park.

In the third week, Moorpark defeated Agoura 37-7, and Stanton got his first chance to show what he could do, rushing for 95 yards on 12 carries and adding one reception. Two weeks later, Stanton rushed for 82 yards and his first touchdown in eight carries in a 34-7 win over Calabasas, and he two weeks after that, he rushed for 87 yards on 11 attempts in a 31-0 win over Royal.

Stanton also looked good in a first-round playoff game at Mira Costa, rushing for 57 yards on eight carries in a 27-17 upset win.

Now Stanton is ready to be the full-time back. The season opener is right around the corner, and Stanton can’t wait.

“Our team has been working incredibly hard to get better constantly, so it will be great to be tested on how hard we have worked,” he said.