Monday, October 15, 2007

7th Game - SIMI VALLEY vs WESTLAKE

"All Eyes on Simi"





"This is it baby, it's the crossroad!"
























Honor, dedication and pride live on in Tutino's memory
A couple of weeks ago, I was more than a little surprised Simi Valley had beaten Moorpark, 14-6. I know the Pioneers are no pushovers thanks to having talented players like RB Langston Jackson on their roster, but things may have gone their way that night thanks to some inspiration from an old coach and friend.
Before the game, a flag donated to the team by the family of Jim Tutino (pictured left), an assistant coach at Simi Valley and a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy of 23 years who tragically died in a Metrolink crash in January 2005, was dedicated in his honor and installed above the team’s locker room door.
Tutino’s siblings, Tony and Jill Tutino, presided over a pregame dedication of the flag, which had flown over the U.S. Capitol Building, before offering some words of encouragement to the team that their brother helped coach as a defensive coordinator for five seasons.
"I told them to go out and work hard because that was Jim's philosophy," said Tony Tutino, who has worked for the Ventura County Sheriff's Department for 13 years. "It was a tremendous feeling for me to go on my brother's behalf and talk to the kids."
And with a loving tap of the flag, the Pioneers left the locker room and beat Moorpark for the first time in 11 years.
"I know Jim was looking down that night and he liked what he saw," said Tony Tutino, who was hugged by some of the Simi Valley players after the upset. "I would like to think Jim had something to do with that win."
But the Tutino family hasn't kept Jim's legacy alive just through the football team. In the months after his death they established a scholarship fund in his honor for Simi Valley students.
So far, 12 scholarships have been awarded and the family is hosting its third fund raiser on Saturday night. For more information about the fund raiser and on ways you can help, go to http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/varsitytimesinsider/2007/10/www.jimtutino.com or email them.
Simi Valley is on the road Friday at Calabasas, but returns home the following week to play a big game against Westlake. The Pioneers will enter that game, just like they did against Moorpark, as underdogs, but they’ll once again tap inspiration from the man who was a beloved figure in the school and the local community.
- Austin Knoblauch Because of a quirk in the schedule, Westlake has played at home just once over the first six games - though no one complained about traveling to Hawaii for the first game.
The Warriors are on the road again Friday at Simi Valley before finishing with three home games.








Based on the recent performance of both teams, MaxPreps predicts on: 10/19/2007
Simi Valley will beatWestlake with a final score of 21 - 19.
Deuce's picks:
Westlake 30, Simi Valley 24: Don't count on Westlake beating itself with turnovers. Cooper Shockley had career-best 224 yards rushing last week. Key for Simi Valley is generating success for RB Langston Jackson early.

WestlakeHomer
Posted: 10/14/2007 9:28 AM
Re: marmonte league rbs....
Chris Brown is no. 1 followed by Cooper Schockley and then Austin Edmonson.
I may have Langston Jackson rated too low but will get the chance to see him this coming Friday night. He is of course a very talented player.
Westlake's own Cooper Schockley had a big night vs. Royal. 224 yard in 26 carries and two touchdowns. That is a whopping 8.6 yards per carry. Another very fine young man and he and his brother have been a welcome addition to Westlake. As far as Chris Brown, what a Stud. He reminds me of a smaller version of Darrell Scott. Great vision, speed and able to accelerate at any moment. One of the best running backs in the area.

simihomer
Posted: 10/14/2007 11:07 AM
Re: marmonte league rbs....
you suprise every week with how little you understand about the game you love so much. How many of thos rb's have to face 8 or 9 defenders geared at stopping just them? this should sum it up for you homer, how many offers does schockley have? how many scouts come to watch him every week? the fact is that jackson has multiple scholarship offers from D1 schools, not letters saying we like you and we wish you a good season. How many players have been knocked out of the game trying to tackle all those other better backs? Friday should be fun.

preppy
Posted: 10/14/2007 11:23 AM
Re: marmonte league rbs....
Some of you guys are ridiculous, seriously ridiculous. Have any of you ever played football, real football??? What do you think Darrell Scott and Delano Howell would do if they were on Calabasas, Royal or Simi? Not much! You already forgot he left Moorpark because he felt he couldn't gain 3000 with their blocking. Vaughn Dotsy and the rest of the line looked very good to him esp. after Big George H and his crew. Newbury, TO, Moorpark, Westlake and Agoura have good O-lines, even old posters can run on those teams. Point: The only backs that run almost on their own are Jackson, Morris and Azoff. Proof: Watch a game where they get good blocking like they should. They definitely will upset the top teams in those circumstances. The real proof will be at the next level where they might get help. Then the doubters will start bragging about them being from the Tough Marmonte. Give some of this credit to the O-line and O-line coaches. Another upset is coming, I feel it!This post is dedicated to those below that never see another team until they play you.
Long live the UNDERDAWGS

bigfan90746 Posted: 10/14/2007 11:36 AM
Re: marmonte league rbs....
SO UR SAYING BECAUSE LISTER BROWN AND EDMONSON HAVE GOOD O LINES.
THEY ARENT AS GOOD AS JACKSON, AZOFF OR MORRIS...
COME ON! BTW AZOFF HAS THE BEST LINE U CAN GET NEXT TO NP'S O LINE..
WestlakeHomer
Posted: 10/14/2007 6:34 PM
Re: bigfan90746.
I judge the worth of a player by his Stats. Haven't broken down the level of competition just yet but maybe someday soon. Lets see, Cooper Schockley averaged 5.8 yds. per carry after week 5 and I am sure his average goes up after last Fridays huge game. He now has 6 rushing touchdowns.Austin Edmonson averages 5.6 yds. per carry and now has 7 touchdowns after last weeks game vs. T.O. Lister averages 5.2 yards per carry and has 4 touchdowns as of today. Evan had some solid stats but didn't have many carries this past week. Does that answer your question?
shortgrass
Posted: 10/14/2007 11:24 PM
Re: marmonte league rbs....
You guys talk through broken glass. Lets see what the college scouts think when the players sign...
simihomer
Posted: 10/14/2007 11:59 PM
Re: bigfan90746.
yes homer you answered many questions with your judgement on the worth of a player based on stats. Like I said before, how many d1 offers do all those other backs have? where were they ranked by scout.com? LJ has more offers that all the other backs in the marmonte league combined. he was ranked the #15 rb in the state, not the county or northern division, but the state. the stat on the state is that it stretches from chula vista in the south to crescent city in the north and has over 100,000 kids playing hs football. in case you are gonna say that some of those other backs are just juniors, i'll point out to you that Cierre Wood is a sophmore with multiple offers. So homer, you keep pounding away on the calculator with those super big numbers(for old folks). Oh and by the way, LJ has 8 or 9 rushing TD so far this year.
STANZO
Posted: 10/15/2007 12:21 AM
Re: marmonte league rbs....
LANGSTON JACKSON. MOST RELIABLE,DURABLE, AND MODEST. WITH HALF WAY DECENT PLAY CALLING YOU WOULD SEE WHAT THE DIV. 1 SCOUTS ARE ALREADY SEEING. EVERY 1ST PLAY OF THE GAME IS LANGSTON JACKSON UP THE MIDDLE. EVERY COACH IN THE MARAMONTE LEAGUE KNOWS HOW TO DEFENSE THE SIMI OFFENSIVE CALLS. 8 IN THE BOX. WHEN THE PLAY CALLING ADJUSTS YOU WILL SEE.
Awsonimity
Posted: 10/15/2007 8:57 PM
Hey Homer
Royal is a decent?? They came within a minute of beating your exalted warriors last week. You're going to have bigger things to worry about than the big TO game if you look past simi. Especially after the way Royal moved the ball up and down the field last week against you. Cooper is going to have to have a great night if the defense can't stop Jackson. And youre right, the westlake-TO game will be a big one, but it won't be for the league title.

WestlakeHomer
Posted: 10/16/2007 5:39 AM
Re: Hey Homer
No worry my friend. Westlake will not look past Simi. This game should be very close and if the Warriors don't put up 20 points or so then look out. Simi has one of the best defenses in the League. Also Langston Jackson could have a huge game. Looking forward to seeing Simi's new field this Friday. and enjoying a very good game
October 11, 2007
Other local football matchups Newbury Park (5-0)
JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers TRAP PLAY- Newbury Park defenders Ron Tatham, left, and Connor Saucier, right, converge on Westlake's Cooper Shockley. The Panthers won the game, 27-13, to remain undefeated at 5-0. at Agoura (3-2)
Outlook: This could be a high-scoring affair.
After getting run over by Thousand Oaks in Week 4, Agoura's defense stepped up and limited Simi Valley's Langston Jackson to 53 yards on 14 carries during last weekend's victory.
As a team, Simi Valley only managed 31 total rushing yards vs. Agoura. This Friday, AHS will have to deal with Newbury Park junior Chris Brown, who logged 253 all purpose yards during the Panthers' win against Westlake.
If Agoura stops Brown, NPHS can turn to senior quarterback Colby Cameron to carry the offensive load. Cameron has thrown 10 touchdowns this season. Grace Brethren (3-2) at Oak Park (3-2)
Week Six's "Stars Of Friday Night"

By Brandon Huffman
Publisher/GoldenStatePreps.com Posted Oct 17, 2007
Week five of the prep football season in California saw several Golden State gridiron greats have fine performances. Here are week six's "Stars of Friday Night," GoldenStatePreps.com's weekly look at the California high school football standouts...
Langston Jackson ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns to lead Simi Valley to a 21-0 shutout victory over Calabasas in a Marmonte League game on Friday night.





Varsity Times Insider

Westlake (3-3, 2-1) at Simi Valley (4-2, 2-1), 7 p.m. -- Another one of those critical Marmonte League showdowns. I'll give the Warriors the edge in this one, though, because they hung tough with Newbury Park a couple weeks ago. Although, I hope the defense, for its sake, learned from the Chris Brown incident; otherwise, Pioneer pusher Langston Jackson will make them pay.
My prediction: Westlake 24, Simi Valley 17 Calpreps.com: Simi Valley 21, Westlake 19






Westlake's Owens spreads the wealth
By Loren Ledin Saturday, October 20, 2007

If this keeps up, Nick Owens will play under the radar no longer.
The Westlake High senior quarterback did his best Joe Montana impression Friday night, spreading the ball around, throwing for 314 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing for two more scores in a 31-14 victory over host Simi Valley High.
The first-year starter hasn't been routinely included among the region's top quarterbacks, but he played like one in lifting the defending league champion Warriors to 3-1 in the Marmonte League and 4-3 overall. Simi Valley, with running back Langston Jackson limited to 45 yards on 15 carries, fell to 2-2 and 4-3.
Owens completed 23 of 36 passes, including touchdowns of 9 and 7 yards to top target Curtis Peterson, and did not throw an interception.
"How hot was he?" marveled Simi Valley coach Todd Borowski. "Everything he threw was right on the money."
Westlake coach Jim Benkert was also impressed.
"He's taking totally positive steps each week," Benkert said. "The more we release the reins to him, the more he seems to take over."
Owens, for his part, passed the credit to his teammates.
"The receivers were great, getting open on every play," he said. "The offensive line blocked great and gave me all the time I needed. I'm really feeling more comfortable every week, and trying to help this team any way I can."
Peterson grabbed 10 pass receptions for 131 yards, while Steve Hagy had six catches for 84 yards and James DeLa Cerna caught six passes for 63 yards.
With Westlake battling injuries on its offensive line, Benkert said the game plan leaned on quick passes.
"We felt like we needed to open it up and widen the field," said Benker. "(Owens) did a great job of finding the open receiver."
Owens threw for 183 yards in the first half, directing the Warriors to three scores and a 17-7 lead at halftime. His 7-yard connection with Peterson came with 2:15 left in the second quarter.
Following an interception of Simi Valley quarterback Jared Zahorik by Devin Talevera on the opening series of the third period, Owens and company captitalized.
The Warriors drove 40 yards in five plays, capped by Owens' 9-yard toss to Peterson.
Owens' 5-yard touchdown run at the top of the fourth period ended a seven-play, 72-yard drive and gave Westlake a 31-7 lead.
Zahorik completed 7 of 17 passes for 176 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown pass to Keith Williams with 10:52 left in the final period.





VENTURA COUNTY SOUTHERN SECTION ROUNDUP
Westlake wins, as Owens gets 4 TDs
Daily NewsInside SOCAL
Article Last Updated:10/20/2007 12:24:24 AM PDT



Quarterback Nick Owens threw two touchdowns and rushed for two more to lead Westlake to a 31-14 Marmonte League victory against host Simi Valley.
Owens' 6-yard touchdown run capped a 10-play, 83-yard scoring drive on the Warriors' second possession of the game. Owens added another 6-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
After Jordan Mannisto gave Westlake (4-3, 3-1) a 10-0 lead on a 27-yard field goal, Simi Valley (4-3, 2-2) scored on a 1-yard touchdown by Langston Jackson to cut the deficit to 10-7 with 4:47 remaining in the second quarter.
Jackson ran for 39 yards on 14 carries and caught two passes for 44 yards for the Pioneers.
Curtis Peterson scored on a 7-yard pass from Owens on the next possession to give Westlake a 17-7 lead at halftime. Peterson added a 9-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. He finished with 10 catches for 131 yards.
"My recievers Peterson, (James) Delacerna and (Steve) Hagy were just awesome at getting open all night long," said Owens, who completed 23 of 35 passes for 286yards. "And my offensive line did a great job giving me enough time to pass the ball and get comfortable each week with this offense."
- George Vranau


Westlake 31, Simi Valley 14: The Westlake senior quarterback Nick Owens did his best Joe Montana impression, spreading the ball around, throwing for 314 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing for two more scores in the Marmonte League victory at Simi Valley.
The first-year starter hasn't been routinely included among the region's top quarterbacks, but he played like one in lifting the defending league champion Warriors to 3-1 in the Marmonte League and 4-3 overall. Simi Valley, with running back Langston Jackson limited to 45 yards on 15 carries, fell to 2-2 and 4-3.
Owens completed 23 of 36 passes, including touchdowns of 9 and 7 yards to top target Curtis Peterson, and did not throw an interception.




The Star's rankings
1. St. Bonaventure (5-1)
Comment: Casey Serna graded well in first full game as QB.
Next game: Friday vs. Santa Barbara.
2. Newbury Park (6-0)
Comment: WR Phillip Muscarella averages 17.4 yards per catch.
Next game: Friday at Calabasas.
3. Oaks Christian (4-2)
Comment: Lions ranked No. 2 in Division III bowl game poll.
Next game: Friday vs. Oak Park.
4. Oxnard (4-2)
Comment: Oxnard overcame 4 turnovers in league opener.
Next game: Friday at Rio Mesa.
5. Camarillo (4-2)
Comment: Scorpions recorded seven sacks last week.
Next game: Friday at Hueneme.
6. Moorpark (4-2)
Comment: Moorpark shut down strong T.O. running game.
Next game: Friday vs. Calabasas.
7. Thousand Oaks (3-3)
Comment: RB John Lister has returned to the backfield.
Next game: Friday at Royal.
8. Oak Park (4-2)
Comment: Defense allowed only 85 net yards last week.
Next game: Friday at Oaks Christian.
9. Westlake (3-3)
Comment: Nick Owens has only 1 INT in 242 pass attempts.
Next game: Friday at Simi Valley.
10. Simi Valley (4-2)
Comment: Pioneers held Calabasas to 105 total yards.
Next game: Friday vs. Westlake