Last Year 09/29/06 Simi Valley 19, Agoura (CA) 28 
Last season's results: (Tied for 4th in Marmonte, 6-4 overall) Agoura began the 2006 season by winning its first
five games, including road wins at Simi Valley and Newbury Park. In the second half of the year, however, the Chargers fell apart by losing their next four games, three of them at home and two games by only three points each. 
Notable returnees: Doug Shumway, sr., QB (121 completions for 1,429 yards, 11 TDs, 5 INTs); Adam Azoff, sr., LB/RB (19 tackles); Kevin Graf, jr., OL/ DL; Matt McGinnis, sr., RB/LB (74 tackles, 1 INT); Patrick Rohn, sr., WR/ DB (25 tackles, 2 INTs)
Impact newcomer: Sam Bradley, soph., RB Who they play: After opening the season at home vs. Ventura (Sept. 7), the Chargers play three consecutive contests on the road, including a tough Marmonte League opener against Thousand Oaks (Sept. 28). Agoura will then return to play four of its next six games at home, including big showdowns against Simi Valley (Oct. 5), Newbury Park (Oct. 12) and Moorpark (Oct. 19). 
Overview: With a returning senior quarterback and an experienced offensive line, Agoura may contain one of the more explosive offenses in the league. In his junior year, Shumway averaged 158.8 yards passing per game and proved to be a tough customer in the pocket.
With players like Graf, James Barmasse, Nick Rubin and Chris Lees returning on the offensive line, look for Shumway to improve his numbers. Shumway will be throwing to receivers such as Rohn, senior Nick Haraden, junior Kevin Hansen and senior Sean McNamara.
The Chargers lost running back Matt Bradley to graduation but gained his younger brother, Sam. According to head coach Charlie Wegher, the younger Bradley isn't as hard nosed of a running back as Matt Bradley was, but Sam is a better receiver coming out of the backfield.
The key to the team's success will be its defense. Azoff, McNamara, Rohn and McGinnis are all proven varsity players, but the Chargers need help from new linebackers Ali Rubinstein and David Claxton if they want to slow down opposing offenses that will be looking to match the AHS offense point for point.
In a nutshell: The Chargers must play an entire season the way they've played the first half of the last two campaigns. For that to happen, Wegher said AHS must win the turnover battle. The Chargers have won 34 of their last 38 games when they've had more takeaways than giveaways.
Gittelson's PREP FOOTBALL stuff
BY GERRY GITTELSON Staff Writer
DAILY NEWS PREP FOOTBALL TOP 20
Last season's results: (Tied for 4th in Marmonte, 6-4 overall) Agoura began the 2006 season by winning its first
five games, including road wins at Simi Valley and Newbury Park. In the second half of the year, however, the Chargers fell apart by losing their next four games, three of them at home and two games by only three points each. 
Notable returnees: Doug Shumway, sr., QB (121 completions for 1,429 yards, 11 TDs, 5 INTs); Adam Azoff, sr., LB/RB (19 tackles); Kevin Graf, jr., OL/ DL; Matt McGinnis, sr., RB/LB (74 tackles, 1 INT); Patrick Rohn, sr., WR/ DB (25 tackles, 2 INTs)
Impact newcomer: Sam Bradley, soph., RB Who they play: After opening the season at home vs. Ventura (Sept. 7), the Chargers play three consecutive contests on the road, including a tough Marmonte League opener against Thousand Oaks (Sept. 28). Agoura will then return to play four of its next six games at home, including big showdowns against Simi Valley (Oct. 5), Newbury Park (Oct. 12) and Moorpark (Oct. 19). 
Overview: With a returning senior quarterback and an experienced offensive line, Agoura may contain one of the more explosive offenses in the league. In his junior year, Shumway averaged 158.8 yards passing per game and proved to be a tough customer in the pocket.
With players like Graf, James Barmasse, Nick Rubin and Chris Lees returning on the offensive line, look for Shumway to improve his numbers. Shumway will be throwing to receivers such as Rohn, senior Nick Haraden, junior Kevin Hansen and senior Sean McNamara.
The Chargers lost running back Matt Bradley to graduation but gained his younger brother, Sam. According to head coach Charlie Wegher, the younger Bradley isn't as hard nosed of a running back as Matt Bradley was, but Sam is a better receiver coming out of the backfield.
The key to the team's success will be its defense. Azoff, McNamara, Rohn and McGinnis are all proven varsity players, but the Chargers need help from new linebackers Ali Rubinstein and David Claxton if they want to slow down opposing offenses that will be looking to match the AHS offense point for point.
In a nutshell: The Chargers must play an entire season the way they've played the first half of the last two campaigns. For that to happen, Wegher said AHS must win the turnover battle. The Chargers have won 34 of their last 38 games when they've had more takeaways than giveaways.
Gittelson's PREP FOOTBALL stuffBY GERRY GITTELSON Staff Writer
DAILY NEWS PREP FOOTBALL TOP 20
1.Birmingham (4-1) – Would be a shock if Patriots lose another game
2. Hart (4-0) – Starters called it a night early in 2nd quarter vs. Claremont
4. Notre Dame (3-1) – Showed heart in comeback win over Saugus
5. Oaks Christian (2-2) – Talented but must keep intensity for whole game
6. Saugus (3-1) – No opposing RB has surpassed 100 yards
7. Chaminade (4-0) – Why play overmatched ECR this week?
8. Newbury Park (4-0) – Key Marmonte League showdown vs. Westlake
9. Palmdale (3-1) – Should not lose another regular-season game
10. Westlake (2-2) – Registered two safeties in win over Calabasas
11. Valencia (2-2) – Last year’s two-win season a distant memory
12. Alemany (3-1) – But can the Warriors defeat a good team?
13. St. Francis (3-1) – On a roll after third victory in a row
14. Canyon (1-3) – Cowboys need to wake up or it could be a long year
15. Oak Park (3-1) – Another step-up game vs. Camarillo this week
16. Thousand Oaks (2-2) – Lancers on comeback trail with two wins in row
17. Harvard Westlake (3-1) – Loss to City power Carson should evoke toughness
18. Loyola (2-2) – No shame in loss to powerful Dominguez
19. Simi Valley (3-1) – Yet to allow more than two TDs in one game
Gotta love YouTube
I've been getting a few e-mails with links to highlight videos that've been posted on YouTube. Tonight's video comes from Simi Valley, where running back Langston Hughes has developed into one of the toughest runners in Ventura County.
Posted by Ramona Shelburne on September 28, 2007 01:39 AM
Simi Valley 14 Moorpark 6 Another surprise, but when you have a game-breaker like RB Langston Jackson on your side, anything is possible. It seems that the Musketeers are going to have to post an upset of their own (like beating Newbury Park or Westlake) if they're going to be a postseason contender. See what the Ventura County Star had to say about this one.
Simi inspiration: Told they were underdogs against a program the school had not beaten since 1996, Simi Valley football players found inspiration in a pregame talk last Friday.
Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Tutino and his sister, Jill, dedicated a flag that had been flown at the U.S. Capitol building in memory of their brother, Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Jim Tutino, who was killed in a 2005 Metrolink crash.
Jim Tutino had been an assistant football coach at Simi Valley for five years.
"Jim dedicated countless hours to his profession," said Jill Tutino, "but his true love was coaching kids. Jim taught the kids more than just football; he inspired them to live life the fullest."
After Jill spoke to the team about proving prognosticators wrong, players tapped the flag above the door in the locker room and pulled off a 14-6 win.
The Tutino family has handed out 12 scholarship awards through a fund in Jim's honor. For further information about the scholarship fund or an annual fundraiser on Oct. 13, log onto http://www.jimtutino.com/.
Based on the recent performance of both teams, MaxPreps predicts on: 10/5/2007
Simi Valley will beat Agoura Agoura 21, Simi Valley 17:
Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Tutino and his sister, Jill, dedicated a flag that had been flown at the U.S. Capitol building in memory of their brother, Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Jim Tutino, who was killed in a 2005 Metrolink crash.
Jim Tutino had been an assistant football coach at Simi Valley for five years.
"Jim dedicated countless hours to his profession," said Jill Tutino, "but his true love was coaching kids. Jim taught the kids more than just football; he inspired them to live life the fullest."
After Jill spoke to the team about proving prognosticators wrong, players tapped the flag above the door in the locker room and pulled off a 14-6 win.
The Tutino family has handed out 12 scholarship awards through a fund in Jim's honor. For further information about the scholarship fund or an annual fundraiser on Oct. 13, log onto http://www.jimtutino.com/.
Based on the recent performance of both teams, MaxPreps predicts on: 10/5/2007Simi Valley will beat Agoura Agoura 21, Simi Valley 17:
Is this a magical season for Simi Valley? Can the Pioneers knock off a Marmonte League contender for the second week in a row? Yes they can. But the Deuce sees Agoura's running game taking control of this game.
The Deuce may be reached at deads@VenturaCountyStar.com.
The Deuce may be reached at deads@VenturaCountyStar.com.
Simi Valley (3-1) at Agoura (2-2)
Outlook: Simi Valley came up huge at home last week, defeating Moorpark 14-6 behind the strength of its impressive defense. The Pioneers kept Moorpark's offense out of the end zone- MHS scored a defensive touchdown- and will be ready to go against the Chargers, 37-26 losers to Thousand Oaks in their league opener.
Although Thousand Oaks standout running back John Lister left last week's game with an injury, Agoura still allowed TOHS to rush for 249 yards as a team.
If the AHS rush defense doesn't improve this week, Simi Valley's Langston Jackson will have a field day. Jackson has rushed for 476 yards and six scores in four games.
Simi breaks through SVHS beats Moorpark for firstime since '96
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com
BRIAN MOUNT/Acorn Newspapers
BRIAN MOUNT/Acorn Newspapers
CARRYING THE LOAD- AJ Dettorre of Moorpark High latches onto Simi Valley's Tommy Dowling in an effort to slow down the running back during last Friday's homecoming game. Behind an outstanding defensive effort and just enough offense, the Pioneers got past Moorpark, 14-6. This was the type of statement game the Simi Valley High football program had been searching for.
With a 14-6 upset win over Moorpark last Friday night during homecoming, Simi Valley (31, 10) may have established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the race for a Marmonte League title. Thrilled with his team's play on both sides of the ball, Pioneer head coach Todd Borowski said beating Moorpark (22, 01)- the fourthranked team in the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division coaches' poll entering the game- was the biggest win in his three years with the SVHS program.
Simi Valley's 34-27 shocker over Canyon during the 2005-06 season had been Borowski's teams' crowning on-field achievement to date, but that was before Moorpark came to town.
"This is bigger than Canyon because it's a league game," Borowski said. "We haven't beat Moorpark in I don't know how long. We'd have to go back in the record book to find that out. "The league title goes through Moorpark. I'm not saying we're title contenders, but we're one step closer to the playoffs, a place we haven't been in about 25 years." Simi Valley, which hadn't beaten Moorpark since 1996, last made a postseason appearance during the 1986 season, and judging by the way the team has played defense during the first four games of the year- they've allowed the fewest points in the Marmonte- the Pioneers appear very capable of breaking the long playoff drought.
"Look at our stats; the defense comes to play every week," Borowski said.
Friday's game was scoreless in the first half. Moorpark nearly got on the board in the opening quarter when Adam Barry tried to score on a quarterback keeper on fourthandgoal play from the 3-yard line. SVHS defensive lineman Shawn Morrison made a tremendous effort to stop Barry and keep the Musketeers off the scoreboard. Midway through the second quarter, Simi Valley wide receiver Joey Bernardo caught a tipped pass in the end zone, but the apparent score was wiped out by a penalty.
The game-changing play may have occurred on the second half kickoff when Simi Valley's James Barona laid a crushing block on Moorpark's Garrett Meadows, setting off a wild display of emotion that reverberated from the Pioneers' sideline up into the stands.
"I saw him going to the right and totally set him up," Barona said.
"We came in as big underdogs and were going to have to be physical to win the game. A play like that helps set the tone."
Still, it was Moorpark that scored first when defensive back Tim Vizzi intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. A missed extra point kept the score at 6-0 in favor of the Musketeers.
After that it was all Simi Valley.
Pioneer cornerback Evan Green recovered a fumbled punt at the Moorpark 39 with 2:22 remaining in the third quarter. Less than three minutes later, on the first play of the fourth quarter, SVHS running back Langston Jackson scored on a 2yard touchdown plunge. David Castro's extra point made the score 7-6 Simi Valley.
With 5:05 remaining in the contest, after converting a crucial third down in Moorpark territory, Jackson went around the right side of the Pioneer offensive line, found the sideline and headed for paydirt.
Jackson's 21-yard score was his second of the game and sixth of the season. He finished with 125 yards on 30 attempts, with most of his damage done in the second half.
Down 14-6, MHS attempted a final drive, but the Pioneer defense held on a fourth-down play from their own 39. Jackson and the offense reentered and put the game away with a first-down conversion. "Langston Jackson was the man," said Pioneer quarterback Jared Zahorik, who finished with five completions for 89 yards.
"He doesn't get as much hype as he should, but Simi Valley High is a real football team, and Langston Jackson is a real football player." With last week's euphoria in the rearview mirror, the Pioneers face a stiff challenge when they travel to Agoura (2-2, 0-1) tonight for a 7 p.m. matchup. The Chargers are coming off a tough league-opening loss against Thousand Oaks.
"We can't focus on how well we played against Moorpark when we've got Agoura this week," Borowski said. "They're good, and they'll be ready for us. But the way we're playing, we're pretty good, too."
With a 14-6 upset win over Moorpark last Friday night during homecoming, Simi Valley (31, 10) may have established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the race for a Marmonte League title. Thrilled with his team's play on both sides of the ball, Pioneer head coach Todd Borowski said beating Moorpark (22, 01)- the fourthranked team in the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division coaches' poll entering the game- was the biggest win in his three years with the SVHS program.
Simi Valley's 34-27 shocker over Canyon during the 2005-06 season had been Borowski's teams' crowning on-field achievement to date, but that was before Moorpark came to town.
"This is bigger than Canyon because it's a league game," Borowski said. "We haven't beat Moorpark in I don't know how long. We'd have to go back in the record book to find that out. "The league title goes through Moorpark. I'm not saying we're title contenders, but we're one step closer to the playoffs, a place we haven't been in about 25 years." Simi Valley, which hadn't beaten Moorpark since 1996, last made a postseason appearance during the 1986 season, and judging by the way the team has played defense during the first four games of the year- they've allowed the fewest points in the Marmonte- the Pioneers appear very capable of breaking the long playoff drought.
"Look at our stats; the defense comes to play every week," Borowski said.
Friday's game was scoreless in the first half. Moorpark nearly got on the board in the opening quarter when Adam Barry tried to score on a quarterback keeper on fourthandgoal play from the 3-yard line. SVHS defensive lineman Shawn Morrison made a tremendous effort to stop Barry and keep the Musketeers off the scoreboard. Midway through the second quarter, Simi Valley wide receiver Joey Bernardo caught a tipped pass in the end zone, but the apparent score was wiped out by a penalty.
The game-changing play may have occurred on the second half kickoff when Simi Valley's James Barona laid a crushing block on Moorpark's Garrett Meadows, setting off a wild display of emotion that reverberated from the Pioneers' sideline up into the stands.
"I saw him going to the right and totally set him up," Barona said.
"We came in as big underdogs and were going to have to be physical to win the game. A play like that helps set the tone."
Still, it was Moorpark that scored first when defensive back Tim Vizzi intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. A missed extra point kept the score at 6-0 in favor of the Musketeers.
After that it was all Simi Valley.
Pioneer cornerback Evan Green recovered a fumbled punt at the Moorpark 39 with 2:22 remaining in the third quarter. Less than three minutes later, on the first play of the fourth quarter, SVHS running back Langston Jackson scored on a 2yard touchdown plunge. David Castro's extra point made the score 7-6 Simi Valley.
With 5:05 remaining in the contest, after converting a crucial third down in Moorpark territory, Jackson went around the right side of the Pioneer offensive line, found the sideline and headed for paydirt.
Jackson's 21-yard score was his second of the game and sixth of the season. He finished with 125 yards on 30 attempts, with most of his damage done in the second half.
Down 14-6, MHS attempted a final drive, but the Pioneer defense held on a fourth-down play from their own 39. Jackson and the offense reentered and put the game away with a first-down conversion. "Langston Jackson was the man," said Pioneer quarterback Jared Zahorik, who finished with five completions for 89 yards.
"He doesn't get as much hype as he should, but Simi Valley High is a real football team, and Langston Jackson is a real football player." With last week's euphoria in the rearview mirror, the Pioneers face a stiff challenge when they travel to Agoura (2-2, 0-1) tonight for a 7 p.m. matchup. The Chargers are coming off a tough league-opening loss against Thousand Oaks.
"We can't focus on how well we played against Moorpark when we've got Agoura this week," Borowski said. "They're good, and they'll be ready for us. But the way we're playing, we're pretty good, too."
Shumway shows Agoura the right way to a victory
BY KEVIN CONNELLY, Special to the Daily NewsInside SOCAL
Article Last Updated:10/06/2007 03:31:28 AM PDT
AGOURA HILLS - It has been difficult to determine which Agoura High football team will show up this season.
The same Chargers team that upset Rio Mesa of Oxnard this season has also given up 37 points in a losing effort against Thousand Oaks.
Doug Shumway took it upon himself to make sure Agoura would suffer no such setback Friday night, as the quarterback was 16-of-28 passing for a game-high 233 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Chargers to a 31-21 Marmonte League victory over visiting Simi Valley.
Shumway added 64 yards and a touchdown on the ground for Agoura (3-2, 1-1), while Nick Haraden caught seven passes for 86 yards and a touchdown and Patrick Rohn had two receptions for 92 yards and another score.
"We have been up and down as a team all season," Shumway said. "But we pulled it together and played mistake-free football. This was a huge win for us, because starting off 0-2 in the Marmonte League would have been almost impossible to come back from."
Jared Zahorik finished 16 of 27 for 192 yards and two touchdowns for Simi Valley (3-2, 1-1), which was coming off a 13-6 upset victory in last week's Marmonte League opener over Moorpark, last year's Southern Section Northern Division runner-up.
The Pioneers' ground game was held in check, as leading rusher Langston Jackson was limited to 41 yards on 14 carries.
"We got some players back from injuries (Friday), and it really made a difference on defense," Agoura coach Charlie Wegher said. "This game was a must-win for us to remain in the hunt for the league title."
The Pioneers scored four minutes into the game on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Zahorik to Keith Williams, but Agoura scored 24 unanswered points spanning the next 25 minutes.
Shumway connected with Haraden on a 14-yard touchdown to tie the score at 7-7 late in the first quarter.
Shumway found Rohn on Agoura's next possession on a 55-yard scoring strike. Eric Bailey's 34-yard field goal capped the first-half scoring.
Simi Valley cut a 17-point second-half deficit to 24-21 with 4:02 remaining on a 10-yard pass from Zahorik to Tommy Dowling, but Agoura immediately responded with a scoring drive completed by Shumway's 1-yard touchdown run to make it a two-possession game.
Copyright ©2007 Los Angeles Newspaper Group.
