"WHO OWNS THE TOWN????"
LAST STAND, NO PLAYOFF, JUST A RIVAL...
Friday, November 9, 2007
The Deuce has been coughing and sneezing all week.
You know the feeling.
It's like you're stuck in third place in your league and are fixing to be giftwrapped by some football playoff selection committee to be handed over as a first-round opponent to the winner of tonight's Foothill League showdown between Hart and Saugus.
Sniffle.
Somebody has to be a lower-rated third-place team, you hope.
Sniffle.
This has been one big third-place season for the Deuce. He's sitting on his worst winning percentage — this late in the season — since beginning his picks. Down, but not out.
In fact, the Deuce is absolutely pumped about the playoffs.
Bring it on, baby.
Last week: 1. Season: 97-44, .688.
Westlake 23, Moorpark 17: After rough first half of the season, Westlake is closing fast and hard. Moorpark has been at its best against the toughest opponents.
Agoura 27, Calabasas 13: Agoura still has an outside chance of squeezing into the playoffs as the Marmonte League's No. 4 seed. Cameron Ventura had season-best 176 yards rushing last week for Calabasas.
Newbury Park 34, Thousand Oaks 24: Win would give Newbury Park the prized No. 1 playoff seeding from the Marmonte League. Thousand Oaks' last three games have been decided by 16 points.
Simi Valley 22, Royal 17: Rivalry game features two of the league's best RBs — Langston Jackson of Simi Valley and Derek Morris of Royal.
Ventura 30, San Marcos 16: Ventura has scored more points (67) in its last two games than it did in the first six (52). San Marcos is looking to get into the win column.
St. Bonaventure 34, Buena 20: St. Bonaventure could be completely healthy for the first time this season. Buena was 10 points away from being a playoff team.
Camarillo 29, Rio Mesa 17: Coming off its best overall game of the season, Rio Mesa runs smack into a Camarillo team that is driven to close out the regular season with the Pacific View League's No. 2 seeding in its back pocket.
Oxnard 35, Pacifica 21: Oxnard has quickly moved up the Northern Division rankings ladder. Will eight straight wins be enough to ensure a top-four seeding?
Hueneme 24, Channel Islands 10: This is an important game for Hueneme, looking to put to rest a five-game losing streak. Channel Islands has struggled to find the end zone.
Santa Clara 27, Villanova 13: With the carrot of a No. 2 Mid-Valley Division seeding dangling above its head, Santa Clara looks to close out the regular season strong before a homecoming crowd.
Oaks Christian 28, Santa Paula 14: Just in time for the playoffs, Oaks Christian is picking up steam. Santa Paula's Quinn Pawlick has rushed for 167 yards in his last two games.
Oak Park 35, Carpinteria 28: Oak Park has scored 20 or more points in every game this season. The Eagles may need 30 against a Carpinteria team that has averaged 33 points over its last three games.
Nordhoff 27, Grace Brethren 14: If Grace Brethren QB Kevin Ramay has time to throw, this could be closer game. Nordhoff's time-eating running game could give Grace Brethren few opportunities to wing it.
Bishop Diego 29, Fillmore 17: Bishop Diego, which was the Mid-Valley Division's No. 1-ranked team early in the season, is making its last pitch for a playoff seeding.
— The Deuce may be reached at deads@VenturaCountyStar.com
2007 Ventura County Star
LAST STAND, NO PLAYOFF, JUST A RIVAL...ALL YOU HAVE TO GAIN IS PRIDE!!!
Based on the recent performance of both teams, MaxPreps predicts on: 11/9/2007
Simi Valley will beat Royal with a final score of 21 - 20.
All-Marmonte Teams
YouShouldHaveThatLookedAt
Posted: 11/07/2007 4:16 PM
All-Marmonte Teams
Here is my dream team offense. Considering there are four juniors here along with many other talented offensive players returning next year (Lister, Edmondson, Dowling, Lilley, Garner, Shultis, Conlin, Shubert/Blechen, Zahorik, Cooper, Dempster, many many O-Linemen ) I would expect Marmonte offenses to light it up again in 2008.
YouShouldHaveThatLookedAt
Posted: 11/07/2007 4:16 PM
All-Marmonte Teams
Here is my dream team offense. Considering there are four juniors here along with many other talented offensive players returning next year (Lister, Edmondson, Dowling, Lilley, Garner, Shultis, Conlin, Shubert/Blechen, Zahorik, Cooper, Dempster, many many O-Linemen ) I would expect Marmonte offenses to light it up again in 2008.
QB - Doug Shumway - Agoura #4 (Sr.)
TB - Chris Brown - Newbury Park #8 (Jr.)
FB - Langston Jackson - Simi Valley #4 (Sr.)
WR - Curtis Peterson - Westlake #20 (Sr.)
WR - Keith Williams - Simi Valley #8 (Jr.)
TE - Scott Luft - Thousand Oaks #9 (Sr.)
OL - Kevin Graf - Agoura #76 (Jr.)
OL - Jack Knauer - Newbury Park #65 (Sr.)
OL - Clint Abraham - Thousand Oaks #74 (Sr.)
OL - Austin Champlain - Agoura #74 (Sr.)
OL - Scott Holty - Royal #64 (Jr.)
Deuce's picks: Good predictions can cure a lot of ills TB - Chris Brown - Newbury Park #8 (Jr.)
FB - Langston Jackson - Simi Valley #4 (Sr.)
WR - Curtis Peterson - Westlake #20 (Sr.)
WR - Keith Williams - Simi Valley #8 (Jr.)
TE - Scott Luft - Thousand Oaks #9 (Sr.)
OL - Kevin Graf - Agoura #76 (Jr.)
OL - Jack Knauer - Newbury Park #65 (Sr.)
OL - Clint Abraham - Thousand Oaks #74 (Sr.)
OL - Austin Champlain - Agoura #74 (Sr.)
OL - Scott Holty - Royal #64 (Jr.)
Friday, November 9, 2007
The Deuce has been coughing and sneezing all week.
You know the feeling.
It's like you're stuck in third place in your league and are fixing to be giftwrapped by some football playoff selection committee to be handed over as a first-round opponent to the winner of tonight's Foothill League showdown between Hart and Saugus.
Sniffle.
Somebody has to be a lower-rated third-place team, you hope.
Sniffle.
This has been one big third-place season for the Deuce. He's sitting on his worst winning percentage — this late in the season — since beginning his picks. Down, but not out.
In fact, the Deuce is absolutely pumped about the playoffs.
Bring it on, baby.
Last week: 1. Season: 97-44, .688.
Westlake 23, Moorpark 17: After rough first half of the season, Westlake is closing fast and hard. Moorpark has been at its best against the toughest opponents.
Agoura 27, Calabasas 13: Agoura still has an outside chance of squeezing into the playoffs as the Marmonte League's No. 4 seed. Cameron Ventura had season-best 176 yards rushing last week for Calabasas.
Newbury Park 34, Thousand Oaks 24: Win would give Newbury Park the prized No. 1 playoff seeding from the Marmonte League. Thousand Oaks' last three games have been decided by 16 points.
Simi Valley 22, Royal 17: Rivalry game features two of the league's best RBs — Langston Jackson of Simi Valley and Derek Morris of Royal.
Ventura 30, San Marcos 16: Ventura has scored more points (67) in its last two games than it did in the first six (52). San Marcos is looking to get into the win column.
St. Bonaventure 34, Buena 20: St. Bonaventure could be completely healthy for the first time this season. Buena was 10 points away from being a playoff team.
Camarillo 29, Rio Mesa 17: Coming off its best overall game of the season, Rio Mesa runs smack into a Camarillo team that is driven to close out the regular season with the Pacific View League's No. 2 seeding in its back pocket.
Oxnard 35, Pacifica 21: Oxnard has quickly moved up the Northern Division rankings ladder. Will eight straight wins be enough to ensure a top-four seeding?
Hueneme 24, Channel Islands 10: This is an important game for Hueneme, looking to put to rest a five-game losing streak. Channel Islands has struggled to find the end zone.
Santa Clara 27, Villanova 13: With the carrot of a No. 2 Mid-Valley Division seeding dangling above its head, Santa Clara looks to close out the regular season strong before a homecoming crowd.
Oaks Christian 28, Santa Paula 14: Just in time for the playoffs, Oaks Christian is picking up steam. Santa Paula's Quinn Pawlick has rushed for 167 yards in his last two games.
Oak Park 35, Carpinteria 28: Oak Park has scored 20 or more points in every game this season. The Eagles may need 30 against a Carpinteria team that has averaged 33 points over its last three games.
Nordhoff 27, Grace Brethren 14: If Grace Brethren QB Kevin Ramay has time to throw, this could be closer game. Nordhoff's time-eating running game could give Grace Brethren few opportunities to wing it.
Bishop Diego 29, Fillmore 17: Bishop Diego, which was the Mid-Valley Division's No. 1-ranked team early in the season, is making its last pitch for a playoff seeding.
— The Deuce may be reached at deads@VenturaCountyStar.com
2007 Ventura County Star
the805
Posted: 11/07/2007 8:27 AM
Marmonte Week 10
Big games with big playoff implications, should be a fun week. Here's my picks:Westlake 28 Moorpark 27 NP 31 TO 24 Simi 24 Royal 14 Agoura 35 Calabasas 6 Good luck to the coin flippers from Moorpark, TO and Agoura!! 
WestlakeHomer
Posted: 11/07/2007 9:52 PM
Re: Marmonte Week 10
Your picks look good to me. Can we say the upsets could come from Royal or T.O.
the805
Posted: 11/08/2007 8:13 AM
Re: Marmonte Week 10
I don't think Royal can beat Simi and I think NP will be fired up to win the league title. Agoura will not struggle to beat Calabasas this year.Westlake-Moorpark is the game to watch this week.
YouShouldHaveThatLookedAt 
Posted: 11/08/2007 9:19 AM
Re: Marmonte Week 10
Royal can beat Simi. The Pioneers will have problems containing Royal's running game. This one will go down to the wire just like it does about every year.
Morris, Royal give it their best in end
By Loren Ledin Saturday, November 10, 2007
At season's end, Derek Morris could finally celebrate.
With the victory over crosstown rival Simi Valley completed, brandishing the trophy emblematic of the rivalry series, Royal High's senior running back smiled as he was embraced by teammate Justin Broome.
"This is the best running back in Ventura County," proclaimed Broome as the duo stood near midfield at the Royal High stadium. "He's the best."Maybe, maybe not. But Morris belongs among the best, and proved it by leading the Highlanders to a 28-21 victory over neighborhood rival Simi Valley on Friday night. Morris rushed for 184 yards on 27 carries, including touchdowns of 14 and 2 yards, as Royal found satisfaction at the end of a frustrating season by rallying past the Pioneers. The Highlanders finish their season 2-5 in the Marmonte League and 3-7 overall. Simi Valley, despite a combined 179 rushing yards from Tommy Dowling and Langston Jackson, ends at 2-5 in league and 4-6 overall.
Morris said the victory felt like a playoff win."It has been frustrating, but the rest of the season doesn't mean crap if you don't beat Simi Valley," he said. "We believe we're a good team, a lot better than what our record shows. Things just haven't gone our way. Tonight we got it done."
Royal coach Gene Uebelhardt agreed. "We've been playing better," he said. "The last couple weeks, we have played well and this was our best game of the season. With Derek, you expect a game like that. The great thing was the way our defense played tonight. We made plays when we had to."
The victory was the fourth in a row for Royal in the rivalry series, and victory No. 10 in the last 12 games. Locked in a 14-14 tie at halftime, Royal took control in the third period.
Morris broke off a 41-yard run on the very first play from scrimmage, then finished off a four-play, 84-yard march by scoring from 14 yards out. With 10:43 left in the third period, Royal led 21-14. Just three plays later, Royal's Michael Leipzig intercepted a pass from Simi Valley quarterback Jared Zahorik, who was pounded by Nick Zortea just as he released the ball.
On Royal's next play, quarterback Trevor Shubert connected with Ron Murphy on a 20-yard scoring pass that upped the lead to 28-14.
"We just killed ourselves by making mistakes," said Simi Valley coach Todd Borowski. "We knew Royal was a good team. We knew it would be this kind of game. "Until we stop shooting ourselves in the foot, it's going to be hard for us to win games like this." Simi Valley closed the gap later in the period by driving 80 yards in nine plays, aided by Jackson's 22-yard completion to Denny Vigo on a fake punt.
Dowling's 10-yard touchdown run with 2:09 left in the quarter dropped the deficit to 28-21.
Simi Valley ended up with three possessions in the final period, but couldn't get the equalizer.
A sack by safety Jake Rollins on Simi Valley's final opportunity sealed the victory. Shubert completed 10 of 18 passes for 159 yards. For Simi Valley, Dowling rushed for 101 yards on 17 carries, while Jackson had 78 yards on 23 carries.
2007 Ventura County Star
