He’d rather be playing than recovering press passes

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I’ve gotta say I was pretty impressed by the way the Newbury Park defense played last night in its 27-13 victory over Westlake, but the biggest stop of the evening (at least in my book) happened on the sidelines before the game.

After chattin’ it up with couple players on the Newbury Park sideline, I made my way to the West end zone to have a talk with Coach George Hurley. And it was during that trek when I noticed my CIF press pass, which usually hangs reliably around my neck attached to my Los Angeles Kings lanyard, was missing.

I frantically looked around and tried to retrace my steps, but I couldn’t see it anywhere on the turf.

Then, about 30 yards down field, I saw injured Panthers’ lineman Tyler Miles hobbling toward me as quick as his recovering MCL could carry him, holding up my press pass in the air. It must have blown off my lanyard in the near Hurricane-like winds.

I thanked Miles for his quick response, but I could tell he’d rather be playing than picking up wind-blown press passes as his torn MCL heals.

‘It really sucks just to sit here and watch,’ said Miles, who tore his MCL against Oak Park a couple weeks ago.

Miles is hopeful he can return by the playoffs. Of course, it’s still going to be a long, tough season for him -- just like it is for any injured athlete.

I want to say thanks one more time for Miles’ heads-up play on the sidelines.

- Austin Knoblauch