Football: Oxnard is channeling greatness
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There’s a juggernaut beating Channel League teams senseless. And no, it’s not St. Bonaventure.
Oxnard has given up only 24 points in its last six games and routed four Channel League opponents by a combined score of 153-38 during nonleague play. In two Pacific View League games, the Yellowjackets have won by a cumulative score of 90-0.
‘Last year we led Ventura County in defense, and we’re better than last year,’ Coach Mark Beckham said.
Oxnard (7-0, 2-0) features seven three-year starters, all of whom Beckham said could sign with Division I or Division II colleges. Quarterback Dasmen Stewart, who has committed to San Jose State, rushed for 142 yards last week during the Yellowjackets’ 41-0 victory over Hueneme.
Stewart directs Oxnard’s option attack and doesn’t have gaudy passing statistics only because the Yellowjackets are winning games so easily there’s not much need to keep throwing the ball. Receiver Jamal Smith has committed to Utah and tailback Sam McCowan is being recruited by San Jose State and Fresno State.
Beckham disagrees with the assertion that his team, unranked in the Southland by The Times, plays a weak schedule.
‘I don’t pad the schedule and say, ‘I’m picking an easy schedule,’ ‘ Beckham said, noting that the Yellowjackets used to play Valencia every year until 2004. ‘In our division, all the leagues and teams are pretty good.’
Should Oxnard win its final three regular-season games, Beckham said he believes it should secure a top-four seeding in the Northern Division playoffs.
The Yellowjackets play host to Rio Mesa (0-7, 0-2) on Friday and could conclude the regular season Nov. 14 with a showdown against Oxnard Pacifica (6-1, 2-0) for the Pacific View League title.
Oxnard knows all too well that regular-season success guarantees nothing in the playoffs; the Yellowjackets lost to Valencia in the first round last year after winning their final eight regular-season games.
Beckham hopes this year is different.
‘I think we can play with anybody,’ he said.
--Ben Bolch