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Nelson Runs Simi Past Ventura, 17-6

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Times Staff Writer

Before Simi Valley High’s opening game against Ventura, Pioneer Coach Dave Murphy said that he had no idea what to expect from his team. He went on about the Pioneer’s inexperience. He had a new quarterback and a young defense. But he conceded that he had a few good athletes.

Indeed. Murphy’s untested Pioneers played well defensively and well enough on offense to beat Ventura, 17-6, Friday night at Larrabee Stadium.

Simi Valley was led by M.J. Nelson, a senior halfback who rushed for 119 yards on 16 carries. Nelson broke open a 10-6 game with a 50-yard touchdown run with 2:51 remaining.

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“M.J. is a fine athlete,” Murphy said. “And we played solid defense.”

The Pioneers’ were aided by Ventura turnovers. Their first score, first-quarter 31-yard field goal by Andrew Mazzare, was set up when the Cougars fumbled on their own 37.

The half ended with Simi Valley ahead, 3-0.

The Cougars fought back to tie the game, after tailback Eric Turner hauled in a pass from quarterback Tim Garcia for a 58-yard gain to the eight. Simi Valley’s defense stiffened, however, and Ventura settled for a 22-yard field goal by Joe Trotsky.

On the ensuing kickoff, Pioneer David Barrow returned a short kick to the Cougar 45. On a critical fourth-and-two, junior quarterback Mark Bustamonte hit tightend Keith Holts over the middle. Holts rambled into the endzone after a key downfield block by wide receiver Robert Lujan. Mazzare’s point after made the score, 10-3.

The Pioneers could have iced the game, but a fumble by Scott Fisher ended a drive at the 27 just before the end of the third quarter.

After the fumble, Ventura drove 66 yards to the Pioneer 7. Once again, Simi Valley’s young defense held the Cougars to a Trotsky 29-yard field goal.

After Nelson’s long touchdown run which gave Simi Valley a 17-6 lead, he then intercepted a Ventura pass to end the game.

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After the game, Ventura Coach Harvey Kochel said with a sigh, “We need to eliminate our turnovers and iron out our mistakes.” Simi Valley’s defense held star running back Eric Turner of Ventura to only 76 yards on 19 carries and caused Turner to fumble twice.

The Pioneers also shut down Cougar quarterback Tim Garcia. He completed only three of nine passes for 107 yards and was intercepted twice. Bustamonte completed 7 of 13 passes for 97 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

Pioneers’ captain Scott Fisher suffered a broken ankle and is probably out for the season.

“They were tough defensively,” said Turner, “and we’re young on offense. But we’ll get it together.”

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