Camarillo Hurt by Full Nelson

Throw away the history books. Forget about nightmares and seasons past.

Simi Valley High, which has never won a Marmonte League championship and has generally played the role of league doormat, is rolling through its 1985 schedule.

The Pioneers’ 28-14 win Friday night over Camarillo improved their record to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in league. The start is their best since they began the 1975 season with a 4-1 record.

It was only Simi’s third win over the Scorpions in the last 16 years.

“This team isn’t worried about past history,” Simi Valley Coach Dave Murphy said. “This is a very good football team.”

It didn’t take the Pioneers very long to convince Camarillo (1-5 overall, 0-2 in league).

On Simi’s first play from scrimmage, the Pioneers went to M. J. Nelson, which is understandable, considering Nelson’s potential to break the big play at any time.

It was a good move. Quarterback Mark Bustamante hit Nelson with a pass that went for a 68-yard touchdown, and Simi Valley enjoyed a 7-0 lead before many of the spectators had even found their seats.

Nelson, a 5-10, 155-pound senior tailback, also returned the second-half kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown that gave the Pioneers a 28-7 lead and rushed for 62 yards on 17 carries.

Of Nelson’s 23 career touchdowns, 16 have measured 50 yards or more. He now has seven touchdowns for the season and 643 yards rushing on 103 carries. He entered the game as the Valley area’s leading rusher.

“He’s just a super back,” Murphy said. “And he’s going to make an excellent college running back.”

Nelson, who also plays defensive back, intercepted a third-quarter pass by quarterback Nick Riendeau at his own goal-line.

Nelson, however, wasn’t the only Pioneer coming up with the big plays.

Sophomore linebacker Tippy Wilcox intercepted a Riendeau pass and returned it 70 yards for a second-quarter touchdown that gave Simi Valley the lead for good, 14-7.

Senior tight end Keith Holts also got in on the action, scoring on a 59-yard pass from Bustamante.