Thousand Oaks Beaten as Two Conversion Tries Fall Short, 21-19

For three quarters Thursday night, Thousand Oaks High couldn’t buy a touchdown.

That’s news for a team that entered this week’s action ranked No. 4 in The Times’ Valley Top 10 poll.

Trailing, 21-0, to Channel Islands in the fourth quarter, however, the Lancers came alive with a furious comeback bid, but fell short to their Marmonte League rival, 21-19.

The difference proved to be Thousand Oaks’ inability to convert extra points.

After Keven Medeiros caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dan Nagelmann on the first play of the fourth period to cut the Channel Islands lead to 21-6, Thousand Oaks had its conversion attempt blocked by the Raider defense.

Later in the quarter, Nagelmann hit receiver Mike Trevathan with a touchdown pass that trimmed the Channel Island lead to 21-12.

The Lancers, however, were forced to attempt a two-point conversion to amend for their previous error. They failed again and trailed by nine with eight minutes left.

Nagelmann and Trevathan hooked up again a few minutes later to cut the margin to 21-19, but it wasn’t enough.

The Lancers did regain possession of the ball in the final moments, but Nagelmann was sacked for consecutive seven-yard losses, thwarting Thousand Oaks’ comeback bid.

Channel Islands improved its record to 3-1 in league and 4-2-1 overall. Thousand Oaks fell to 2-1 in league and 4-3 overall.

The Raiders held Thousand Oaks’ heralded sophomore running back Marc Monestime to only 62 yards rushing on 17 carries. Nagelmann also had his share of problems, completing only 14 of 30 passes for 159 yards and one interception.

Leading, 21-0, Channel Islands was content to stay on the ground for the entire second half, but had problems holding onto the football.

Ernie Tupua, who gained 96 yards on 17 carries for the Raiders, broke off a 19-yard gain, but fumbled on the Lancer 45-yard line with 10 minutes left in the contest. The ball was smothered by Thousand Oaks cornerback Derrick Tadlock, and the Lancers were in business. Eight plays later, Nagelmann found Mike Trevathan open near the goal line, and the senior wide receiver lunged in for his first touchdown, cutting the Lancers deficit to 21-12.

Then, it happened again.

Matt Young scooped up another Raider fumble, this time at the Channel Islands 37-yard line. After four plays and another Nagelmann-to-Trevathan hookup, it was a two-point ballgame.