HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK : Newbury Park Sheds Self-Destructive Habits

Newbury Park High’s 20-7 win over Westlake on Friday night may have surprised a lot of people, but not Ken Cook.

Cook, in his 11th season as Newbury Park coach, has been telling people that few teams could beat the Panthers, providing the Panthers don’t beat themselves.

Against Westlake, which entered the game ranked fourth in the Southern Section’s Coastal Conference, Newbury Park proved just how good it can be if errors are kept to a minimum.

“We’ve moved the ball on every team we’ve played only to self-destruct with fumbles and penalties,” Cook said. “Finally, we didn’t do that.”

In the process, the Panthers made their coach a prophet. In an interview before the season started, Cook said there were two keys to his success.

“We have to run the ball the way we want . . . and we have to play Newbury Park defense and not do what we did last year.”

Last season, Newbury Park was 4-6, gave up more than 20 points a game and did little running on offense and a lot of back-pedaling on defense.

But true to their coach’s word, the Panthers have improved in both areas this season.

Against Westlake, Newbury Park rushed for 300 yards, while it held the high-powered Warriors’ offense to 249.

Westlake came into the game with the Valley area’s top-rated offense (450 yards per game).

Newbury Park improved its record to 5-3-1 overall, 3-2 in the Marmonte League. The Panthers’ losses were by a combined six points.

Westlake dropped to 6-3 overall, 3-2 in league. Both teams trail Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, which have 4-1 league records.

Thousand Oaks appears to hold the advantage as the league’s title chase goes down to the final game of the regular season. The Lancers play Royal (1-8) on Friday. Simi Valley meets Westlake.

“We’re a touchdown from being undefeated, but only a loss away from not making the playoffs,” Cook said. “That’s the way it goes in this league.”

John Reardon, coach of Rio Mesa, was feeling pretty low at halftime of his team’s game Friday night against Dos Pueblos.

The Spartans had been routed by Santa Barbara, 30-7, last week and they trailed Dos Pueblos, 23-13, after two quarters.

How down was Reardon?

He told a reporter it had crossed his mind to retire from the coaching profession and to become a sportswriter.

Perhaps spurred by their coach’s deep depression, the Spartans rallied in the second half to win, 34-30.

Rob O’Byrne had quite a night in helping Crespi break a 13-game Del Rey League losing streak with a 31-14 victory over St. Francis.

The sophomore caught a 39-yard touchdown pass from Randy Redell in the second quarter, then scored again on a 39-yard interception return in the third quarter.

His parents and teachers might be more interested in his comments to reporters after the game, however. Asked what was going through his mind after having such a big night, O’Byrne replied, “Well, (long pause), nothing.”

Faith Baptist picked up its 20th consecutive win by default on Saturday.

Buckley, which had lost its last five games by margins of 44-0, 50-0, 58-8, 52-0 and 28-18, forfeited its Delphic League game scheduled for Saturday against the Southern Section’s defending Eight-Man Conference champion.

Faith Baptist (9-0) is the top-ranked team in the conference. Buckley finished the season 1-7.

Add Faith Baptist: The Contenders’ win streak on the varsity level goes on, but the junior varsity had its 23-game winning skein ended last week when it lost to Brentwood, 36-22. The Faith Baptist varsity won, 50-0.

Receiver Greg Fowble tied the Granada Hills record for touchdown passes in a season with a 26-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter of the Highlanders’ 27-7 win Friday night over Cleveland.

Fowble has 13 this season and shares the record with Paul Bergmann, who set the record in 1978.

Bergmann went on to start at tight end for UCLA.

Fowble also has major college potential as a receiver, but look for him to choose a career playing baseball instead.

He has been the starting shortstop for Granada Hills for two years and is considered one of the top professional baseball prospects in the Valley area.

North Hollywood came up with its first three interceptions of the season Friday night. They helped the Huskies upset Reseda, 3-2.

Hugo Martinez had one interception and Robbie Krumm had two, his last at the Huskie two-yard line with two minutes left in the game.

Reseda turned the ball over eight times. Quarterback Daryl Mickens threw the three interceptions, and the Regents fumbled seven times, losing five. Two of the fumbles were inside the North Hollywood five.

Having a perfect night passing may be every quarterback’s dream, but it isn’t Lyle Oswalt’s any longer.

The Van Nuys quarterback attempted six passes Friday night, and not one of them hit the turf before being caught.

Unfortunately for Van Nuys, two of Oswalt’s passes were caught by Monroe defenders. Each of the interceptions set up a touchdown and Monroe won, 28-0.

Add Van Nuys: The Wolves have quick-kicked on third down on several occasions this season. The strategy backfired in the first quarter against Monroe. Not only did the punt travel only 16 yards, but Monroe safety Barry Thomas scooped up the ball and went 31 yards for a touchdown.

In Moorpark’s 20-12 victory Friday night over Bishop Diego, there were 24 penalties for 229 yards. Moorpark was called 15 times for 150 yards.

In addition to the penalties, the Musketeers were hurt by five turnovers.

Bishop Diego had six turnovers, including four interceptions.

Add Moorpark: The Musketeers were without running back Oscar Love, who was out with a broken thumb. Replacing Love was Tim Rothanzl, Moorpark’s regular starting quarterback.

Rothanzl gained 149 yards on 17 carries, including a 66-yard touchdown run. Moorpark’s other running back, Willie Gutierrez, also had a good game, rushing 22 times for 122 yards.

On defense, the same pair accounted for three of Bishop Diego’s turnovers. Gutierrez had three interceptions for 77 yards, while Rothanzl had one for no return.

Jesse Onga, quarterback at Grant, will miss the Lancers’ final game against Reseda.

He didn’t play in a 31-0 loss to Poly on Friday after fracturing his right foot in practice on Wednesday.

His replacement, Mike Parker, a junior, completed 15 of 29 passes for 191 yards, but was intercepted twice.