Thousand Oaks Gets Answers in 21-0 Win

Opening games often set the tone for the entire season, and on Friday night Thousand Oaks High had its biggest--and perhaps only--question mark answered.

The Lancers took the field with a proven defense, which included seven returning starters, and a solid running game. It left with a quarterback as well.

Robb McKinnon, a senior making his first start, passed for 162 yards to lead Thousand Oaks to a 21-0 victory over South Torrance at Thousand Oaks.

“I was nervous at first,” McKinnon said. “I played so little on varsity. But after a few plays, everything came back and I felt right at home.”

Said Thousand Oaks Coach Bob Richards: “I was pleased with his poise and the way he handled himself out on the field.”

McKinnon completed his first six passes. He wound up completing 12 of 20, including one for a touchdown.

Marc Monestime, a junior tailback, spearheaded the Lancers’ rushing attack with 87 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Mike Moore rushed for 76 yards on 13 carries, all in the first half.

Thousand Oaks rolled up 21 first downs, including 9 of 13 third-down conversions, while limiting South Torrance to four.

South Torrance was unable to establish its ground game and finished with only 75 total yards.

With Thousand Oaks leading, 6-0, in the second quarter, South Torrance made its only serious threat. But the drive was stopped when linebacker Joe Sturges intercepted a pass by South Torrance quarterback Tom Mace.

Sturges returned the ball 69 yards to South Torrance’s 27-yard line.

Thousand Oaks scored five plays later on a 12-yard pass from McKinnon to Jason Schlimgen.

“That interception turned the game around,” McKinnon said. “We thought they were going to score and we ended up taking a bigger lead. That set the tone for the rest of the game.”