Camarillo Falters in 4th Quarter

Half of the high school football teams in the country that played last night probably lost.

So, what makes Camarillo, 38-28 losers Friday at home, different?

Unlike most teams, Camarillo had to play two different teams: Channel Islands No. 1 and Channel Islands No. 2.

Channel Islands No. 1, the Raiders of the first half, played respectably, matching Camarillo’s three first-half touchdowns. But the Raiders were picked by many to challenge Thousand Oaks for the Marmonte League title. Many thought a Channel Islands title was not only possible, but probable.

The amateur oddsmakers must have been thinking of Channel Islands No. 2, the Raiders of the second half Friday night, who outplayed and outscored Camarillo to earn their first league win. And though it seemed as if the Raiders had two different squads on the field, Channel Islands Coach Joel Gershon, overcome with emotion, begged to differ.

“It wasn’t two halves to us,” said Gershon, as he was hugged by his players, coaches and girlfriend. “We came here to play a whole game. We did and we won.”

And the Raiders can thank linebacker Marc Henderson who picked off Scorpion quarterback Mike Henry’s pass with four minutes left in the game to stop Camarillo’s final drive.

At the time, Camarillo was behind, 32-28, and driving. On first-and-ten from the Raider 39-yard line, Henry dropped back to pass, but couldn’t find a receiver. Instead, Henderson found the errant throw and Channel Islands was in business at the Camarillo 20. On the third play from scrimmage, sophomore John Johnson broke a few tackles and ran 69 yards for a touchdown to put the Raiders ahead 38-28.

Despite fine defensive performances by several of the Scorpions--Corey Hubbert and Trent Spangler in particular--Camarillo still gave up 457 yards in total offense.

In five previous games, the Scorpions had given up only 1,057 yards.

But Johnson alone rushed for 93 yards on three carries and Ernie Tapua added 189 yards and two touchdowns.

“It’s hard to beat those guys when they get the breaks like that last interception,” Camarillo Coach Carl Thompson said. “But we were happy to be here. A lot of people picked us to finish fourth and Channel Islands to finish first. So to play this well against them, well, I’m not that disappointed.”

Running back Kevin Ochs scored three touchdowns and Henry completed 11 of 13 passes for 216 yards for Camarillo. The Scorpions are now 1-1 in league, 3-3 overall. Channel Islands is 1-0-1, 4-1-1 overall and now has sole possession of second place in the Marmonte League.