Moorpark Foils Ferragamo’s Graduation Plans

Chris Ferragamo did not go softly into the plight at Harbor College.

After winning 10 City Section championships in 18 years as head football coach at Banning High, Ferragamo left the trophies behind to take the same post this season at Harbor. And he immediately made a bold proclamation, underlining his belief in the resurgence at Harbor by calling it, a “major college program at the junior college level.”

As it turned out, his debut was not major in any way.

Moorpark College, a junior college team at the junior college level, easily handled the Seahawks, 28-0, in the first game of the season for both teams Saturday afternoon at Moorpark College.

“He’s new to junior college football,” Moorpark Coach Jim Bittner, in his ninth season, said of Ferragamo. “I think he does have good players, but they’re young players.

“Junior college football is a little different than all other levels.”

What’s not different is the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage. Harbor boasted an offensive line that averaged 6-5 and 275 pounds. However, the Seahawks clearly were beaten across the line. Ferragamo blamed it on a lack of intensity.

“We’ve got to learn how to get a little fire,” he said. “The fire just wasn’t there.”

Perhaps it was doused early, when the Raiders took the opening kickoff and went 80 yards in 15 plays, capped by running back Larry Roberts’ nine-yard dash around left end for a touchdown. Or maybe what put out the blaze was John Goslin’s fumble recovery in the second quarter that led to Roberts’ second touchdown of the half, putting the Raiders ahead, 14-0.

Harbor was never able to move the ball consistently. The Seahawks punted seven times in the game and lost three fumbles as Moorpark held them to 113 yards of total offense, 42 in the first half.

“Their defense had a lot to do with our offense,” Ferragamo said. “They’re a very, very aggressive bunch. They’re outstanding.”

Harbor quarterback Jeff Sullivan was sacked five times, and Moorpark even beat up on the Pope--backup quarterback William Pope, who was sacked twice. Running back Alvin Goree, last year’s City Section 4-A player of the year at Carson, was held to 31 yards on 12 carries.

In Harbor’s only real chance to score, placekicker Luis Solorio pushed his 38-yard field goal attempt to the left early in the fourth quarter. By then, the score was already 21-0.

Two plays into the second half, Moorpark defensive end Stacey Eskridge blind-sided Sullivan and the ball popped loose. Goslin was again there to recover, this time on the Seahawk 42-yard line.

Dan Nagelmann, for the second consecutive year in the middle of a three-way tug of war at quarterback at Moorpark, then connected with wide receiver Carlton Hines along the right sideline for a 42-yard touchdown.

The Raiders put Harbor away with 6:41 remaining in the game, when No.3 quarterback David Sommer hit Andre Green in the end zone with a 40-yard scoring pass.

Running back Kenny Durr led Moorpark with 52 yards on 11 carries, and teammate Mike Daniels added 41 yards rushing.

Ferragamo’s debut was further sullied by penalties. The Seahawks were penalized nine times for 80 yards. Moorpark suffered 65 yards in penalties.

“I’m very, very humiliated,” Ferragamo said. “What else can I say?”