Thousand Oaks Tops Chino With Late Rally, 25-21

Perhaps there is a little something left over from Thousand Oaks High’s Coastal Conference championship of a season ago.

Call it what you like. Skill. Luck. Magic. Whatever it is, Lancer Coach Bob Richards would like more of it.

“I think a little bit of luck,” Richards said moments after Thousand Oaks defeated Chino, 25-21, in the opener for both teams Thursday night at Chino. “No, that’s underestimating these guys.

“You know, we’re so young, and for the kids to pull it out . . .”

With Chino defensive end Ken Kizzee and 25 seconds to play staring him in the eyes, Thousand Oaks quarterback Anthony Gonzales flipped a six-yard scoring pass to Jeff Moore for the winning touchdown. The score capped a 15-point comeback by the Lancers, who trailed, 21-10, less than eight minutes earlier.

“We just decided we could win the game at the end,” tailback Mike Lindsay said, “and everybody pushed for it.”

Lindsay should know. The junior transfer from Westlake rushed 21 times for 135 yards, 89 in the second half. His 49 yards in 4 carries keyed a Lancer drive midway through the fourth quarter that ended with a one-yard sneak by Gonzales. The quarterback then dashed around left end for two points to make the score 21-18 with 5:41 to play.

“We gave it our best shot except for eight minutes,” Chino Coach John Monger said.

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, it was the final eight minutes. Chino quarterback Gary Goodwin ripped the Lancer secondary for 174 yards passing and a touchdown and running back Shawn Hampton rushed for 92 yards. Eighty of those came on one play, straight up the middle, that gave the Cowboys a 14-10 lead with 4:37 remaining in the third quarter.

Chino came back less than four minutes later when Goodwin bulled in from the one with 8:17 to play. Thousand Oaks looked beaten, but its running game--and maybe a little something extra--was not finished.

“They trapped us real well up front,” said Monger, who was especially impressed by Lancer tackle Rick McCathron. “And that hurt us. That 73 is real good.”

Thousand Oaks scored on its second possession of the game on a five-play, 30-yard drive.

Lindsay burst off left tackle on second and nine and ran 21 yards to the Cowboys’ eight. Jim Jancovich scored three plays later on a 12-yard pass from Gonzales, who rolled right and lofted the pass to the open receiver 6:31 into the game.

John Mogler gave Thousand Oaks a 10-0 advantage with 3:24 left in the first half with a 32-yard field goal. The Lancers had driven 79 yards and had second and goal on Chino’s one, but an offsides penalty and a 10-yard sack forced the field-goal attempt.

Chino’s big-play capability showed in the next drive. On a 68-yard drive, Goodwin completed passes of 55 and 27 yards, the latter a touchdown strike to receiver Chad Beckman, who leaped over Lancer cornerback David Kuenstle for the reception in the end zone. The point-after brought Chino to within 10-7 with 1:45 to play in the half.