Southern Section Football : Channel Islands Outruns Oxnard

It could have been billed as a “Night at the Races.” Featured were four quick runners in the backfield for Oxnard and one thoroughbred charging for Channel Islands.

The thoroughbred outclassed the four colts, however, and Channel Islands held on to defeat Oxnard, 26-25, in a nonleague game at Oxnard.

Halfback John Johnson of Channel Islands, apparently recovered from sore ankles that had hampered him for two weeks, raced for 200 yards in 19 carries and had touchdown runs of 55, 2, 67 and 11 yards.

Oxnard’s Bryan Taylor (12 carries for 121 yards) scored from 5 yards with four minutes remaining to cut Channel Islands’ lead to 26-25. Oxnard went for the two-point conversion, but quarterback Johnel Turner’s pass was intercepted in the end zone by Renard Carn.

Oxnard had a final chance to win with 39 seconds to play but Ed Poraya’s 37-yard field-goal attempt was short.

Johnson’s final touchdown, with 6:39 to play, was set up when Turner’s pass was intercepted by Raider defensive back Donny Mays at the Oxnard 40. Five plays later, Johnson scored.

Turner rushed for 117 yards in 15 attempts, including a 70-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He completed 3 of 11 passes for 86 yards. A 51-yard scoring pass to Landry Wofford in the second quarter gave the Yellowjackets a 19-6 lead.