Agoura Takes Measure of Royal in 14-6 Win

This time, Agoura High got to pick on someone its own size.

Last week, the Chargers--most of whom have to stand on tiptoe to reach six feet tall--were roughed up by a bigger Newbury Park team. But in its home opener Friday, Agoura pushed around a Royal High team nearer to its own physical stature and won, 14-6.

The game was close, but Agoura (1-1) pulled away with 3:41 remaining as running back Dave Caramanis, who rushed 11 times for 81 yards, ran three yards for the clinching touchdown.

“We practiced hard all week,” said Caramanis, who gained 60 yards in the final five minutes. “In the fourth quarter, we just had more energy.”

For the second consecutive week, Royal (1-1) played well defensively. But that was all that went well.

“Our offense just isn’t in sync,” Royal Coach Gene Uebelhardt said.

Royal quarterback Charles Snyder completed three of seven passes for 34 yards, threw an interception and fumbled twice. Rob Smith led Royal’s ground game with 59 yards in 10 carries.

For the second time in as many weeks, Royal opened the game with a fumble. Snyder lost the ball at his own 26, Agoura recovered and five plays later quarterback Josh Smaler ran 10 yards on an option play for the touchdown. Smaler passed to Chris Ostwald for the two-point conversion.

On Agoura’s next possession, Smaler fumbled while being sacked and Royal recovered. On the next play, Snyder ran 12 yards for the touchdown, but his pass for a two-point conversion fell incomplete and Agoura led, 8-6, at halftime.

The victory served as redemption for Agoura, which will join Newbury Park and Royal, et al, in the Marmonte League.

“We showed them what we can do,” Caramanis said.