Bradley Runs Power Moorpark College

Moorpark College Coach Jim Bittner says Freddie Bradley is inconsistent, unorthodox and still learning the Raiders’ offensive system, but the freshman from Hueneme High was more than Valley could handle Saturday night.

Bradley gained 127 yards in 23 carries and scored a touchdown as Moorpark defeated the Monarchs, 23-0, in a Western State Conference opener at Valley.

Bradley’s 29-yard touchdown run came on his first carry of the second half and gave Moorpark a 13-0 lead after Sean Cheevers’ extra point.

Bradley broke no less than four tackles on the play, bursting through the right side of the line, then cutting outside to the right corner of the end zone.

“The line really came through in the second half,” Bradley said. “They just opened the holes and I tried my best to run through them.”

Bradley’s run came with 9:32 left in the third quarter and seemed to ignite Moorpark (2-0) as the Raiders dominated the game therafter.

Three plays after the ensuing kickoff, Moorpark linebacker Randy Spitzer intercepted a Trendell Williams pass at the Moorpark 48.

Jayson Merrill then hooked up with wide receiver Peter Marine on a 52-yard touchdown play to give Moorpark a 20-0 lead with 8:03 left in the third quarter.

“Those were two big plays,” Bittner said. “We were struggling until then.”

Merrill’s completion to Marine was only his third of the game, but that was all he needed as the Moorpark defense--ranked first in the state last season--began to tee off and unload on every passing situation.

The Raiders recorded six sacks and were constantly chasing Williams and backup Brent Spurlin out of the pocket.

Cheevers kicked a 30-yard field goal with 13:45 to play for Moorpark’s final points.

The Raiders had a 6-0 lead at halftime on Cheevers’ 23-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 42-yarder in the second.

Bradley gained 61 yards in 10 carries in the first two quarters, but he was the only offensive standout in a defense-dominated first half.

Moorpark held Valley to 48 yards in total offense and sacked Williams three times, while Valley limited Moorpark to 76 total yards and forced three Raider turnovers.