Oxnard Defense Paves Way

Oxnard High went into Saturday night’s nonleague game with an offense as powerful as Hurricane Hugo, but it was a stingy defense that swept Channel Islands off its feet.

Oxnard (3-0) limited Channel Islands, which had averaged more than 350 yards in its first two games, to 168 rushing yards during its 26-12 win at Hueneme High.

Channel Islands (2-1) didn’t score until the fourth quarter and hurt itself with six fumbles and personal fouls that ended two drives deep in Oxnard territory. Running back Renard Carn had a successful evening, rushing for 142 yards in 16 carries, but fullback Pharoh Milner--who, like Carn, was averaging more than 100 yards rushing a game--was held to 26 in seven carries.

Oxnard scored two touchdowns in a four-minute span in the first quarter. Quarterback Johnel Turner gave Oxnard a 6-0 lead with a four-yard run at the 5:34 mark. After Channel Islands fumbled on its next drive, Turner found Mitch Watkins in the end zone with a pass on a third-and-30 play from the 50.

The main gun was Turner, though. The quick senior scored from four yards out with 1:26 left in the third quarter to give Oxnard a 20-0 lead and added a two-yard score with 2:33 left.