Newbury Park String Ended by Alemany, 22-13

After an absolutely charming two weeks when its defense did not allow a point, the third time for Newbury Park High was definitely alarm.

As for Alemany, consecutive rather alarming losses to open the season have been forgotten in the wake of three consecutive victories, including a 22-13 nonleague decision over Newbury Park on Friday night.

And although sophomore Terry Barnum’s 56-yard touchdown run with 1:27 remaining sealed the victory, it was a defensive play 30 seconds earlier that was the charm.

Visiting Newbury Park had just closed to within a point, 14-13, on quarterback Jai Johnston’s option run around right end. With less than two minutes to play, Newbury Park Coach George Hurley decided to try for the two-point conversion and sent in a similar play. Johnston took the snap, rolled to his right and cut into the line--just as safety Billy Markowitz expected. Markowitz wrapped him up at the one-yard line.

Then, on the first play after Jason Corralejo recovered Newbury Park’s onside kick, Barnum galloped away on his 56-yard jaunt. The run punctuated Alemany’s return to the running game.

Barnum rushed for 142 yards--more than half the total of his first four games--and also scored Alemany’s first touchdown on a 47-yard run.

The Indians were successful against a defensive-minded Newbury Park team that was ranked sixth among Valley-area Southern Section teams in overall defense and third against the rush.

As good as it was running the ball, Alemany still was at its best with quarterback Joey Rosselli running the show. The Valley’s passing leader threw for 154 yards and a touchdown on 12 of 25 attempts. Markowitz caught six of the aerials for 84 yards.

Alemany scored on the third play of its first drive. On the scoring play, Barnum broke off tackle, cut back left and scooted 47 yards.

It was the first touchdown Newbury Park’s defense had allowed this season.

Newbury Park (3-1-1) answered with a workmanlike 54-yard drive. On fourth and two from the three--the drive’s 15th play--6-foot-1, 275-pound Phil Pederson bounced off the right side of the line and crashed into the end zone.

Brad Hanson’s conversion tied the score, 7-7, with 2:08 left in the first quarter.

Alemany (3-2) scored again when Rosselli rolled left and found Markowitz in the left side of the end zone for a six-yard scoring pass with 9:13 remaining in the first half.