Southern Section Roundup : Thousand Oaks Bursts Past Simi Valley

Thousand Oaks High got off to a fast start in more ways than one Friday night.

Ronnie Cruz returned the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown and the Lancers scored the game’s first 28 points en route to a 28-6 win over Simi Valley in a Marmonte League game at Thousand Oaks.

Thousand Oaks (4-0-1, 2-0 in league play) also scored on its first possession. The Lancers marched 49 yards in eight plays, Chris Foster going the final 10 yards for the score. Foster led all rushers with 97 yards in 13 carries.

Cory Bowen scored Thousand Oaks’ other touchdowns on runs of four and 18 yards in the second quarter.

The game could have even been more one-sided, but the Lancers lost four second-half fumbles.

The Thousand Oaks defense limited Simi Valley to minus-42 yards in total offense through three quarters, and the Pioneers finished the game with 23 total yards. Defensive end Nick Ochoa sacked Simi Valley quarterbacks six times for 41 yards in losses.

The Pioneers (0-5, 0-1) scored their only touchdown in the fourth quarter on Eric Hale’s two-yard run. Simi Valley has lost 15 consecutive games, a streak that began in 1987, a week after tying Thousand Oaks.