Kick-Start Revs Up Channel Islands

Channel Islands High, off to a sluggish start against Westlake, needed a swift kick when behind to get going.

The Raiders got just that from senior J. Rosario Pina, who booted a 51-yard field goal to start Channel Islands on its way to a 31-15 Marmonte League victory Friday night at Hueneme High.

“All week I was practicing long kicks,” Pina said of his school-record field goal. “I thought I helped the team and motivated us to play harder.”

After his field goal, which came early in the second quarter when Channel Islands was trailing, 7-0, Pina got some help on offense from a bruising running game. Tailback Renard Carn rushed 17 times for 82 yards and one touchdown. Fullback Pharoh Milner ran 14 times for 63 yards and scored two first-half touchdowns.

Westlake had hoped this game would prove that its vastly improved team could play with the big boys--namely a Channel Islands team that had won two league titles in a row.

But the Warriors’ only spark came from junior quarterback Todd Preston, who completed 21 of 38 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. However, Preston, who threw two interceptions, was battered all night as he was continually chased from the pocket or sacked.

“I was real happy with our defense,” Channel Islands Coach Joel Gershon said. “Our coverages were good and we were able to put pressure on the quarterback.”

Leading, 17-7, heading into the second half, Channel Islands’ offense used big plays to put the game away. Quarterback Mark Contreras threw 62 yards to wide receiver Shawn Young for a touchdown on the Raiders’ first possession of the third quarter.

A few minutes later, Channel Islands took possession at the Westlake 45 and left the rest to Carn. The junior rushed four times in a row, the last run going 21 yards for another touchdown to give the Raiders a 31-7 lead.

Westlake jumped to an early lead after Channel Islands’ first possession stalled and the Raiders punted short into a chilling wind.

The Warriors took over near midfield and Preston promptly completed a 23-yard pass to Seamus Gibbons. One play later, he hit tight end Dave Monheim for a seven-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead.