Defense Lifts Moorpark Over Santa Barbara

It’s sort of like noticing a freckle on Michelle Pfeiffer or that the 1954 Dom Perignon is a little flat, to say that the Moorpark defense was not perfect.

With shutouts in three of its first six games, the Moorpark defense has set some high standards, and though it was not perfect, it was still awesome in a 34-10 Western State Conference Northern Division win over Santa Barbara City College on Saturday night.

“Basically, we contained them when we had to,” said Moorpark Coach Jim Bittner, whose team leads the WSC in defense. “They scared us but didn’t get into paydirt. We defended the pass, but they did a very intelligent job. As soon as they saw the nickel (defense), they ran the ball.”

Santa Barbara entered the game as the top passing team in the WSC, but against the staunch Moorpark defense--and with starter Ted Robison on the sidelines because of an injury--it could only muster 153 passing yards.

While the defense was nearly flawless, it would be difficult to find any flaws in the performance of Moorpark running back Freddie Bradley, who rushed for four touchdowns and 158 yards in 22 carries.

In the second half, Moorpark (6-1, 5-1 in WSC play) came up with some big turnovers and held Santa Barbara scoreless.

Linebacker Tom Briggs forced Santa Barbara quarterback Sam Levitz to fumble on his 28-yard-line midway through the fourth quarter, and Bradley weaved his way for a 20-yard touchdown two plays later.

“I thought we played real good,” said Briggs, who had three sacks. ‘We didn’t really expect to get a shutout.”

Moorpark didn’t need a shutout with Bradley running roughshod over the Santa Barbara defense.

Santa Barbara Coach Rick Cook called Bradley the finest back his team had faced all year, and Bradley received ample support from teammates Johny Brown and Marc Monestine, who rushed for 90 and 43 yards, respectively.

Moorpark’s only other second-half score came on a 27-yard field goal by Sean Cheevers midway through the fourth quarter.

Cheevers’ kick was made possible by a Troy Thomas interception. Thomas returned the ball to the Santa Barbara 25.

After being held to seven yards in his first four carries, Bradley, who had 100 first-half yards, scored touchdowns on three consecutive carries.

Midway through the first quarter, Bradley burst through the middle for a six-yard touchdown.

Jim Hand intercepted a Levitz pass on the ensuing series and returned the ball to the Santa Barbara 30, setting the stage for Bradley’s next score.

Seven plays later, Bradley pounded two yards for the touchdown.

Bradley’s third touchdown of the first half came on the first play of the second quarter when he brushed off tackle and cut to daylight on the right for a 63-yard gallop.

Levitz, subbing for Robison, threw 25 yards to Walter Brooks for Santa Barbara’s only touchdown.

The loss dropped Santa Barbara to 4-3, 3-3 in WSC play.