HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Simi Valley Shocks Royalfor 1st Win Since 1987

Simi Valley High won for the first time since 1987, defeating cross-town rival Royal, 21-3, Saturday in a Marmonte League game at Simi Valley.

Eric Hale, Simi Valley’s best player, described the victory as the “greatest feeling I’ve ever felt.” The Pioneers (1-7 overall, 1-3 in league play) had not won since a 19-6 victory over El Camino Real in the ninth week of 1987, a string of 18 games.

Hale, a 6-foot-5 tailback, and quarterback Aaron Fisher switched positions for the game and both excelled. Although Hale’s only two passes were incomplete, he ran for three touchdowns. Fisher rushed for 137 yards in 26 carries as the Pioneers gained 201 yards on the ground.

Ryan Fien, Royal’s sophomore quarterback, completed eight of 21 passes for 94 yards. Fien threw two interceptions and was sacked twice by Mike Burroughs.

Hale capped an 80-yard scoring drive in the first quarter with a three-yard run. The only score by the Highlanders (2-6, 0-4) came on a 31-yard field goal by Matt Brinkman in the second quarter.

Hale’s six-yard scoring run came with less than two minutes to play in the first half and increased Simi Valley’s lead to 14-3.