Carpinteria Seeks 50th Win in a Row Over Moorpark

Futility is heading into its seventh decade in Moorpark. In fact, futility practically qualifies for senior citizenship.

Yet there are whispers in the Moorpark High hallways. Students and players are starting to believe, and that in itself is a noteworthy development.

“It could be the year.”

Moorpark will play nemesis Carpinteria in a Tri-Valley League game Friday at Carpinteria Junior High. The game has no playoff implications because both teams already have clinched postseason berths. But when the opponent is Carpinteria, it is white-knuckle time in Moorpark.

Moorpark has not beaten Carpinteria since 1934 and has lost an ignominious 49 consecutive games.

In that stretch, Moorpark has been shut out 27 times and held to 10 points or fewer in 14.

Moorpark has scored more than 14 points only once in the 49 losses.

In the 49 losses, Moorpark has been outscored, 1,666 to 250.

Carp? These guys are sharks.

Even relative newcomers are aware of the streak. And believe it, this is one instance when a team doesn’t relish being called the 49ers. “A lot of people here would probably be satisfied if we finished 1-9,” said third-year Moorpark Coach Rob Dearborn. “As long as we beat Carp.”

Moorpark is 5-4, 2-1 in league play. Carpinteria is 5-3-1, 2-1. Dearborn said players started to believe--really, they do--that they could end the streak when Oak Park beat Carpinteria, 29-28, last week. Moorpark lost to Oak Park, 17-7, last month.

“When we heard they had lost, one of the kids said, ‘Hey, they’re mortal,’ ” Dearborn said. “The kids have been dreaming about what it would be like to be the ones to finally beat them. If we win, I think they’d probably throw us a parade.”