Smith Uses Breaks to Break Records

The football fans at Newbury Park High certainly like Keith Smith, and who knows, maybe somebody up there likes Smith too.

Smith, a 6-foot, 175-pound junior quarterback, received thunderous applause from beginning to end of Friday night’s wild and crazy, 40-35 Marmonte League victory over visiting Simi Valley. The loudest and longest ovation came with 1 minute 31 seconds to play when Smith finished a 78-yard march with a seven-yard touchdown run.

The score capped a stunning statistical performance by Smith, who finished with exactly 500 yards total offense.

Smith completed 32 of 51 passes for 397 yards--all school records--and three touchdowns. Scrambling out of the pocket, Smith also rushed for a game-high 103 yards and one touchdown in 11 carries.

“We had to win this game,” a sweaty and excited Smith said afterward. “But it was insane.”

Frenzied, to say the least. The teams combined for 991 yards, including 755 passing by Smith and Simi Valley senior Eric Bennett.

Bennett added to the excitement by passing for 358 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown pass from punt formation on fourth down, as well as touchdown passes of 60, 50 and six yards.

Bennett’s six-yard scoring pass to Aaron Whitley gave Simi Valley a 35-32 lead with 2:52 to play. Bennett nearly stole the spotlight from Smith by driving the Pioneers into Newbury Park territory in the final minute. An interception by linebacker Justin Simo at the 35-yard line with 25 seconds to play ended the threat.

“It was a heartbreaking loss because our kids really poured themselves into it,” Simi Valley Coach Stan Quina said. “We had kids literally in tears.”

Said Newbury Park Coach George Hurley: “Every yard (Smith) had was necessary. If he had 499 yards we wouldn’t have won.”

Luck played a part--and Smith had his share.

In the game’s opening drive, Newbury Park drove to the Simi Valley six-yard line but Smith, scrambling out of the pocket, fumbled at the one. The ball bounced once and into the arms of wide receiver Leodes Van Buren, who easily stepped across the goal line.

On Newbury Park’s game-winning drive, lucky doesn’t begin to describe Smith’s fortune and Simi Valley’s frustration.

With two minutes to play, Smith zipped a sideline pass to Douglas Tokarik, while failing to spot defensive back Robbie Cuillard. Cuillard stepped in front of Tokarik with nothing before him but the goal line. However, Cuillard bobbled the ball, then dropped it.

“I just didn’t see him when I threw it,” Smith said. “I was going crazy when I did see him.”

Three plays later, after a 38-yard bomb to Van Buren gave Newbury Park a first down at the seven, Smith dropped back and fired into a crowded end zone. Simi Valley’s David Quitazol, who made an end zone interception off Smith in the second quarter, appeared to have his second of the game. However, Quitazol also bobbled and dropped the ball. Smith ran for a touchdown on the next play.

“It hit me right in the hands,” Quitazol said. “It really hurt at the time to have come so close. It really bothered me the whole weekend.”

You win some, you lose some.

“I don’t know what was the matter with their hands,” Smith said. “I guess God was with me.”

For a quarterback whose feet rarely stop moving, Smith always seems to be in the right place at the right time--which had something to do with how he became the starting quarterback.

Last season, Smith began as the junior varsity quarterback with no expectation of moving up to the varsity. However, varsity starter Zack Sutton sustained a broken finger during summer practice and Smith was given his chance.

He responded by passing for 2,409 yards and 17 touchdowns. With each game, Smith looks more like a college prospect. This season, Smith leads area passers with 1,518 yards. He has completed 110 of 176 passes (62.5%) for 15 touchdowns.

Against Simi Valley, Smith completed passes to four receivers. Van Buren had 15 catches for 183 yards.

“The great thing about Keith is that he picks up his third and fourth receivers,” Hurley said. “And all his receivers get open.”

Van Buren leads area receivers with 43 catches for 688 yards. Teammate Jason Toohey is second with 39 catches for 530 yards.

“It’s a great offense and my receivers are unbelievable,” Smith said. “I guess I’m getting all the breaks.”