Newbury Park Rallies to Turn Back Royal, 14-9

Newbury Park High needed only one pass reception from Leodes Van Buren on Friday night. Good thing, because Van Buren, the state’s leading receiver, caught only two.

However, Van Buren’s second grab proved decisive, as Newbury Park came from behind to defeat Royal, 14-9, in a Marmonte League game at Moorpark College.

Van Buren, who battled a slippery field and double coverage throughout the evening, made a running catch of a Keith Smith spiral early in the third quarter that resulted in a 37-yard touchdown.

The score capped a 14-point comeback by Newbury Park (6-1, 4-0 in league play) and kept the Panthers in sole possession of first place.

Smith, the Southern Section’s leading passer, completed 21 of 43 for 259 yards and two touchdowns, including one for 11 yards to Jason Tucker in the final seconds of the first half.

However, eight passes that went Van Buren’s way failed to connect.

“He was open deep,” Smith said. “But I couldn’t throw it.”

Said Van Buren, who entered the game with 50 receptions: “I don’t care if I don’t catch another pass all season, as long as we win.”

And as long as Newbury Park has Jason Toohey running patterns, too.

Toohey, who was second to Van Buren among the state’s receiving leaders with 44 catches, likely moved atop the list by catching 10 passes for 126 yards.

“When they put two or three guys on Leodes, me and Keith play catch,” Toohey said.

Royal (3-4, 2-2) forced Newbury Park to play catch-up early.

The Highlanders grabbed a 9-0 lead in the second quarter while Newbury Park’s offense sputtered on the sloppy field.

After a scoreless first quarter, Royal struck when Brian Fernandez broke into Newbury Park’s backfield and blocked Smith’s punt in the end zone. The ball bounced out of the end zone, giving Royal a 2-0 lead.

Royal cornerback Derek Newcomb frustrated Newbury Park twice with first-half interceptions. Newcomb’s second theft gave Royal a first down at the Panther 26 with four minutes left in the half. Three plays later, Matt Olsen found David Brown behind defensive back Shane Smith and connected for a 29-yard touchdown.

Newbury Park finally got on the scoreboard with a 66-yard drive in the final three minutes of the half. Smith completed only four of nine passes on the drive, but his final attempt on fourth and 10 at the 11-yard line went to Tucker for a touchdown.