Moorpark Play Makes Southwest Pay

The Moorpark College football team was struggling to put away L.A. Southwest on Saturday night until it turned to the gadget-play chapter of its playbook. Running back Gil Carrillo completed a 59-yard pass to wide receiver Mark Henrie in the waning minutes of the third quarter, lifting the Raiders to a 20-7 Western State Conference victory at Moorpark.

Moorpark Coach Jim Bittner said the Raiders (2-1, 2-0 in conference play) practiced the play for the first time Friday.

“I breathed a sigh of relief after that,” Bittner said.

Carrillo, who performed well in his usual role with 89 yards in 25 carries, didn’t have much trouble finding his receiver.

“The safety was just sucked in,” Carrillo said. “Mark was standing there alone, having a little tea party. All he had to do was sit and wait for it.”

Aside from that touchdown, which came with just under three minutes to play in the third quarter, Southwest (0-3, 0-2) kept Moorpark fairly well in check. The Raiders were held to 315 yards in total offense, 63 below their season average.

But the Cougars couldn’t do any better. Moorpark held Southwest to 257 yards, only 72 in the second half.

Five receivers caught at least two passes for Moorpark. Quarterback Todd Preston completed 12 of 22 attempts for 142 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Preston threw for 100 yards in the first half to help the Raiders build a 10-7 lead. He connected with Alex Estrada on a fade pattern for a six-yard touchdown pass with 4:32 to play in the first quarter.

The play capped an 11-play, 69-yard drive that spanned 4:14. Preston’s 23-yard pass to tight end John Fenger (three catches, 48 yards) on third and eight from the Southwest 45 was a key play.

On its first possession of the second quarter, Moorpark started at its 45 and made first downs on four consecutive plays before stalling. Steve Sabbe kicked a 26-yard field goal with 11:12 to play in the half to give the Raiders a 10-0 lead.

With 5:15 to play in the half, Cougar quarterback Bradley Freeman connected with wide receiver Kyronn Gallien on a 57-yard touchdown play.

Steven Prchal’s 41-yard field goal increased Moorpark’s lead to 13-7 with 6:47 to play in the third quarter.