Simi Valley Thrown for a Loss but Wins

Simi Valley High backup quarterback Tim Bennett completed the back end of a double pass for a 46-yard touchdown to Nathan Simmons with 29 seconds left, giving the Pioneers a 17-10 Marmonte League victory over Royal before more than 9,000 Friday night at Moorpark College.

Bennett, who entered the game late in the second quarter after an injury to the left ankle of Pioneer starter Jeremie Watkins, pitched to running back Jevon Markarian, who avoided fierce pursuit by the Highlanders’ defense and threw back to Bennett. The quarterback found Simmons alone downfield.

Simi Valley (3-2, 1-1 in league play) has lost two games in the waning moments by a total of two points.

Royal (3-2, 1-1), which trailed, 10-7, entering the fourth quarter, tied the score on a 43-yard field goal by Brent Thompson with 1:10 remaining.

Bennett completed four of 19 attempts for 54 yards with the touchdown to Simmons and one interception. He relieved Watkins--who entered the game third in the area in passing--with 39 seconds remaining in the first half after Watkins suffered the ankle injury while being tackled.

Watkins completed four of nine passes for 30 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Royal’s Jerome Lee rushed for 103 yards in 22 carries, and Mike Reddington gained 60 yards in 21 carries and scored Royal’s touchdown.

Royal held Markarian to eight yards in six carries. Highlander defensive linemen Sheldon Griffith and linebacker Steve Zirnite each had two sacks.

Simi Valley held a 10-7 halftime lead. Despite quick starts by the Highlanders and Pioneers on offense, the game’s first 24 minutes was dominated by defense.

Following the game’s opening kickoff, Royal scored on a 14-play drive covering 80 yards. Reddington’s one-yard touchdown run capped the drive with with 5:13 left in the first quarter. Kicker Thompson missed the point-after, but he was given another chance thanks to a roughing-the-kicker penalty.

He converted the second attempt, giving Royal a 7-0 lead.

The Pioneers cut the lead to 7-3 in their first possession on Tim Wolleck’s 42-yard field goal. Simi Valley return specialist Kevin Sergy helped set up the score with a 75-yard return after Royal’s touchdown.

Starting at their 25, the Pioneers drove to the Highlanders’ one-yard line. However, Watkins was sacked on three consecutive plays, losing 24 yards. Wolleck then booted the field goal.

On the ensuing possession, Lagatta threw a pass intercepted by defensive back Nathan Simmons at Royal’s 48-yard line.

Simmons returned the ball to the Royal 34, and Watkins combined with receiver Paul Boerem for an eight-yard touchdown pass four plays later. Wolleck’s point-after put Simi Valley ahead, 10-7, with 11:55 remaining in the first half.

Each team had the ball four more times, but neither offense could get rolling. The Pioneers had 38 yards passing and minus-10 yards rushing in the first half.

The Highlanders’ offense fared better--but not much. Royal rushed for 108 yards and passed for 39.