Moorpark Prevails in Showdown

Before the showdown by the surf, Moorpark College football Coach Jim Bittner worried that his team would fall victim to Santa Barbara City’s high-powered passing attack.

The Vaqueros indeed tried to reach high gear, but six turnovers--including four interceptions of passes by Jerrod DeGeorgia--caused the offense to lurch, and the Raiders escaped with a 37-28 victory Saturday in a Western State Conference North Division game.

Moopark (7-2, 7-1 in conference play) gave up three touchdowns and 428 yards passing to DeGeorgia, the conference’s leading passer going into the game with 2,120 yards.

The victory improved the Raiders to 4-0 in divisional play and dropped Santa Barbara (4-5, 4-4) to 2-2. Moorpark will face Glendale, also unbeaten in the division, for the North title at home next week.

Sophomore running back Gil Carrillo helped Moorpark control the ball, rushing for a game-high 254 yards. He scored one touchdown.

The Raiders rallied from a 16-15 deficit at the half.

Quarterback Todd Preston connected with wide receiver Isaiah Mustafa for a 26-yard touchdown pass with 5 minutes 19 seconds remaining for what proved the winning points.

Preston finished with only 80 yards passing, but three touchdowns.

Moorpark scored on its first possession, marching 80 yards on nine plays and capping the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run by Gil Carrillo. The extra-point kick was blocked.

The Raiders extended the lead to 9-0 on a 47-yard field goal by Steven Prchal, but Santa Barbara scored on the next play--a 79-yard pass play from DeGeorgia to wide receiver Mike Lyneis from Burbank High.

Preston then connected with wide receiver Alex Estrada for an 18-yard touchdown pass that put Moorpark ahead, 15-6, after one quarter.

The Vaqueros responded with a two-yard run by fullback Chad Marsalek early in the second quarter and a 22-yard field goal by Dan Harnish to take a 16-15 advantage at the half.