Defense Greatest Ally of 10-0 Newbury Park

Arms were raised and high-fives exchanged early in the second quarter of Newbury Park High’s football opener against Hueneme.

When the celebration escalated into gratuitous chest thumping and back slapping, a group of senior Panther defensive players raced the length of the sideline in anger, shouting: “Remember Nogales.”

Newbury Park did not really need the warning--not against hapless Hueneme. The Panthers rolled, 73-6. Still, Newbury Park defenders played as if the score were tied. They had learned from experience.

Last season, the Panthers won the Marmonte League title but were bounced from the Southern Section playoffs in the first round, losing at home after building a 20-point lead in the first quarter. Newbury Park was trounced by Nogales, 50-36, and allowed more than 500 yards rushing.

Today, Newbury Park’s vastly improved defense is one of the most opportunistic and tenacious in the area, the playoff debacle providing motivation to work hard during the off-season.

And although the offense scores at a dizzying pace, Newbury Park’s quest for a section championship probably hinges on the defense. The Panthers’ road to the hoped-for Division III title begins with a first-round playoff game tonight at 7:30 at home against Leuzinger.

“Because of our offense, we went into a lot of games cocky last season, like we were going to blow everyone out,” senior defensive back Albert Reddick said. “But we learned a big lesson against Nogales. The things they did to us really shocked us.”

The Nobles demolished the Panthers’ defense with the force and thoroughness of a time bomb.

Two Nogales running backs each had more than 200 yards rushing and they combined for seven touchdowns. Moreover, Newbury Park allowed a whopping 516 yards--every one on the ground.

“We were so far ahead,” senior linebacker Rich Adams said, shaking his head in disbelief. “We all really thought the game was over, (but) our defense didn’t play for 48 minutes last season.

“It was humiliating, but after that game the entire defense made a commitment to never let something like that happen again.”

Embracing “Remember Nogales” as their rallying cry, the Panthers’ defensive players attacked the weight room. They put themselves through the drudgery of off-season conditioning without complaint.

“Sometimes we let down in games last season and hung our heads when teams scored on us,” said senior linebacker Justin Simo, one of four team captains. “After the Nogales game, we knew we couldn’t do that anymore if we wanted to win a (section) championship.

“Our intensity is a lot better this season because we’ve worked real hard all year to stay focused. I think it shows.”

It does.

The Panthers’ experienced defense--10 of 11 starters are seniors--has produced big results. Newbury Park is fourth among area Southern Section teams in scoring defense, allowing 109 points--a 10.9 per-game average. A year ago, the Panthers allowed 25.6 points a game.

Newbury Park has allowed 200 fewer rushing yards than at the same point last season. Overall, the Panthers yield an average of 250.4 yards; it was 275.4 a year ago.

The Panthers have held opponents under 10 points a game six times, including two shutouts. Last year, the Panthers had no shutouts.

Newbury Park has intercepted nine passes--three were returned for touchdowns--and has 33 sacks and 60 tackles for losses.

The Panthers’ defense is anchored by Adams and Simo, the starting inside linebackers. Simo, a two-year starter, leads the team with 117 tackles (74 solo, 43 assisted) and in tackles for losses (22). Adams, a three-year starter, has 102 tackles (52 solo).

Reddick, a two-year starter at strong safety, is a fierce run-stopper who also excels in pass coverage. He has 87 tackles (62 solo) and returned an interception 86 yards for a touchdown against Hueneme.

The impressive numbers have paid off in the win column. Newbury Park again won the Marmonte title and the Panthers completed their first 10-0 regular season. Newbury Park has been ranked No. 1 in The Times’ regional and Division III polls throughout the season and enters the playoffs as the top-seeded team in its division, yet another in a season of firsts.

Coach George Hurley credits the defense with much of the team’s success.

“No way do we have this type of season without our defense playing the way it has all year,” Hurley said. “We had problems stopping people at times last season, but when our defense hits the field, now they know they can stop people--and they do.”

Buena Coach Rick Scott agrees. In a 43-28 nonleague loss, Buena scored more points against Newbury Park than any team this season.

Senior tailback George Keiaho--second on the state’s all-time rushing list--gained 247 yards and scored three touchdowns in 39 carries. He was the only running back to gain more than 200 yards against the Panthers this season.

“They are tough,” Scott said. “They are a very active, scrappy bunch. They don’t have a lot of big guys but they stop things.

“They are kind of the ultimate ‘No-name’ defense.”

All-American quarterback Keith Smith is one of the Panther defense’s biggest fans.

Last season, Smith believed the Panthers had to score on every possession or risk losing. No such pressure this season, he said.

“Now I don’t have to pass for a lot of yards and touchdowns every game,” Smith said. “Even if the offense is having kind of a bad game, our defense can keep us in there until our offense comes around.”

If not for the defense, Newbury Park probably would have lost to Thousand Oaks.

As the Panther offense sputtered, the defense held firm. Finally, the offense righted itself and Newbury Park escaped with a 14-9 win, its narrowest victory of the season.

Simo is not sure if the defense could have made a similar stand last season. “We don’t get nervous like in the past,” he said. “And once we get ahead of teams, we try to bury them.”

Despite the unit’s strong play, lack of size up front (the linemen average about 6-foot, 200 pounds) could present problems in the playoffs.

Defensive coordinator Doug Dagan, however, is not worried.

“We’re taking the playoffs very personal,” he said. “Everyone knows the Newbury Park offense will score, now it’s up to the defense to help us get what we want.”