Southern Section Lauds 7 From Area

Seven players from the region, including three from Newbury Park High, have been selected to the All-Southern Section team by the Amateur Athletic Foundation’s panel of sportswriters.

The team, announced Tuesday, is chosen from among the top players from all 11 divisions.

Quarterback Keith Smith, receiver Leodes Van Buren and linebacker Justin Simo gave Newbury Park the largest contingent on the team. Those seniors were joined by Buena senior running back George Keiaho, Nordhoff senior kicker Sean Leach, Westlake junior receiver Billy Miller and Antelope Valley senior linebacker Keith Schiele. Miller is one of only four juniors selected.

Smith (6-foot, 180 pounds) and Van Buren (6-1, 190) formed a record-setting passing combination that helped lead Newbury Park to a 14-0 record and a section championship.

Smith, the Division III player of the year, is the state’s all-time leading passer and No. 2 nationally with 9,971 yards. Smith completed 66% of his passes this season for a state record 4,244 yards with 40 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Van Buren, a member of the All-Southern Section team as a junior, is the state’s all-time leader with 269 receptions and 4,446 yards receiving. He ranks second nationally in each category. He also led the state in both categories this season, catching 101 passes for 1,658 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Simo (6-1, 200) was the Panthers’ leader on defense with a team-high 160 tackles--24 for losses.

Buena’s Keiaho (5-9, 200) is the second-leading rusher in state history with 6,585 yards. He rushed for a Ventura County-leading 2,248 yards and 30 touchdowns as the Bulldogs advanced to the semifinals of the Division III playoffs.

Nordhoff’s Leach was the region’s most consistent kicker. He made seven of 11 field-goal attempts and 33 of 37 conversion kicks.

Westlake’s Miller (6-4, 205) finished third in the state in receptions with 82 for 1,451 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Antelope Valley’s Schiele (6-0, 210), The Times’ Valley lineman of the year, helped Antelope Valley reach the Division I semifinals.