Crook, Watkins Lead East in Ventura County Game

With two of the East team’s top players having bowed out of tonight’s Ventura County high school all-star football game at Moorpark High, Marmonte League quarterbacks Kevin Crook and Jeremie Watkins will take center stage.

Newbury Park quarterback Keith Smith will not play in the game because he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers last week in the fifth round of baseball’s amateur draft and does not want to risk injury.

Teammate Leodes Van Buren, a wide receiver, will not play because he is awaiting trial on a weapons charge. The 18-year-old has been charged with firing a gunshot into his girlfriend’s Newbury Park home April 8.

Crook completed 173 passes for 2,736 yards and 21 touchdowns last season for Westlake. Simi Valley’s Watkins completed 118 passes for 1,669 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The West, coached by Buena’s Rick Scott, will feature George Keiaho, a four-year starter at Buena and one of the state’s top running backs.

Keiaho (5-foot-9, 215 pounds), who will play at Washington, rushed for 2,145 yards and 28 touchdowns in 290 carries last season.

Rio Mesa’s Donald DiDomizio and Santa Barbara’s Brad Brunett are the West quarterbacks. DiDomizio, who was injured much of the season, rushed for 472 yards and eight touchdowns.

“Their team is very large and we’re strong at the skill positions,” said Newbury Park’s George Hurley, the East team’s coach. “I think our team is also quicker and better at passing.”

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children.