Moorpark Does Just Enough for Victory

It was a case of just enough oomph to win for Moorpark College and missed opportunities for Pierce in their football game Saturday night, but a little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing.

That’s the way Moorpark must look at its 26-20 victory in a Western State Conference game that opened North Division play for both teams.

But Moorpark (4-2, 4-1) did just enough things well, and was aided by several Pierce mistakes and misfires to start its challenge for a third consecutive divisional title.

Sophomore quarterback Damian Delfino completed 13 of 17 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns, both to receiver Isaiah Mustafa, and running back Gary Clemons led all rushers with 138 yards and a touchdown in 26 carries.

Pierce (1-5, 1-4), in its first season in the North Division after switching from the South in a realignment of the conference, had plenty of chances to win, but failed to capitalize despite a marvelous effort by quarterback David Muir.

Muir completed 28 of 53 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns, but the Brahmas broke down on offense in several key situations.

There were, for instance, missed field-goal attempts of 39 and 25 yards by Doug Sidwell.

And the Brahmas wasted a 71-yard kickoff return by Ron McKelvey to the Moorpark 24 midway through the fourth quarter with the Raiders ahead, 26-14.

Pierce could not advance past the Moorpark 19 on the possession.

Both teams scored on their first possessions.

After the opening kickoff, the Raiders drove 73 yards in four plays--and only 34 seconds--to take a 7-0 lead on a 14-yard run up the middle by Clemons.

The two key plays in the drive were a 22-yard pass from Delfino to Mustafa on the first play of the game and a 35-yard run by Fred Polito on second and eight from the Pierce 49.

Pierce responded on the ensuing possession, although the Brahmas were aided by a personal foul against Moorpark on fourth and 10 from their 28.

On the first play after the penalty, Muir found wide receiver Rodney Williams open in the left flat for a 57-yard touchdown that tied the score.

A field goal by Steve Sabbe midway through the quarter gave Moorpark a 10-7 advantage.

The Raiders then capitalized on a huge Pierce mistake with 28 seconds remaining in the half.

On first down from the Brahma 23, Muir rolled left and fumbled while being sacked by David Acosta.

Eddie Flores recovered and returned the ball to the Pierce one. The Brahmas held, however, and Moorpark settled for a 20-yard field goal by Sabbe with four seconds left before the half.