Plenty of Questions Remain in 28-24 Royal Loss

Royal High, which lost 19 starters from last year, had many questions going into its opener Friday night against San Marcos.

Many still remain after Royal lost to San Marcos, 28-24, at Moorpark College.

Royal rallied from a 14-0 first-quarter deficit and took a 24-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Jesse Garner’s 38-yard catch set up a one-yard touchdown run by Darion Stitt with just under seven minutes to play.

But the Highlanders couldn’t stop San Marcos, which drove downfield, converted three times on fourth down and scored on a two-yard pass from Rand Holdren to Det Hardy with 1 minute 34 seconds left.

The crucial play on the drive was a fake punt on fourth and 15 that resulted in a San Marcos first down.

Although Royal coaches warned their players of a possible fake, Cory Leholm hit Rueben Zuniga for a 33-yard gain to the Royal 16.

Stitt rushed for 62 yards in 11 carries and also scored on runs of three and four yards.

Christian Broussard, Royal’s top running back, was ineffective, gaining four yards in six carries. He left the game because of leg cramps in the third quarter.

Royal quarterback Paul Janousek completed 15 of 27 passes for 145 yards and threw three interceptions. Royal also lost two fumbles.

Garner caught three passes for 61 yards.

Danny Ramirez rushed for 120 yards in 33 carries for San Marcos.

Holdren completed 11 of 18 passes for 139 yards and staked San Marcos to a 14-0 lead with a five-yard run and a seven-yard pass to Leholm.

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Friday’s Yardstick

Measuring the top performances of area high school football players Friday:

PASSING

Steve McKeon, Hart: 12 for 20; 268 yards

Brian Paul, Moorpark: 10 for 18; 208 yards

Charles Merricks, Ch. Islands: 15 for 23; 161 yards

Rand Holdren, Royal: 11 for 18; 139 yards

Teohua Sanchez, St. Bon.: 14 for 23; 127 yards

RUSHING

Dante Clay, North Hollywood: 21 carries; 301 yards

Donavan Calhoun, Valencia: 24 for 253

Sam Paneno, La Canada: 15 for 243

Ted Iacenda, Hart: 19 for 221

Laffayette Bailey, Littlerock: 29 for 218

RECEIVING

David Burns, Moorpark: 6 catches; 129 yards

Byron Carnes, El Camino Real: 4 for 127

Ted Iacenda, Hart: 5 for 93

Russ Randolph, Oxnard: 6 for 91

Ryan Johnson, Paraclete: 5 for 50