Moorpark Fattens Up on Harbor

Never mind their thoroughly convincing victory over a hapless opponent.

Never mind their huge game next Saturday against the nation’s top-rated team, a game with championship implications.

All the Moorpark College football players wanted everyone to know after their 51-0 rout of Harbor in a Western State Conference South Division game Saturday night was this:

“Tri-tip, baby,” they yelled in unison as they patted each other repeatedly. “Tri-tip.”

The Raiders (7-1, 6-1 in conference play, 4-0 in division play) could taste the barbecue already. They could smell the steaks they’ll get Monday after practice for recording a shutout. It’s a longstanding tradition at Moorpark and one these Raiders definitely appreciate.

“We [coaches] cook it ourselves, so it shouldn’t be too [costly],” Coach Jim Bittner said. “One year we had like five of them.”

That dinner might be the last loose affair for the Raiders in the next few days.

After that, it probably will be serious business in preparation for that clash at home against unbeaten Valley, ranked No. 1 in the nation and the state.

“We set up the match between us and Valley,” Bittner said. “That should be one of the most exciting junior college games in the area in a long time.”

The one against Harbor (2-5, 2-5, 0-3) was something else altogether.

Moorpark dominated from the first drive and led by halftime, 42-0. The Raiders had 409 yards and held Harbor to 52, including four rushing. The Raiders had 26 first downs and Harbor had six.

“We came out and basically did what we wanted to do and they couldn’t do anything about it,” said quarterback Taj Lewis, who played only in the first half and completed four of eight for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

His backup, Dabio Belote, completed five of seven for 87 yards.

The Raiders scored on their first six possessions.