Nordhoff Takes Care of Calabasas, 10-6

The Calabasas High cheerleaders unfurled a brown and gold banner Friday that read “Frontier League Champs” but it’s Nordhoff that now has the inside track on the league crown after beating the Coyotes, 10-6.

The Rangers (7-0-1, 2-0 in league) scored their points in the first half and nailed down the victory with a superb defensive effort.

Calabasas (6-2, 2-1) scored on a nine-yard run by Robby Coppola with 4 minutes 50 seconds to play.

Calabasas was hindered by a patchwork offensive line. Starting left tackle Joe Baik is out with a broken right leg and starting right tackle Jon Ellinghouse left Friday’s game with a knee injury in the first quarter.

Nordhoff drove 59 yards in nine plays, eight of them runs, on its second possession for its first score. Kevin Zielsdorf bulled his way two yards for the touchdown.

The Rangers drove 73 yards in 12 plays in the second quarter and capped it with a 35-yard field goal by Matt Cresto as time expired on the half.

The teams punted after each of their first three possessions in the second half. Calabasas kicker David Rosenberg’s 39-yard field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter was wide right.

The Coyotes finally got a drive together with seven minutes to play, driving 57 yards in nine plays and scoring on Coppola’s run.

Coppola carried 23 times for 84 yards and a touchdown. Coyote quarterback Scott Quigley completed 13 of 27 passes for 143 yards and an interception. Kevin Wang caught 10 passes for 109 yards.

Zielsdorf carried 12 times for 64 yards and a touchdown.