Newbury Park Makes a Royal Escape, 26-23

Top-ranked Newbury Park High survived its biggest scare of the season when Nick Czernek completed a six-yard touchdown pass to Paul Sanford with 20 seconds to play, giving the Panthers a 26-23 victory over Royal in a Marmonte League game Friday night at Royal.

“Royal kicked our butt for 46 minutes,” Newbury Park Coach George Hurley said. “But we had just enough offense and a lot of heart when it counted.”

The Panthers (8-0, 5-0 in league play) were trailing, 23-19, but forced Royal to punt with 1:53 remaining. Czernek marched Newbury Park 75 yards in 11 plays.

Russell Thomas and Sanford made receptions of 25 of 23 yards during the drive, which was kept alive by Jake Farrel’s five-yard reception on fourth down at the Royal 20.

Czernek passed for 216 yards, completing 19 of 41 passes with one pass intercepted.

Sanford caught seven passes for 88 yards. Farrel had eight receptions for 76 yards and Mike Simo rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown in 12 carries.

Bryant Phipps put Royal (4-4, 1-4) ahead, 23-19, on a 10-yard scoring run with 8:50 to play.

Phipps rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns in 17 carries. Steve Sheehan added 80 yards and a touchdown in 20 carries.