Camarillo Turned Inside-Out by Pierson of Oxnard, 28-6

Camarillo High got its fill of Oxnard fullback Chad Pierson on Friday night, when the burly senior led the Yellowjackets to a 28-6 victory at Oxnard High.

Pierson, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior, had 90 yards and two touchdowns in 10 carries.

From his outside linebacker spot, he consistently harassed Camarillo’s Garrett Valencia and his sack of the quarterback and a subsequent fumble recovery and return helped turn the game Oxnard’s way late in the first quarter.

Billed as the blocking back for his more-touted backfield mate, tailback Desmond Davis, Pierson was modest in the spotlight but admitted he enjoyed himself.

“Me getting the ball isn’t that big a deal,” Pierson said. “I’ll block, I’ll carry, I just want to win and make the playoffs this year.”

Last season, the Yellowjackets appeared headed for the Channel League title but forfeited eight games because of the illegal transfer of defensive back Adrian Maciel.

“We had a good, balanced attack,” Oxnard Coach Wes Morimune said. “Desmond didn’t have a big game but Chad did, so now teams have to worry about us inside and outside.”

Oxnard primarily used Joey Rivas at quarterback, though Maciel saw some time. Rivas completed four of nine passes for 45 yards and a touchdown.

Valencia took a beating and completed only eight of 25 passes for 183 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Davis rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown in 24 carries and Eric Swanger caught five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown.

John Howe rushed 17 times for 55 yards for Camarillo, defending Southern Section Division III champion.

Oxnard led, 14-6, at halftime and its kickoff to start the second half bounced off Scorpion return man Mark Hensley and was recovered at the 25-yard line by the Yellowjackets’ Chris O’Brien. Four plays later, Rivas hit Swanger on a 29-yard touchdown pass play.

Oxnard scored again late in the third quarter on Pierson’s one-yard run.

The Yellowjackets took the opening kickoff 63 yards before turning the ball over on downs at Camarillo’s 17.

The Scorpions answered by driving to the Oxnard 34, but on second and 10, Valencia was sacked by Pierson and fumbled. Pierson scooped the ball up and rambled 59 yards before being tackled by Howe.

On its fourth try inside the Camarillo five, Oxnard scored when Pierson ran in from the two.

Camarillo got to within 7-6 when Valencia hit Bryon Juell with a slant pass that turned into a 98-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.

Oxnard scored with 49 yards left in the half on Davis’ four-yard run.