Valley Bowled Over by Moorpark, 38-22

It was late in the third quarter and running back Carl Richardson of Moorpark College was starting to tire.

So Coach Jim Bittner called on reserve Emory Holmes and he was up to the challenge.

In a little more than a quarter, the sophomore from Cleveland High rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown in 10 carries and the Raiders pulled away for a 38-22 victory over Valley in a Western State Conference Southern Division game at Valley.

The victory wrapped up a division title and an 11th consecutive bowl berth for Moorpark (9-1, 7-0).

As far as Holmes was concerned, he was simply satisfied to have the opportunity to lend a helping hand.

“I just felt I had to make a play for the team,” Holmes said. “Valley wanted to take our title away and I couldn’t let them do that.”

With the score tied, 14-14, late in the third quarter, it was a 71-yard run by Holmes that set up the go-ahead field goal for Moorpark. Kicker Geoffrey Marcus put the Raiders ahead with a 24-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter.

On Moorpark’s next possession, Holmes ran untouched for a 66-yard touchdown to give the Raiders breathing room.

Bittner said the victory will probably give the Raiders, ranked No. 4 in Southern California, a berth in the Strawberry Bowl on Dec. 5 against Cerritos.

Richardson rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown in 15 carries and the Raiders finished with 301 yards rushing.

The loss ended a frustrating season for Valley (4-6, 3-4), which was led by quarterback Eric Holtfreter and wide receiver Shaun Avalos. Holtfreter completed 22 of 30 passes for 293 yards and a touchdown and Avalos had nine catches for 95 yards.

Valley outgained Moorpark in offensive yards, 206-136, in the first half but had to settle for two field goals by Fernando Arias.

Moorpark quarterback Bryan Spencer completed only one of four passes in the first half.

Unfortunately for Valley, that completion was a 70-yard pass play to Jerome Riley for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.