Chip Shot Keeps Moorpark Hot With 23-21 Victory Over Royal

It was a chip shot. A gimme. Brian Orta figured it was no big deal.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything,” Orta said. “It was just another kick.”

But the Moorpark High junior’s 21-yard field goal capped a furious rally that gave his team a 23-21 victory over Royal in a Marmonte League game Friday night.

And that short kick, coming with 41 seconds remaining, extended Moorpark’s Ventura County-record winning streak to 19 games before a raucous home crowd.

“We went from the brink of defeat to the brink of victory,” Moorpark Coach Ron Wilford said. “We believed in what we were doing. These kids believe in themselves.”

Their belief was sorely tested on a night when Royal (1-5, 0-3 in league play) came up with the offensive punch it had been missing all season.

After scoring back-to-back touchdowns late in the game, the Highlanders were leading, 21-14, and looking like winners. Then, with 3:07 remaining, the Musketeers’ comeback began.

First came a four-yard pass from quarterback Mark Gressman that found its way through double-coverage and into the arms of Gail Martin for a touchdown. With the score 21-20, Wilford asked his players if they wanted to go for a two-point conversion.

“They wanted to go for the win,” the coach said. “We’re not here to baby the record.”

The attempt failed as running back Art Garcia was stopped short of the goal line. Once again, the game appeared to be decided when Royal recovered Moorpark’s onside kick with 2:56 remaining.

But on the next play from scrimmage, Highlander running back Randy Plue fumbled. It was cruel irony for Plue, who had 17 carries for 89 yards and a three-yard touchdown run that gave his team the 21-14 lead.

For Moorpark defensive back Jeremy Shoop, it was a gift. “I saw the ball on the ground,” Shoop said. “My team needed that ball.”

Shoop scooped it up and Moorpark (6-0, 3-0) followed with another dramatic play from Gressman, who completed nine of 13 passes for 110 yards. The senior quarterback lofted a third-down pass to Martin, who sneaked behind the secondary and carried the ball down to the 10.

Garcia, who gained 93 yards on 19 carries, hammered out a few more yards before Orta entered.

A stunned Royal team called timeout.

“They were trying to psyche me out,” Orta said. “It didn’t work.”