HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Rio Mesa (2-5) faces neighboring Camarillo (5-2) tonight in a Pacific View League game that Rio Mesa Coach George Contreras expects to be closer than the teams’ records might indicate.

“I think we’re very similar,” Contreras said. “The difference has been, at the end of the game, [Camarillo] makes some plays.”

Camarillo’s victory last Friday against San Marcos is proof positive. The Royals were first and goal inside the Camarillo five-yard line with less than a minute to play. Consecutive Scorpion tackles for losses and a San Marcos fumble erased the threat and Camarillo survived, 18-13.

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San Marcos forfeited its five nonleague victories Thursday after discovering that three-year starter Jake Riskowski had already exhausted his athletic eligibility. Royal and Oxnard picked up victories, improving to 3-4 and 2-5, respectively.

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Starting tailback and cornerback Freddy Keiaho is out for 2-3 weeks because of a broken ankle, Coach Rick Scott of Buena (4-3, 2-0) said Thursday. Keiaho, who has rushed for 629 yards and six touchdowns, has a chipped bone in his ankle.

In addition, junior tailback D.J. Blackledge, who has rushed for 581 yards and seven touchdowns, has a sprained ankle and is questionable for the Channel League game tonight against Santa Barbara (5-2, 1-0). Starting receiver and defensive back Cody Murphy will not play tonight because of a bicep injury.

Staff writer Tris Wykes contributed to this notebook.