Royal Goes on the Road for Victory Over Oxnard

It appears the second place Marmonte League team is better than the Pacific View League tri-champion, but barely.

James Cox threw two touchdown passes to lead Royal High past host Oxnard, 14-6, in the first round of the Southern Section Division IV playoffs.

Cox, who completed eight of 15 passes for 192 yards, threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wiesenhan with 51 seconds remaining in the second quarter to give the Highlanders a 7-6 halftime lead. The score capped a six-play, 87-yard drive.

Wiesenhan had two receptions, both during the scoring drive, for 68 yards..

After a scoreless third quarter, Cox connected with Greg Morris on a 20-yard pass play for a touchdown with 6:54 remaining in the game.

Morris rushed for 68 yards in 16 carries. The touchdown catch was his only reception.

The Yellowjackets (4-7) were led by Jason Parker, who rushed for 173 yards in 30 carries, including a 48-yard touchdown run with 3:08 in the first quarter. Parker’s interception and 16-yard return set up the scoring drive.

Parker also had a fumble recovery in his end zone to stop one Royal drive and completed one of two passes for 24 yards.

Oxnard had one more possession when trailing, 14-6. The Yellowjackets drove to their 45-yard line, but on fourth-and-10, Parker was stopped half a yard short of a first down on a draw play.

The Highlanders (7-3-1), who out-gained Oxnard 317 yards to 235, took possession and ran out the clock.

The Highlanders had two sacks and an interception by Robert Davis.