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The Acorn Camarillo Acorn Moorpark Acorn Simi Valley Acorn Thousand Oaks Acorn |
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The Acorn's High School Football Game of the Week
Thousand Oaks Lancers (4-0) at Agoura Chargers (3-1) Friday, 7 p.m.
Agoura is fresh off its first win over Westlake since 1995. Last weekend at AHS, Westlake place kicker Stephen Murphy's 41yard field goal attempt in the waning seconds caromed off the back post and was no good, giving AHS a highly emotional, yet controversial, 23-22 victory. Video replays show the kick hitting the gooseneck post behind the crossbar and, according to CIFSouthern Section director of communications Thom Simmons, the field goal should have counted if that was the case. Since losing to Ventura 27-21 in their first game of the season, the Chargers have won three in a row. Agoura is averaging 35 points per game in its three wins. Thousand Oaks, meanwhile, had little trouble getting past Simi Valley on the road in Week 4. Senior running back John Lister posted 199 rushing yards and scored three times, and the Lancer defense held Simi's offense to only 120 total yards in a 35-7 whitewashing. At 40, TOHS is the only undefeated team remaining in the Marmonte League. Agoura, Royal, Moorpark and Newbury Park are all 3-1. The Lancers were ranked second in the latest CIF-Southern Section Northern Division coaches' poll. Agoura was unranked. How Agoura responds after devoting so much energy both mentally and physically against Westlake remains to be seen. After beating WHS, Charger senior linebacker David Claxton said his team always take it one game at a time, regardless of the opponent. "We don't care who we play; we just focus on ourselves and the mistakes we make," Claxton said. "And that's what we're going to do against T.O.—we'll focus on our practices, on ourselves, and not on T.O. And, then, hopefully we can take it to 'em on Friday night." AHS head coach Charlie Wegher said it'll be a challenge for his team to put the Westlake game in the rearview mirror. "They have to understand that our win was a great thing, but it only lasts until Monday's practice," Wegher said. "Hopefully they're mature enough to handle it." While Lister, his hardworking linemen and quarterback Ian Shultis have carried the TOHS offense thus far, the Lancer defense has played exceptionally well, too. Thousand Oaks has held three of its opponents to 14 points or less. The Lancers rank third in league with 51 points allowed. "Whenever you can return your front four and they're a year better, and you return your top two tacklers—middle linebacker Mitchell Korey and weak-side safety Ryan Thompson—you're going to be in good shape," Thousand Oaks head coach Mike Leibin said. This week, the Lancers' focus will be on containing Agoura quarterback Justin Arias, running back Lucky Radley and a solid group of wide receivers. In addition, the Chargers' offensive line, led by USC-commit Kevin Graf, is big, tough and physical. Leibin knows the Lancers will have their hands full trying to match Agoura's bulk in the trenches.
"They are a good offensive front," Leibin said. "Our front four has a big challenge ahead." Outlook In many respects, these two teams are very mucthe same. Both have talented signal-callers, explosive running backs and tough defenses. Behind a bulky offensive line, Agoura may possean advantage in the trenches, but TOHS has beemore consistent overall. Expect a tough battle. Weekend schedule Westlake at Calabasas Friday, 7 p.m. Royal at Newbury Park Friday, 7 p.m. Simi Valley at Moorpark Friday, 7 p.m. Camarillo at Oak Park Friday, 7:30 p.m. Grace Brethren vs. Bishop Diego Friday, 7:30 p.m.
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