This Week in Sports

Acorn Sports WriterCarpinteria (2-2-1)
at Oak Park (4-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday

This is the most important game of the regular season for both teams. The winner will end up no worse than second place in the Tri Valley League and secure a home game against a weaker first-round opponent in the playoffs. The winner proably will meet St. Bonaventure for the league championship.

To open the league campaign against Carpinteria was a concern for Oak Park earlier this season. With their emotional victory over Nordhoff last week, this game is scheduled at the perfect time for the Eagles. Carpinteria hasn’t won a game in three weeks against tough opponents.

Their top player, All CIF linebacker Chris Gocong, is still recovering from a serious injury. If Gocong plays, his return will be earlier than anticipated.

The Eagle offense made great strides this past week. Eric Testan ran extremely well. Quarterback Josh Walker complemented his running back perfectly and Monte McNair and Chad Kessler, his top targets, proved to be threats on every pass.

Carpinteria is a running machine that relies on the skill of option quarterback Gordy Hernandez, who has rushed for more than 500 yards this season.

Hernandez was an All TVL performer last season when he passed for 1,200 yards and ran for another 800. The Eagle defense has been strong against the run.

Oak Park should be able to seize this opportunity.

Royal (4-1, 1-0)

at Thousand Oaks (0-5, 0-2)

7 p.m. Friday

Thousand Oaks is in trouble. The Lancers’ 7-3 loss to Moorpark last week was a huge setback. T.O. has regressed from possible title contender to being the underdog for the fourth and last playoff spot.

Earlier this season, Division XI Nordhoff scored 26 points in handing Moorpark its first loss. Division XI Oak Park dominated Nordhoff last week.

The Lancer offense is moribund, averaging less than 265 yards of offense per game. The Royal defense has dominated four of their five opponents.

This isn’t a good combination.

Moorpark (2-3, 1-1)

at Westlake (4-1, 2-0)

7 p.m. Friday

Moorpark is surviving well in the Marmonte League. Two years in the league and they have two playoff appearances.

Last week Moorpark took another huge step by upsetting Thousand Oaks, 7-3.

But the Musketeers are no match for Westlake in this game. In two weeks against Marmonte opponents they’ve been able to muster just two touchdowns. Ventura pounded Moorpark 41-14 a few weeks back.

Westlake will do the same thing here.

Simi Valley (0-5, 0-1)

at Agoura (3-2, 1-1)

7 p.m. Friday

Wow!

Did you feel the earthquake last Friday at about 9:45 p.m.?

The epicenter was reportedly in Agoura Hills, site of the Chargers’ 23-20 upset over perennial Marmonte League power Newbury Park. The victory was an earth-shaking event as far as local football is concerned.

The Chargers woke up the next morning and realized that they’d be favored in every game until they meet Westlake for the last game of the regular season.

Kind of scary way up there, isn’t it?

St. Bonaventure (5-0)

at Calabasas (2-3)

7 p.m. Friday

Want to take a look at one of the best running backs in the state? Buy a ticket for this game. Lorenzo Booker would be a star running back at any school, large or small. The shifty junior has already rushed for more than 3,000 yards in his career.

His 13.7 yards per carry equals Tyler Ebell of Ventura against similar opponents. He’s fast, very quick, has great instincts and runs full speed even when he’s changing directions.

Calabasas has improved and will compete for a Frontier League championship, but Booker will run wild.