Defense sparks Oak Park to 21-7 win over Verdugo Hills

MICHAEL COONS/The Acorn DETERMINED RUNNER-Mike Christensen of Oak Park pushes his way through Verdugo Hills defenders for a touchdown during Friday's game at Oak Park. The Eagles won the game, 21-7.

The Oak Park Eagles survived four turnovers and a rough opening night of penalties to beat a non-league opponent, Verdugo Hills, last Friday night, 21-7. Senior tailbacks Anthony Monteleone and Mike Christensen accounted for most of ground attack as the Eagles unveiled a potent wishbone offense.

Led by senior defensive end Andrew Henggeler, the Eagles defense controlled one of L.A. County’s top running backs, Ryen Carew. Containing him was critical to the Eagles victory. Carew swivels through defenses like a greasy shopping cart wheel. He gained over 100 yards but was held to just one touchdown.

Carew transferred to Verdugo Hills at the beginning of the school year after being removed from Sylmar’s team for ‘disciplinary reasons.’ As a junior, Carew gained more than 2,000 yards last season and scored 21 touchdowns.

Having learned about the transfer only a week prior to the game, co-head coach Brian Crum put together a game plan to stop the Dons’ star tailback. "We just wanted to make sure that our guys up front (defensive line) took control of the line of scrimmage and let our linebackers run," said Crum. Referring to Carew, he said, "He’s the real deal. I mean there’s no doubt about it—a little ‘dipsy do,’ and he’s got a good motor to start and stop. We just wanted to pin him in as much as possible. We did a pretty good job."

Offensive coordinator and longtime head coach Dick Billingsley was reasonably pleased with his team’s offensive performance despite the turnovers. On almost any opening night, nerves contribute to some mistakes, and the Eagles coughed up four fumbles. All four "occurred at inopportune times, which I think held the score down," said Billingsley.

"When you put the ball in the air like we do, either throwing or option, you’re going to have some bad pitches and some dropped stuff. I was really concerned about our judgment on a couple of pitches. But that all breaks down to execution and reviewing films looking for mistakes. I thought the offensive line did a hell of a job. We ran the option tonight probably better than we have in a long time. So when that happens, I’m not real concerned about the turnovers."

The Eagles first drive of the second half was their best as Christensen and Monteleone ripped off 40- and 33-yard runs, respectively. Christensen punched in the Eagles’ second touchdown with a six-yard run, making the score 14-0 after senior quarterback and kicker Nolan McNair’s extra points.

Verdugo Hills momentarily beeped on the "We Came to Play" radar with a one-yard dive by Carew on its next possession, making the score 14-7. Carew broke loose for 50 yards on the first play of that drive.

The Eagles clinched the victory after recovering Carew’s fumble on the Dons’ 13-yard line. McNair connected with junior tight end Casey Webb on a six-yard touchdown pass with 8:04 left in the game.

McNair opened the scoring with an 11-yard keeper off left tackle with 8:19 remaining in the first half. McNair’s tuck and run was an indicator of Verdugo Hills respect for outside pitchmen Monetleone and Christensen as the left side of the Verdugo defense let McNair escape inside.

Both teams––specifically, running backs Monteleone and Carew–– had punt returns for TDs, but on both occasions, they were negated after illegal use of the hands penalties.

Looking to tomorrow night’s road game against Calabasas, Billingsley said the Eagles needed to "eliminate the turnovers and stupid penalties" if they want to beat the Coyotes.