The Acorn’s High School Football Game of the Week

Rio Mesa Spartans (2-0) at Agoura Chargers (2-0)

SMITTEN-Fans of the Agoura Chargers have been very enthusiastic about the play of QB Cory Smits, who has completed 76 percent of his passes and thrown zero INTs.

Tonight, 7 p.m.

By Kyle Jorrey

jorrey@theacorn.com

The Agoura Chargers entered the 2004 season with the attitude that this year they were the team to beat in Marmonte—and through two games they’ve played that role better than Al Pacino did Michael Corleone in "The Godfather."

After dismantling Buena, 38-16, in week one, and blowing by Camarillo, 35-14, in week two, the Chargers look to close out their non-league schedule with an unblemished record for the second season in a row as they take on Rio Mesa tonight at 7 p.m.

Going up against a Spartan team that’s off to an equally blazing start, the Chargers and head coach Charlie Wegher know that tonight’s matchup with a team favored to win the Pacific View League title should go a long way in gauging Agoura’s early season progression.

"We are excited to get them now because we can test ourselves without being too concerned about winning or losing," Wegher said. "We will either expose the weaknesses we have, or, if we don’t have any, improve our confidence. It is a win-win situation."

Wegher, who was in attendance for Rio Mesa’s 17-3 win over Newbury Park last Friday, said the Spartans are 2-0 for a good reason.

"They are scary. They are very fast, very physical, and they have some kids with some size," Wegher said. "But the one thing that sticks out to me is their speed—they really fly around the football field."

The Rio Mesa defense, led by senior safety Kevin Thomas and his 38-inch vertical leap, has held their opponents to just 13 points in two games, registering six interceptions in the process—three returned for TDs. Wegher said a lot of those turnovers are results of the intense heat the Spartans have been putting on opposing QBs.

"Part of the problem with Newbury Park is that (Rio Mesa) was able to get a lot of pressure on the quarterback and make him make off-balance throws," Wegher said. "Hopefully with our protection scheme we will be able to give Cory (Smits) more time and space to throw accurately. If we do that, I have a feeling Cory will be just fine."

In his first two starts, Smits has played nearly flawless football, having yet to throw an interception while picking apart opponents’ defenses with an intimidating amount of confidence and poise. He’ll get help from wideouts Kyle McDonnell and J.T. Wright, who have filled in for injured receiver Mark Lawrence (hand) beautifully. McDonnell has caught four touchdown passes already this season.

"I think it will be a good thing for our passing offense. It will be a test," Smits said. "Hopefully, we’ll come out and play like we have been and get the job done. But we are going to have to step it up."

Attending a number of passing leagues over the summer, Smits has gotten to observe Thomas’s uncanny athletic abilities firsthand. And though he will be aware of where Thomas in on the field, Smits said the Rio Mesa secondary is more than just a one-man show.

"He’s a great athlete, but he’s not their only guy," the quarterback said. "You can’t just pick a side and throw away from him because they’ve got good guys everywhere."

Still suffering from various injuries, the Chargers will play this week without the services of Lawrence, starting lineman Pat Novack and senior lineman Miki Kupan. While Lawrence and Novack are expected back soon, Kupan’s Charger career ended last week with a broken leg in the Camarillo game. Both players and coaches said Kupan, who had filled in tremendously for Novack in two games, will be a huge loss.