Passing the test




LOOKING AHEAD—Westlake High’s Reno Dubreuil gallops with the ball after making a catch at the Conejo Classic Passing Tournament.

LOOKING AHEAD—Westlake High’s Reno Dubreuil gallops with the ball after making a catch at the Conejo Classic Passing Tournament.

It’s only June, but local high school football players approached the Conejo Classic Passing Tournament like the Super Bowl.

Players didn’t hold anything back at the 7-on-7 passing tournament hosted by Westlake, Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park high schools last weekend.

Perennial powerhouses Oaks Christian and Westlake made the final four, with the Lions falling to Alemany in the final.

“The way we play out here can be indicative of how our season goes,” Westlake wide receiver Alex Egurbide said. “You want to give it your all and show them you have the upper hand.”

Seven of 10 Marmonte teams participated in the Conejo Classic. Marmonte outfits Moorpark, Calabasas and St. Bonaventure did not play. Oak Park, Camarillo and Rio Mesa joined the fray at the two-day tournament.

Here’s a closer look at Conejo Classic highlights:

WESTLAKE

WARRIORS

When Westlake star quarterback Justin Moore decided to stop playing football, the Warriors had a void to fill.

Neil Uskali hopes to be the new guy under center.

Uskali, a frontrunner for the WHS starting quarterback position, silenced the critics with an aerial assault on defenses all weekend long.

One of Uskali’s best performances at the Conejo Classic was against crosstown rival Oaks Christian. Uskali, a senior-to-be quarterback, found the end zone on nearly every possession.

“It’s a big step coming in for (Moore’s) spot, but I’m learning and getting better,” said Uskali, whose team went 6-1 during the two-day tournament.

Quarterback Danny Hong, a transfer from Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, didn’t take any snaps against Oaks Christian. Hong’s also in the mix to start at quarterback.

Junior-to-be Alex Egurbide was a major target for Uskali.

Westlake’s version of Detroit Lion Calvin Johnson, the 6-foot-4 Egurbide caught almost everything thrown in his direction, punishing the Lion defensive backs.

“He’s a stud,” Uskali said. “I look forward to passing it to him this year.”

As a sophomore, Egurbide only caught 10 passes with three touchdowns. Egurbide said he expects to have a bigger role this fall.

In related news, defensive lineman Tony Mekari verbally committed to the University of Arizona, according to Westlake head coach Jim Benkert.

OAK PARK

EAGLES

Oak Park has a new 6-foot-2 wide receiver. There’s just one issue—he’s never played high school football.

After helping the Oak Park boys’ volleyball team win a CIF-Southern Section Division 2 championship this spring, seniorto be Erik Tamiyasu has taken his talents to the gridiron.

“It’s my first time doing this, so I’m learning and getting chemistry with everybody,” Tamiyasu said.

Although this tournament didn’t feature tackling, Tamiyasu said he can already see how physical football is compared to volleyball.

“It’s a lot different, but I like the contact,” Tamiyasu said.

Tamiyasu admitted he doesn’t know all the routes yet, but facing different defenses in the passing tournament helped him progress.

Tamiyasu said volleyball helped his transition into football.

“You have to have a lot of heart playing in both sports,” he said. “Teamwork and communication is also important in both sports.”

AGOURA

CHARGERS

The Chargers are staying busy this summer.

The Conejo Classic was Agoura’s fourth 7-on-7 passing tournament this offseason.

Head coach Charlie Wegher said his team improved on both sides of the ball.

Wegher said he was impressed with the play of quarterback Nick Cerreta, who’s in the mix for the starting spot.

Junior-to-be wide receiver Zach Miller said the passing tournaments will benefit the Chargers in the long run.

“They’re all different, but all of them are very exciting,” he said. “The different variety of teams with all the different formation will definitely prepare us.”

OAKS CHRISTIAN

LIONS

Oaks Christian still isn’t quite over its loss to Westlake in the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division championship last year.

Lions quarterback Brandon Dawkins wanted to send a message to the Warriors.

“We want to put fear in their hearts,” Dawkins said of facing Westlake in the tournament. “We want to show them it’s not going to be another easy season. It’s going to be a challenge.”

Things didn’t go as planned for Dawkins.

In the first game, Oaks Christian sputtered on offense and the defense struggled to slow down Westlake’s receivers.

“We didn’t come out well and we didn’t execute,” said Dawkins, who has been offered scholarships to Notre Dame and Utah this summer.

“We’ll bounce back.”

Dawkins, who’s entering his second season as the starting quarterback, said the offense hasn’t changed too much with new head coach Jeff Woodruff.

“We have a new coach but everything is the same, he hasn’t changed anything,” Dawkins said. “Everything is very similar. We still have the same offensive coordinator (Casey Clausen).”

On the scouting front, wide receiver Francis Owusu (Stanford) and linebacker Cameron Judge (UCLA) verbally committed to colleges.

THOUSAND OAKS

LANCERS

Quarterback Clark Abourisk draws attention of Division I schools, and Andrew Van Voy is a fast and big tight end in the mold of Rob Gronkowski.

AJ Sheehan, however, showed he is ready to be Thousand Oaks’ No. 1 wide receiver after starting at safety last fall.

He caught multiple touchdown passes against Eastlake. He consistently gained separation from defensive backs, often at the line of scrimmage, with an assortment of killer shake-and-bake moves. He displayed the skill to beat defenders in one-on-one situations.

“I’m not so much fast as quick,” said Sheehan, who also stars on the TOHS baseball team. “I just want to be a little more consistent catching the ball every time.”

When Thousand Oaks and Camarillo battled each other, the physical play kicked up a notch. The teams play each other when the final score really counts Sept. 7 at Camarillo.

The Lancers wanted to “show (Camarillo) that we’re physical and strong,” Sheehan said.

Although Abourisk is entrenched as the starter under center, backup Case Cookus looked good in the passing tournament.

Cookus, a junior-to-be, also plays baseball and basketball.

“I think he’s going to be really good,” Sheehan said of Cookus.

NEWBURY PARK

PANTHERS

Newbury Park has struggled in the Marmonte the past two seasons, winning a combined four league games.

The Conejo Classic gave the Panthers a refreshing boost.

“Playing tough teams like Alemany and Rio Mesa will prepare us for Marmonte teams,” seniorto be tight end Kurt McCormack said. “They’re good teams with good defenses and that will get us ready (for the upcoming season).”

McCormack used his size and strength to create plays in the middle of the field.

Junior-to-be wide receiver George Toki stretched out the field with his speed.

Toki didn’t think his performance was a big deal, however.

“It’s a different story once you get the pads on,” he said. “I just want to get the feel of different defenses.”

ROYAL

HIGHLANDERS

Royal’s defense is loaded with ball hawks.

Against Eastlake on Friday, the Highlanders were active batting balls down and preventing wideouts from making any big plays.

“We covered well,” said Royal safety James Cummings. “We made them throw the ball late over the middle and throw little stuff.

“We have to keep learning this summer. We have to stay close as a family and stay strong out there. We can’t give up big plays.”

Cummings deflected two passes despite playing with a sprained thumb.

Wide receivers Kyle Jaeger and Alex Reynoso showed flashes of brilliance catching passes from quarterback Anthony Couch.

Jaeger said Couch, a tall lefthander, has made major strides since rejoining the team in May. Couch played football as a freshman and sophomore but didn’t suit up last year.

“He came in really rusty,” said Jaeger, a returning starter at outside linebacker. “He’s made huge progress in the last month. He looked great today.”

SIMI VALLEY

PIONEERS

Travis Miller looks like a lineman.

That much is true. He also plays tight end, and he plays the position like a pro.

Miller, however, doesn’t care where he lines up.

“I’ll play anywhere,” said the 6-foot-1, 272-pound incoming senior. “You tell me where to play, I’ll play.”

Miller, arguably the biggest football player at the tourney, hauled in multiple touchdowns on crossing patterns.

Miller played tight end during his sophomore season, but he moved to left tackle last fall.

“We needed a left tackle,” said Miller, who also plays on the defensive line. “I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll play.’ I just like playing football.”

Miller’s quick feet and vertical leap make him a tough cover for any Pioneers opponent.

CAMARILLO

SCORPIONS

Corbin Covey is on the comeback trail.

Covey, who will be a senior in the fall, missed six games in 2011 with a broken left ankle.

At the Conejo Classic, Covey looked like a man on a mission, undeterred by the previous injury or the bloody bandage under his eye.

The Scorpion was aggressive on both sides of the ball. He caught three touchdown passes against Thousand Oaks on the first day of the tourney.

“I’m 100 percent right now,” Covey said. “I’m trying to get bigger and stronger.”

Since Covey will likely start two ways—he also lines up at cornerback—he’s continuing to build up his endurance. Covey ran sharp routes and displayed soft hands on bullet throws from quarterback Travis Valdez.

Valdez said he was impressed with Covey’s relentlessness.

“The way he competes is ridiculous,” Valdez said. “He goes so hard every single play.”

RIO MESA

SPARTANS

The Rio Mesa defense was fast, shifty and hairy.

With headbands holding back their long locks, Matt Espinoza, Keith Kemper and Gabriel Duongtran moved quickly to the ball, breaking up numerous passes and snagging interceptions during last weekend’s passing tournament.

The Spartan defenders, however, don’t want to be known for their pretty boy looks. They want to be known for their defensive skills.

“We want that to be our thing,” said Espinoza, a linebacker with long brown curly hair. “We’re just trying to come out here, trying to compete with everybody and get better every game we play.”

On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Kadel Brown didn’t take the Conejo Classic lightly.

“I take it serious because you never know if someone might step up and you lose your starting spot,” Brown said. “So, I take this serious, but I still have fun.”


BETWEEN A ROCK—Oak Park wide receiver Erik Tamiyasu, center, gets tackled by Westlake defenders Jalyn Harrison, left, and Kyle Rothschiller during the Conejo Classic Passing Tournament.

BETWEEN A ROCK—Oak Park wide receiver Erik Tamiyasu, center, gets tackled by Westlake defenders Jalyn Harrison, left, and Kyle Rothschiller during the Conejo Classic Passing Tournament.

BALANCING ACT—Oak Park High’s Brandon Coppel attempts to get his fingers on the ball during last weekend’s Conejo Classic tourney.

BALANCING ACT—Oak Park High’s Brandon Coppel attempts to get his fingers on the ball during last weekend’s Conejo Classic tourney.

BIG ARM—Oak Park High QB Jack Gerstenberger throws a pass during the Conejo Classic tourney.

BIG ARM—Oak Park High QB Jack Gerstenberger throws a pass during the Conejo Classic tourney.

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