Oak Park High football players huddled together before the first practice of the week.
“It’s Simi week, baby!” an Eagle yelled amid the marching band’s drums on fire.
“Let’s have our best practice of the year!” Oak Park head coach Casey Webb implored.
The Canyon League title could ultimately be decided on Friday night when Simi Valley visits Oak Park. It’s a game that also has playoff implications for the Eagles, who are ranked No. 4 in the CIF-Southern Section Division 12 poll.
“Everybody’s excited,” wide receiver Alex Jones said. “It’s the game to watch. It’s time to buckle up and play.”
Oak Park has won every outing this fall, most by comfortable margins. Simi Valley, which dropped its first two games to Lompoc and Redondo Union, has reeled off five straight wins.
The 6-foot-3 Jones is one of the best receivers in the Golden State. The numbers back it up: He’s the top junior in the state with 860 receiving yards, and he’s second among all junior receivers with 12 touchdowns, according to MaxPreps. He expects Simi Valley has devised a game plan geared to stop Oak Park’s most dynamic offensive player.
“They’re going to be the toughest team we’ve faced, by far,” Jones said. “Simi’s very good, and they’re going to be hard to beat—but I think we can compete with them.”
Luka Sarac, a two-way starter at defensive end and left tackle, is eighth among all players in California with 11.5 sacks. The senior star, who graced the cover of the Acorn’s Pigskin Preview, still doesn’t have a single scholarship offer.
Sarac will try to make life miserable for Simi Valley quarterback Travis Throckmorton.
“We have to keep our heads in the game,” Sarac said. “If they score or make a big run, we can’t turn on each other.”
The Pioneers must account for the Eagles’ stout defense, which has allowed two or fewer touchdowns in six of seven games.
“No one on our defense is afraid to hit,” Sarac said.
Daniel Rafeedie, a linebacker and right guard, and Riley Banducci, a rugged lineman, made their season debuts last weekend in the Birds’ 40-30 win at Brentwood. The Malibu transfers provide a jolt to an already dynamic defense.
Middle linebacker Dylan Natcher has been a beast. The senior, who chips in at fullback, leads the Eagles with 77 tackles, and he’s added five sacks, one forced fumble, two touchdowns and one two-point conversion. As a sophomore, he helped Oaks Christian capture a section title under then-head coach Jim Benkert.
“We have to be prepared for everything,” said Natcher, who plays lacrosse and is active in the youth ministry at Calvary Community Church. “(Benkert) comes up with great game plans.”
Oak Park will count on quarterback Gianni Smith to direct the offense. The free-spirited senior quarterback with long hair and an upbeat personality is enjoying a breakout season.
In six games this season (he missed one outing with the flu), Smith has 1,310 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and four interceptions.
The honors student has added 299 rushing yards with two more scores on the ground. Twenty-seven of his 35 kickoffs have been touchbacks, and he drilled a season-best 43-yard field goal on Sept. 27 against Campbell Hall.
“I like being in control every snap,” said Smith, a forward in soccer and a hurdler and shot put specialist in track and field. “It’s fun. We’re doing well and we’re winning.”
The Eagles are bracing for impact.
“We’ve worked hard,” Jones said. “We have to boost it into overdrive.”
Follow sports editor Eliav Appelbaum on Twitter @EliavAppelbaum.
Players to Watch
Simi Valley
#7 QB Travis Throckmorton
#3 RB/CB Malik Hunt
#22 WR/SS Jonah Burton
#33 LB/FB Jim E. Deyoung
#87 LB/TE David Kempton
Oak Park
#9 QB Gianni Smith
#13 WR Alex Jones
#99 LB/FB Dylan Natcher
#7 LB/RG Daniel Rafeedie
#17 WR/S Tino Cirino