HS FOOT: Moorpark crushes Valencia

By Jacob Pollon
Special to the Daily News

Moorpark did all it needed to do in the first half in a Southern Section Northern Division semifinal at Valencia.

The Musketeers (12-1) blew by the Vikings (10-3) in a 30-8 victory that sends them to the championship game for the third time since 2005 against St. Bonaventure of Ventura next Friday.

Austin Edmonson looked like the second coming of Reggie Bush, rushing for 166 of his 168 yards in the first half.

Edmonson only scored one touchdown on a four-yard run but broke loose for scampers of 28, 38 and 67 yards to keep Valencia's defense mystified. Edmonson carried 19 times and didn't play in the fourth quarter with the Musketeers ahead by 30 points.

"We just came out and played tonight," Edmonson said. "After the first play I knew we would be fine."

While Edmonson was running silly, Brody Rohach was more than effective completing 13 of 20 passes for 128 yards. Rohach was 11 of 13 in the first half for 109 yards including a nine-yard scoring strike to Tim Vizzi (5 receptions, 57 yards) giving Moorpark a 17-0 lead in the second quarter.

Moorpark's defense wasn't bad either, holding Valencia to 36 yards in the first half and sacking Dominick Solley four times.

Derrious Johonson, Tommy Collet and Greg Morrissey each had an interception for Moorpark.

"That is a great defense," Solley said. "They swarm so fast. But we made some mistakes and missed some blocks."

Solley finished 13 of 24 for 187 yards. Solley connected with Zach Tartabull on a 61-yard scoring play for the Vikings only score against Moorpark's second string.

Valencia's run game was non existent. Ricky Maldonado gained 33 yards on nine carries and Jordan Thompson, who came in with 29 touchdowns, was held to 10 yards on just four carries.

Moorpark also got a huge lift from kicker Stephen Picchini.

All Picchini did was connect on three field goals from 45, 32 and 46 yards.

"My line was great," Picchini said. "I just had to settle down and kick the ball. That was the greatest game of my life. The line made it happen for me."

Moorpark knows what it is like to succeed but not quite win it all. The Musketeers won a lower-division title in 1997 but has since lost three time in a section final, the most recent coming in 2005 and 2006.

Moorpark will have a tough test next week against juggernaut St. Bonaventure.

"We just will come and do what we do," Edmonson said.