HS FOOT: Moorpark is on a roll

It's only blemish a three-point loss to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks back in Week 2, Moorpark is hoping its hard-hitting defense can offset host Valencia's big-play offense in a Northern semifinal on Saturday.

Moorpark has shut out three of its past four opponents, including a chilly 6-0 quarterfinal victory at Atascadero. Some of its top defensive players are defensive linemen Corey Sandoval and Cameron Phillips and linebackers Brenden Daley and Marc Palacios.

"We're definitely looking forward to a tough game," Moorpark coach Tim Lins said. "We've prepared well and played well to get to this point. Our defense has put us in good field position and kept us out of trouble several times."

Moorpark has some offensive weapons, too, averaging 29 points. Running back Austin Edmonson (1,023 yards, 15 touchdowns) and receiver Tim Vizzi (67 receptions, 14 touchdowns) are returning starters.

"It starts with the leadership of our seniors like Corey Sandoval and Tim Vizzi and the rest of the seniors, and we just have a good group of talented kids that play well together," Lins said. "That's what has helped this team."

Interestingly, Valencia and Moorpark have never played each other even though they're two of the area's most successful programs over the past 10 years: Valencia has reached a section title game three times since 1999 (going 0-3), and Moorpark was a section runner-up in 2005 and 2006.

"There's not a lot of history between the two programs. It should be an interesting game," Lins said.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com