Moorpark Football won their first game of the season, 24-14, this Saturday at home against Palomar College in their final non-conference game of the year.
The defense for Moorpark is what let them keep their lead on a night where the offense turned the ball over four times.
The excited head coach, Mike Stuart, had nothing but praise for how the defense played in the game.
“I’m very proud of them [the defense],” said Stuart. “They all do their job. They’re all average players who know what they’re doing in a sense.”
Defensive players Jalin Burrell and Beau Hunsicker were the play-makers on the Raider defense all night.
Burrell broke up two key pass plays that could have potentially gotten the Comets back in the game.
Hunsicker had a total of 8.5 tackles and made it uncomfortable for Comet quarterback Austin Early to ever find footing to throw the ball.
“I’m insanely proud of my defense,” said Hunsicker. “Defensively, they had one score on us. I mean you can’t ask for more than that.”
Despite the turnovers, the offense was still able to make plays, especially on the ground.
Moorpark scored first on the night with a touchdown on their opening drive when running back Isiah Johnson ran it in from a yard out. After the P.A.T. it was 7-0, Moorpark.
Palomar got on the board next when Early connected with receiver Wayne Ganan for a touchdown tying up the game.
Moorpark’s final score of the first quarter came when kicker Brendon Hodgson booted a 35 yard field goal. At the end of the first quarter, the Raiders led the game 10-7.
The only score of the second quarter came when Johnson ran in from 14 yards out, giving the Raiders a 17-7 lead.
Palomar’s Michael Moore intercepted Raiders’ quaterback Christian Hammack on Moorpark’s opening possession of the second half returning it 60 yards for a touchdown. With 13:03 left in the third, the score put the Comets back in the game down 17-14.
Moorpark answered back when Hammack connected with receiver Emmanuel Osuchukwu on a 24 yard completion. After the P.A.T. Moorpark went up 24-14 with 9:41 left in the third. A scoreless fourth quarter cemented the Raiders with their first win of the season.
Hammack went 15 of 29 for 222 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 picks. He said that going into the next game, the offense has a lot of room for improvement.
“I threw two interceptions. I gotta fix that,” said Hammack. “Offensively, we’re really clicking and really moving the ball.”
Coach Stuart still believes that the team can finish out the year strong and keep improving.
“You know I think this team can do whatever they want to do, to be honest,” said Stuart. “I told them we’re 0-0. From this point on let’s go every week and let’s go 1-0.”
Moorpark’s next game will be on the road on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. against Bakersfield College. Raiders fans who are not able to attend the game will be able to watch it online at moorparkcollegeathletics.com
