Back in the top tier, Moorpark College football team riding positive momentum into fall
The Moorpark College football program is looking to keep it going.
The Raiders are enjoying the upswing they started last fall, when they were 6-5, finished second in the American Division’s Pacific Conference and earned the program’s first bowl berth since 2016.
“We’ve made huge strides,” Moorpark head coach Mike Stuart said. “Building off of last year has been our No. 1 goal.”
Maintaining momentum will be made easier by the returning of key players at quarterback, running back and receiver. The Raiders have 35 sophomores on the roster.
“The big difference is the retention,” Stuart said. “We have a lot of returning players. We’re a little bit more heavy sophomore, which is good going into this new conference.”
A noticeably more vocal Macloud Crowton returns at quarterback.
“There’s a big difference,” Stuart said. “He’s more vocal. He came in last year kind of quiet. You can see the confidence he’s gained.”
Splitting time with Bennett Johnson, Crowton completed 97 of 193 passes for 1,031 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman. The quarterback room also includes sophomore Luke Rasmussen and former Oxnard High QB Vince Walea.
Crowton is working with his father, former BYU head coach and Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, who has taken over as the Raiders’ offensive coordinator.
“That’s been fun,” Stuart said. “We’ve had a lot of NFL coaches come through Moorpark College in the offseason. … It’s just been fun to interact with these guys.”
The Raiders also return former Royal High running back Gabe Landless, who rushed for 544 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman. Former Pacifica High runner Quentin Pooler also returns in the backfield.
The receiving corps is led by sophomore River Stout, who caught 37 passes for 553 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman. Stout caught nine passes for 145 yards in the 20-17 bowl loss at Hancock.
Receiver Charlie Simmons is an exciting addition to the offense. The former Newbury Park High star caught two touchdown passes in the Raiders’ scrimmage with Santa Monica earlier this month.
“He’s electrifying,” Stuart said of Simmons.
Noah Cronquist, who joined Drake London to make a memorable receiving tandem at Moorpark High, has joined the team after completing a religious mission.
Camarillo High graduate Ryan Johnson is at tight end.
Guard Jericho Foster, a sophomore from Westlake, anchors the offensive line. Six-foot-6, 360-pound tackle Dayson Moore is a promising addition up front.
“He looks like an NFL guy,” Stuart said.
Defensive line promises to be a strength. Moorpark welcomes back star defensive end Payton Casillas. After a standout freshman campaign, the Thousand Oaks High graduate missed most of last year because of injury and received a medical redshirt.
Casillas is joined up front by defensive end Rob Rogero, a sophomore from Calabasas, and nose guard Arnulfo Morales, who earned all-state honors as a freshman from Moorpark High.
Former Pacifica High star Niko Narez also returns at middle linebacker. Cornerbacks Curtis Jackson and Bertin Placide are returning starters.
Last year’s performance earned Moorpark a promotion back into the top-tier National Division.
It joins former familiar foes Allan Hancock, Antelope Valley, Bakersfield, Canyons, El Camino, Santa Barbara and Ventura in the new circuit that’s reminiscent of the program's Western State Conference roots.
Undefeated at home a year ago, Moorpark opens season by hosting Palomar on Saturday night at Griffin Stadium.
Joe Curley covers high school, collegiate and professional football for The Star. He can be reached at joe.curley@vcstar.com. For more coverage, follow @vcsjoecurley on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Moorpark College football is riding positive momentum into the fall
