Moorpark, Newbury Park clinch share of Canyon League football titles

A quest three years in the offing made for a very motivated Luke Cochran on Friday night.

What followed was the game of his life.

Moorpark High's senior running back rushed for a school-record 322 yards and five touchdowns to power the Musketeers to a 56-28 victory over host Agoura that earned the program a share of its first league championship since 2008.

Cochran broke Moorpark's single-game rushing record of 306 yards, set by Darrell Scott in 2006.

"Its been our goal since we went 1-9 my sophomore year to win a league championship," Cochran said. "We didn't make the playoffs last year and now we've done that. Obviously, it's a special victory and so special to come through for my team with so much on the line.

"There were tears flowing after the game. That's how much this means to us. It feels amazing."

Moorpark fell in an early 7-0 hole when Agoura's Tyler Starling intercepted a pass from Elijah Hensley and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown.

Then Cochran and Co. went to work.

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The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder carried the football four times on the subsequent possession, including a 35-yard scoring carry that knotted the game at 7-7. Cochran knew then and there the night would belong to him and the Musketeers.

"There were smiles on the sidelines after that drive," he said. "Our confidence was high. The blocking was so good. It would be a total team effort."

Cochran said he's added a new dimension to his game as a senior.

"My vision is so much better," he said. "No more tunnel vision. I'm seeing the entire field when I run. I'm seeing where all the holes are."

Moorpark wasn't the only Canyon League power thriving in the regular-season finale. Newbury Park rolled up a 35-6 victory over visiting Camarillo, assuring the league's magic number is 3.

A trio of teams share the league championship in the final season before the uber-competitive circuit is broken up by releaguing next fall.

Defending champion Thousand Oaks punched its ticket to first place a week ago.

Moorpark (9-1, 5-1) and Newbury Park (7-3, 5-1) create a powerhouse trio at the top. Next up will be their placement in postseason. The CIF-SS will release its playoff brackets Sunday at 10 a.m.

As usual, Brady Smigiel and Shane Rosenthal were at the forefront of the Panthers victory.

Smigiel tossed a 3-yard TD pass to Cody Wirz and ran for a 19-yard touchdown. Rosenthal notched two interceptions, including a 35-yard return for a pick-six.

The junior wide receiver/defensive back leads the county with eight interceptions.

Smigiel's scoring pass broke a treasured program record. His 88th TD pass in less than two seasons surpassed a record held by Keith Smith for 30 years.

Balen Betancourt and Jaxon Mckinney added rushing touchdowns.

Coach Joe Smigiel loved the team achievement.

"I'm so happy not because of the league championship but the fact we flipped the program," he said. "In two years, Panthers football is back with back-to-back playoff berths and a league championship. "That's 29 kids buying in, holding themselves accountable and playing for each other.

"When you're at the point when they're are no individuals and they play for each other, those are life's lessons. That's why I coach. I make 5 cents an hour and that's the best 5 cents I will ever coach."

In Moorpark's victory, Hensley finished 10 of 16 for 150 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 29 yards and another score. Ryan Gintu had two receptions for 73 yards and one TD.

Coach Ryan Huisenga expressed pride in his team's tri-championship.

"Our guys have been talking about this moment since December when we started in the weight room," he said. "We felt that the year before we didn't finish strong in two games that cost us a chance at the playoffs. Our seniors were determined to not let that happen again."

Huisenga noted that six seniors endured the 1-9 season in 2021 and have led the turnaround.

"They have been amazing leaders," he said.

Agoura hung tough for three quarters with Moorpark.

Harrison Novak hit on 25 of 36 pass attempts for 318 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Brady Dieffenbach had nine catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Miles Hull notched 10 catches for 75 yards on offense and seven tackles and one interception on defense.

Starling had five tackles and one interception.

At 7-3 overall and 3-3 in league, the Chargers are hoping for an at-large berth into postseason.

Coach Dustin Croick said he couldn't be prouder of players.

"This is my first group that has been with me only as a head coach," he said. "They met with me on a computer screen during COVID and they have done everything I've asked of them. I told them what is needed to be successful on and off the field.

"They've been through the good, great, bad and ugly. So many real adversities at such a young age and yet they continued to come out stronger. The future is very bright for Agoura football because of what our seniors have built."

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Moorpark, Newbury Park clinch share of Canyon League football titles