Newbury Park leads Hart, 6-3, after first quarter

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Both Newbury Park and Hart have exercised caution in the early going. Nerves might have something to do with it. We are, after all, talking about a game with plenty at stake with the winner advancing to next weekend’s Northern Division championship at the Home Depot Center.

After going three and out on its first possession, the Hart offense loosened up the next time out. B.R. Holbrook completed passes of 20 and 37 yards to Demitri Diamond and then rushed for two first downs. Johnny MacArthur capped the 13-play, 87-yard drive that took 5:32 off the clock with a 22-yard field as the Indians opened up a 3-0 lead.

After seeing Hart’s effectiveness through the air, Newbury Park tried the same rout. Colby Cameron connected with Phillip Muscarella on a 43-yard pass play. Then the senior quarterback found Danny Diefenthaler on a 15-yard pass play on fourth down from the Indians 20 to keep the drive alive. Two plays later, Cameron threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Roberson. Muscarella’s extra point was blocked. That could come back to haunt the Panthers.

A quarter that started off slowly finished with a flurry and Newbury Park leads Hart, 6-3.

-- Sean Ceglinsky, guest blogger