Channel Islands Earns Share of Marmonte Title

It was supposed to be a battle between the tough defense of Thousand Oaks High and the potent offense of Channel Islands.

But it was Channel Islands (8-2, 5-1 in league play) which blended tough defensive play with the running of fullback Jerry Williams to post a 27-7 victory over Thousand Oaks and earn a share of the Marmonte League title Saturday night at Hueneme High.

Channel Islands will advance next week’s Division II playoffs as the league’s No. 1 team; Thousand Oaks (6-3-1, 5-1) is No. 2.

Thousand Oaks pinned Channel Islands back on its 2-yard line after the opening kickoff. Three plays later, the Raiders punted from their end zone, but the punt was muffed by returner Dave Kuenstle and recovered by Channel Islands’ Donny Mays at the 35.

Nine plays later, Williams capped a 65-yard drive on a 3-yard sweep around right end for a 7-0 lead that the Raiders took into the locker room at halftime.

Thousands Oaks drove to the Channel Islands 5 on its first possession, but on third and goal from the 5, Raider defensive end Rob Jure sacked Lancer quarterback Anthony Gonzales for a 12-yard loss. John Mogler’s ensuing 34-yard field-goal attempt was wide right.

The Lancers moved to the Channel Islands 8-yard line in the second quarter, but steady quarterback pressure from Jure and defensive end Wade Edwards helped stop the drive. Chris Peters’ 28-yard field-goal attempt also failed wide right.

The Raiders’ defense rose up again at the start of the third quarter, tackling punter Jeff Moore at the Thousand Oaks’ 1-yard line. Moore was trying to elude the rush after pulling down a high snap.

Williams scored on a 1-yard run on the next play to give Channel Islands a 14-0 lead.

Williams, who rushed for 127 yards in 15 carries, broke loose a 68-yard scoring run late in the third quarter to put the Raiders ahead, 21-0.

“It feels so good to beat T.O.,” said Channel Islands’ Coach Joel Gershon, whose team was beaten by the Lancers twice last season, including for the Coastal Conference championship. “The kids’ mental preparation and drive to get something done was the key to the win.”

Tailback John Johnson rushed for 94 yards in 17 carries to give Channel Islands a pair of 1,000-yard rushers for the season. Johnson has 1,028 yards and Williams has 1,033.

Thousand Oaks avoided a shutout when Gonzales threw a 20-yard scoring pass to Peters with 1:26 to play.