SOUTHERN SECTION ROUNDUP : Thousand Oaks Posts Second Consecutive Shutout, 35-0

Two down, four to go. That might serve as the challenge for Thousand Oaks High after the Lancers posted their second consecutive shutout, winning at Channel Islands on Friday night, 35-0.

The Lancers (4-1, 2-0 in league play), who blanked Newbury Park last week, 21-0, set a school record last year with five shutouts. Thousand Oaks limited Channel Islands (2-3, 0-2) to 93 yards in offense.

Channel Islands never threatened and didn’t get a first down until midway through the second quarter. The Raiders’ best opportunity came after Stan Espinosa intercepted a Lancer pass on the last play of the first half. Espinosa zigzagged across the field, returned the pass 43 yards but was tackled 40 yards short of the end zone.

Afterward, Lancer Coach Bob Richards had plenty of praise for his defense.

“Last year, we had eight returning starters on defense, and I knew we had a good defensive team. This year has added a few gray hairs to me, but I’m very pleased with (the Lancers’) development,” he said.

Thousand Oaks quarterback Scott Peterson completed only 4 of 11 for 29 yards, but he made the critical plays, hitting Jason Ybarra for a four-yard pass that gave the Lancers a 20-0 margin late in the first half. Peterson also ran for 50 yards, including a 26-yard end-around early in the third period that made the score 28-0.

Junior running back Cory Bowen rushed for 194 yards, including an 84-yard touchdown, the Lancers’ final score.

The Lancers scored on their first three possessions, receiving gifts from the all-too-generous Raiders.

A 17-yard punt by Juan Vargas gave Thousand Oaks the ball on the Channel Islands 40. Four plays later, the Lancers had the lead when running back Greg Buchanan scored from the one.

The next Raider punt, a wobbly 25-yard effort, gave the Lancers the ball at the Channel Islands 48. Bowen capped a scoring drive with a 22-yard run.

Raider quarterback Pharoah Milner completed 2 of 11 for 16 yards. David Cox carried the ball eight times for 39 yards.