HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Czernek, Tough Defense the Right Mix for Newbury Park, 46-8

After a lackluster performance last week, Chris Czernek got back on track, completing 14 of 19 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns to lead undefeated Newbury Park past host Channel Islands, 46-8, in a Marmonte League game Saturday night.

The tone was set early when DaJuan Hawkins caught a slant pass over the middle on the game’s first play and raced 80 yards for a Panther touchdown. Hawkins finished with five receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

On its second possession, Newbury Park marched 55 yards in two plays, capped by a 37-yard touchdown pass from Czernek to Eddie Patterson. The Panthers led, 14-0, two minutes into the game.

Ryan Brunsell gave Channel Islands its lone highlight when he returned a kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to pull the Raiders to within 14-8.

However, Newbury Park (8-0, 5-0 in league play) scored 12 more points in the first quarter and increased its lead to 33-8 by halftime.

Czernek, the state’s leading passer, had 245 yards at the half and attempted only four passes in the second half. The junior, who passed for a season-low 231 yards in an 18-7 victory over Westlake last week, has thrown for 2,555 yards and 25 touchdowns this year.

The Panther defense continued to be impressive, holding the Raiders (3-5, 1-4) to 47 total yards and two first downs, one of which came on a penalty. Newbury Park amassed 508 yards in total offense.

Brock Diediker rushed for 97 yards in 11 carries and scored three touchdowns for Newbury Park. The senior recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for one score and had scoring runs of one and two yards. Diediker has 10 touchdowns this season.

Pat Reddick caught five passes for 108 yards for the Panthers.