SCORPION KINGS - CAMARILLO CONTINUES ITS ASSAULT ON THE 805

Camarillo wide receiver Colby Stevens runs past Ventura defenders during the third quarter of the Scorpions' 48-7 trouncing of the Cougars, improving their record to 5-0 (photo by Lorenzo Reyna). 

Using rare shift and motions on offense that looked reminiscent of Boise State, Camarillo’s latest wrinkle still led to similar results: a lot of points on the board.

Jake Constantine finished with 15-of-20 passing for 340 yards and threw all four of his touchdown passes in the first half, Ryan Muscarella had a breakout evening of 148 receiving yards – all in one half - and running back Isaiah Otis scored three times through running and receiving, as the Scorpions cruised to a 48-7 rout of Ventura on Sept. 25 at Carl Thompson Field.

The Scorpions (5-0) would often shift three receivers or tight ends to the opposite side of the field simultaneously, which threw Ventura’s defense into confusion. The result led to another high-powered balanced night for Cam.

“We’ve been able to run and pass the ball in the last five games,” Constantine said. “It’s no big surprise (for the offense). We’ve been looking forward to this since the summer. So far, we’ve exceeded expectations.”

Camarillo quarterback Jake Constantine dives for the end zone during the first quarter of the Scorpions' 41-point romp of Ventura at home (photo by Lorenzo Reyna). 

Desmond Clancy set the tone at tight end by rumbling 33 yards on his first reception during the opening drive. Otis ended the drive with a 1-yard scoring run.

Ventura would tie the game up at 7-7 with a lengthy drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by Roan Moran. But then the rout was on for Camarillo.

Muscarella – on the first play of the next drive – took a swing pass from Constantine, found a crevasse on the left side of the field and turned on the jets for a 71-yard touchdown score, placing the Scorps ahead 13-7.

That wasn’t the only big reception for the 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior. He caught a 24-yard touchdown catch to make it 20-7 and adjusted nicely to a 43-yard lob from Constantine on the next series. On that play, Muscarella drew one-on-one coverage, swung his hips toward the falling pigskin and came down with the jump ball. Two plays later, Constantine connected with Frankie Tostado on a 4-yard air ball, extending the lead to 27-7.

“They (Ventura) were throwing everything around. Our receivers just adjusted well to the coverages they were making and we played well,” Muscarella said. “We had some big plays. Our line was making blocks, receivers were catching the ball and our quarterback made some great throws. We just had a great game and we connected well.”

Defensively, Camarillo took the trench battle with defensive end Bronson Smith wreaking the lines. Linebacker Brett Triebold and safety Collin Kirksey were all over the field with their ability to read and attack.

“We work as a team. Our offense kind of goes with our defense and it gives us a lot of touchdowns. The offense makes it easy on us,” Kirksey said.  

Camarillo has a bye on Friday, Oct. 2. The following week has Camarillo taking on St. Bonaventure (Ventura) in a marquee non-league showdown at Ventura College.

Video credit: The Ventura County Star: 

NEVADA CONTINUES TO GO AFTER THE 559 TALENT - OFFERS LEEVEL TATUM

Edison (Fresno) defensive lineman Leevel Tatum added his seventh offer from Nevada on Thursday, Sept. 24 (photo credit centralvalleyfootball.com). 

From former Wolf Pack head coach Chris Ault to current head man Brian Polian, Nevada has a long history of going after Central Valley football talent.

Leevel Tatum of Edison High School in Fresno is the latest 559 prospect to get the Wolf Pack pursuing him, after the 3-star defensive tackle prospect landed his seventh offer from Nevada on Thursday, Sept. 24.

“Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Nevada,” Tatum announced on his Twitter page.

Tatum broke out on the recruiting trail after a stellar junior season that saw 104 tackles, nine sacks, two forced fumbles and one field goal block, all leading to all-state second team honors.

Under the Fresno night time sky, Tatum is known for his explosive first step off the ball and his penetration through offensive lines. He relies on his foot explosion and upper body strength to wreak havoc against offenses.

He’s one of three Central Section players to receive a pledge from Nevada for its 2016 class. Hanford High’s Juwuane Hughes (athlete) and Buchanan (Clovis) senior Ben Parker (defensive end) have landed scholarship offers from the Mountain West program. Dinuba quarterback Isaac Leppke and Lemoore ATH Jerald Campbell have received interest from the Nevada coaches.

The Wolf Pack’s current roster has five former Central Valley stars: Asauni Rufus (defensive back, Bakersfield High), Brayden Sanchez (wide receiver, Hanford), Jacob Young (quarterback, Hanford), Blake Wright (running back, Edison) and Rykeem Yates (defensive line, Edison).

For Tatum, the Wolf Pack becomes the fourth MWC program to offer him; joining New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado State.

GOLD MINE GAME OF THE WEEK: BULLARD AT CLOVIS WEST

Caleb Kelly runs a route during a summer 7-on-7 game between Clovis West and Bullard in 2013. Kelly gets one more crack at Bullard, as he and the Golden Eagles take on the highly-ranked Knights on Friday, Sept. 25 (photo by Lorenzo Reyna).

Bullard and Clovis West have long been bitter rivals, but the Friday, Sept. 25 contest might be the most anticipated in a long time in this series, since both are looking like serious contenders for Central Section Division I supremacy.

Clovis West is entering the rivalry contest undefeated for the first time since 2007, when the Golden Eagles entered that game against the Knights at 2-0-1. Clovis West (2-0) also took a rare two weeks off, due to a Sept. 11 contest getting rescheduled because of poor air quality.

On the other side, Bullard is off and running at 3-1 and came within eight points of knocking off state powerhouse Grant of Sacramento on Sept. 12. The Knights took last year’s meeting against CW 28-25 behind a 280-yard evening from Charles Williams.

Here’s a breakdown of this Friday’s contest:

ABOUT THE GOLDEN EAGLES: Second-year head coach George Petrissans has reestablished a hard-nosed culture at CW. He and the Golden Eagles are searching for their first season above the .500 mark since 2010, when a Kendall Brock-led Clovis West team won the section D-I title.

Petrissans has two monster talents who are among the most highly-recruited players in the nation. Outside linebacker/tight end Caleb Kelly is closing fast on his college decision and has Michigan, LSU, Oklahoma, USC and Alabama after him. Wide receiver Darian Owens holds over 20 offers and is currently verbally committed to UCLA.

A rising star on offense is sophomore quarterback Adrian Martinez, who has continued CW’s lineage of dual-threat signal-callers. Fellow sophomore running back Rodney Wright helps provide some juice in the backfield.

While Kelly helps energize the CW defense, middle linebacker Bryan Wilcots adds to the Golden Eagles’ rough house presence. The 6-foot, 220-pound senior doubles as run stuffer and cover linebacker.

ABOUT THE KNIGHTS: Bullard has continued its pound-the-ball philosophy, except this time legendary section head coach Don Arax has implemented his brand of football: the Double Wing-T.

The Knights continue to flourish in the running game with the senior Williams back at the controls. Helping clear the road for him is Air Force commit Connor Vikupitz at center, who is one of the grittiest run blockers in the section.

Junior quarterback Jack Taylor hasn’t been asked to throw the football much, but he’s been efficient with five touchdown passes, one interception and a QB rating of 101.9. Senior Markelle Raymond is Taylor’s top target at wide receiver, with team-highs in receptions (nine), yardage (148) and touchdowns (three).

The defense has athleticism up front in defensive end/linebacker Cvaughn Stewart, who currently holds a Utah offer, and defensive end Bevan Brandt, the Knights’ leader in sacks with three. Juniors Cameron Lamanuzzi and Ben Baker provide a viscous 1-2 punch at linebacker.

Senior Nick Cole helps patrol the Knights’ secondary and has had mid-major schools sending him football letters.

BEST MATCHUP: CHARLES WILLIAMS VERSUS CALEB KELLY. These two will likely cross paths like they did last year. Williams got the better end of the 2014-15 meeting, but Kelly is one of the best at snuffing the run.

DON’T SLEEP ON: CONNOR VIKUPITZ. Look for the Knights to try to establish an inside identity right away, with Vikupitz leading the trench blocking.

GAME INFORMATION: 7:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium (Buchanan High). 

WEEK THREE GOLD MINES

Najee Harris of Antioch High School continues to show why he's the top running for the Class of 2017, as the Alabama commit ran for 224 yards in week three action (photo credit Max Preps). 

Week three gold mines:

NAJEE HARRIS, RUNNING BACK, ANTIOCH

The current Alabama pledge rumbled to 224 yards and two touchdowns in Antioch’s 54-14 rout of Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park).

MICHAEL KYLE, RUNNING BACK, PINOLE VALLEY

Kyle, who splits running back duties with Troyante Mcconico, finished with an astonishing 306 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns as Pinole Valley used a second half rally to defeat Hayward 45-28.

JAKE JEFFREY, QUARTERBACK, FOLSOM

Jeffrey continues to thrive in Folsom’s high-octane offense, as the senior threw five touchdown passes – four in the first half – and added 276 yards in the Bulldogs’ 56-20 rout over Burbank.

TRAVIS WILSON, DEFENSIVE BACK, SUNNYSIDE (FRESNO)

In a high-scoring affair, Wilson recorded 21 tackles including one stop for a loss in the Wildcats’ 61-42 victory over Clovis East.

KAZMEIR ALLEN, RUNNING BACK, TULARE UNION

Allen, who took over the running back duties after stud running back Romello Harris went down with a broken finger, looked Harris-like with 321 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries as Tulare trounced Kingsburg 45-19.

J.J. WILLS, WIDE RECEIVER, CLOVIS

Wills, who recently added his second scholarship offer from NCAA Division II program Minot State, hauled in seven passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Cougars held off Stockdale 49-42.

BLAKE JAECKELS, QUARTERBACK, ST. JOSEPH (SANTA MARIA)

The dual-threat quarterback combined for 246 yards of offense and four touchdowns in the Knights’ 49-31 upset over Paso Robles, a CIF Southern Section champion and state playoff qualifier from a year ago.

C.J. COLE, WIDE RECEIVER, ST. JOSEPH

Cole torched the Bearcats with five catches, 150 yards, three touchdowns and an average of 30 yards per reception.

STEVIE HOUSTON, WIDE RECEIVER, RIO MESA (OXNARD)

The future Washington State Cougar helped set the tone and provide some crucial catches for red-hot Rio Mesa, as he snatched seven receptions for 157 yards and one touchdown in the Spartans’ 47-45 shootout win over Santa Barbara.

CHASE JASMIN, RUNNING BACK, WESTLAKE

Jasmin gashed state powerhouse Rancho Santa Margarita with 159 yards on 28 carries and one touchdown in the Warriors’ 21-14 victory.

GOLD MINE GALLERY: RIO MESA AT SANTA BARBARA

Images from Rio Mesa's thrilling 47-45 win over Santa Barbara (all photos by Lorenzo Reyna) 

RIO MESA RALLIES, THEN HOLDS OFF UNBEATEN SANTA BARBARA

Rio Mesa cornerback Donte Martin (No. 9) wrestles down a Santa Barbara wide receiver while safety J.P. Arbon watches on during the Spartans' 47-45 shootout victory at Peabody Stadium (photo by Lorenzo Reyna). 

Rio Mesa High – once down by 10 points late in the second quarter – turned to its two national recruits at wide receiver and a power running game to rally past Santa Barbara High 47-45 on Sept. 18 at Peabody Stadium.

Down 31-21, Rio Mesa (3-1) not only ended the first half on a 31-yard field goal, the Spartans installed their momentum on a fluky offensive fumble. Josiah King lost control of the ball but fellow backfield mate Joe Diaz swooped up the pigskin and rumbled 60 yards for the touchdown, tying the game at 31.

From there, Stevie Houston and Jonathan Lenard provided the big receptions while King wore down the Santa Barbara trenches. Lenard – who committed to San Diego State in July 2015 – took a swing pass and accelerated his way to a 36-yard scoring scamper to make it 37-31. Houston, who pledged to Washington State in June 2015, kept Rio Mesa’s next drive alive by becoming a possession target on third down situations. King concluded that offensive march by gashing up the middle for a 13-yard touchdown, making it 44-31.

“It was a very intense game,” Houston said. “Our offensive line, our offensive coordinators and our coach all came together and gelled as one. We also have a lot of leaders on this team. We came out here and set the example.”

Santa Barbara wouldn’t go down without a fight. The Dons turned to the right arm of quarterback Brent Peus to stay in the game. Peus found Sean Babcock on a short screen that resulted in a 20-yard touchdown, cutting the Spartan lead to 44-37.

A botched onside kick, though, gave Rio Mesa excellent field possession and led to a 28-yard field goal.

Peus and the Dons would then move quickly down the field thanks to two personal foul calls on Rio Mesa. The drive ended when Peus rifled a pass down the middle to a wide open Babcock for a 5-yard score. Peus then connected with Chris Jellison on the 2-point try, making it 47-45.

The Dons’ onside kick attempt – after taking nearly three bounces - was recovered by Rio Mesa and helped seal the Spartans’ third consecutive win.

“We came out and never quit. That’s what special about Rio Mesa,” Lenard said.

The receiver/safety added that his team has become the opposite of the one that lost 51-17 to Camarillo to start the season.

“We’re a lot different. Losing to them showed us that we weren’t who we thought we were during the summer,” Lenard said. “That was kind of a wakeup call and our coach told us that we need to get better and play as one, not as individuals.” 

GOLD MINE GAME OF THE WEEK: RIO MESA AT SANTA BARBARA

Brent Peus and Santa Barbara High are off and running at 3-0. The Dons return to the field to take on traditional Ventura County power Rio Mesa (photo contributed). 

The last time Santa Barbara High School started 3-0 on the football field, the seniors on this year’s roster were between the ages of 8 to 9.

Now, for the first time since 2007, the Dons are off to a fast start and will welcome a traditional playoff contender from Oxnard to SBHS: Rio Mesa.

Both teams will have under-the-radar recruits on the field. Here’s a closer look:

ABOUT THE DONS: Santa Barbara has scored at will under second-year head coach J.T. Stone, averaging 52.6 points per game.

Conducting the Dons’ offensive orchestra is returning senior quarterback Brent Peus, who has dropped bombs on opposing defenses. Peus – who has received letters from Ivy League, Mountain West and PAC-12 programs – has emerged as one of the top deep ball throwers in the 805.

Two of Peus’ top weapons are 6-foot-4, 170-pound target Blake Kelly and 5-foot-9, 170-pound Mason Bigelow, who has not only won against man coverage schemes, but has shown excellent focus on the catches made against two defenders.

Defensively, the Dons have only allowed 15 points in three games. Outside linebacker Carter Soto leads the pass rush. Angel Velasquez and Donovan Zavaleta spearhead the secondary. Both combined for three interceptions in the 52-7 trouncing of Channel Islands on Sept. 11 at Peabody Stadium.

ABOUT THE SPARTANS: Rio Mesa has recovered nicely from its 51-17 debacle against Camarillo with back-to-back victories over San Marcos (Goleta) and an upset over traditional 805 powerhouse Ventura.

Since the Camarillo loss, the Spartans have given up a combined 17 points on defense. Safety Jonathan Lenard, who committed to San Diego State in July and holds eight other offers, leads Rio Mesa’s defense.

Offensively, Josiah King leads the ground attack with 246 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 7.6 yards per carry in the 21-10 win over Ventura. Stevie Houston is the Spartans’ go-to-guy at wide receiver. His 6-foot-3 frame makes him valuable on third and long and red zone situations, but he also comes with a 4.5 40-yard dash time and can use it to his advantage. 

BEST MATCHUP: Brent Peus versus Jonathan Lenard. This will be the first time this year that Peus will go against a national recruit on the opposite side of the field.

DON’T SLEEP ON: Christopher Jellison. Nicknamed “Tick,” the Class of 2017 wide receiver prospect Jellison is an electrifying playmaker equipped with juke moves and velocity after the catch.

GAME INFORMATION: The contest at Peabody Stadium starts at 7 p.m.