Saturday, September 2, 2017

Week One Ventura County Star Game-of-the-Week Podcast


Friday, September 1, 2017:

It was time for another edition of the Ventura County Star's High School Football Game-of-the-Week podcast and I was going to work once again as the color commentator with play-by-play announcer Danny Page and sideline reporter Will Cowen.

These podcasts are always fun for me and tonight we had a special game, after a five season absence, the renewal of one of Ventura County's best rivalries . . .

The visiting Warriors were
1-0 on the campaign

They also held the lead in the all-time series between these two schools 17-13-3 thanks to having won the previous four games against the . . .

 Thousand Oaks Lancers
0-1 this season

The blow-up run through
tunnels was ready

 The Lancers would have to play
with a ton of pride tonight against
the heavily favored Warriors

 The Freshmen teams played the
preliminary contest

The Lancers have had to cancel their 2017 JV season due to only having seven Sophomores out for football.

How is that even possible at this school with such a rich football tradition?

Since I coached and taught at both of these schools back in the 1970s and 1980s, I got to enjoy seeing lots of familiar faces before the Varsity game began.

 With former TOHS players,
coaches and counselors

From L. to R.: Dave Hilliard, Dale Ackerman, George Contreras, Jack Loritz and Steve Ornelaz

With former WHS 1978-79
halfback Dave Halub

I loved coaching this meticulous athlete back in the day but it looks like Dave is a TOHS fan now.

It was a HOT, HUMID night

The Warriors took the field first

The Lancers in the distance

Warrior Jalen Turner about to
be tackled by Lancer Paul Worthy

High and tight, Jalen, HIGH AND TIGHT!

Lancer QB Chase Artopoeus getting
introduced to Westlake's Will Lyman

Lancer Ryan Vasquez
carrying the rock

TD LANCERS!
Chase Artopoeus on the score

57-31 Westlake was the final score

The game was as wild and woolly as the score indicated.

The Westlake Warriors were clearly the better team but their numerous penalties kept the Lancers in the game for a long time.

As for the Lancers, I thought that they played a gutty game against overwhelming odds. Their coaching staff got as much out of them as possible given the circumstances.

We'll be at it again next Friday night to podcast our next game as the Rio Mesa Spartans (2-0) travel up the coast to play the Ventura Cougars (2-0).

It should be another high scoring affair if the results of the first two weeks are true to form.

No comments: