JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers BIG GAME ON TAP—Simi Valley’s Lorne Bell goes up high to snag a pass during last weekend’s Pioneer victory over Westlake. Simi takes on Newbury Park tonight at 7 p.m. in a battle for first place in the Marmonte League. First place in the Marmonte League standings will be at stake tonight when the Newbury Park Panthers host the Simi Valley Pioneers.

Simi Valley is fresh off a 2923 come-from-behind victory in Week 5 over Westlake. Newbury Park downed Calabasas, 43-7, last weekend on the road.

Both teams are riding high heading into Friday’s matchup.

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers SHOOTING THE GAP—The Westlake offensive line has everyone accounted for on this pitch play except for Simi Valley linebacker Andrew Virzi, No. 52. The Panthers have reeled off four consecutive wins after losing the season opener to Verbum Dei. Led by quarterback Jordan LaSecla, the Southern Section’s leader in passing yardage (1,589 yards), the Newbury Park offense is averaging 37.8 points per game during the team’s current four-game winning streak.

Panther wide receiver Josh Baker leads the Marmonte in receiving yards (724), while averaging 144.8 yards per game. Wideout Jordan Cameron ranks fourth in the league with 511 yards receiving. Cameron has also scored 10 touchdowns.

“The bottom line with these guys is that you can’t control them, so you try to contain them,” Simi first-year head coach Todd Borowski said. “Are they going to get their completions? Yes they are. But if they’re going to score, we need to make them drive down the field.”

Simi Valley, off to its first 5-0 start in school history, has loads of talent at the skill positions as well.

Pioneer running back Devin Kelley had 204 yards on 23 carries and scored three touchdowns during the win over Westlake. The senior ball carrier ranks first in the league with 12 touchdowns and third in rushing yards (675).

Senior quarterback Bryan Randolph has thrown for 916 yards and has twice as many touchdown passes (six) as interceptions (three).

Wideouts Lorne Bell and T.J. Washington are a talented receiving duo that’s combined for 696 yards through five games. Both players also start in the Pioneers’ defensive secondary.

“Figuring out how to stop those guys is why I have all this grey hair,” Newbury Park head coach George Hurley said. “(Simi) kind of looks likes the team we played the first week and lost to because once they break the line of scrimmage, they’re gone.

“We’ll try to get to them as quickly as possible, gang tackle, pursuit, all of that kind of stuff,” Hurley said. “It’s hard to simulate speed, though. You can’t practice against speed you don’t have.”

This contest also marks the beginning of a demanding stretch of games for both schools.

Over the next month, Simi has road tilts against Thousand Oaks and Agoura, in addition to home matchups vs. Moorpark and Royal.

Newbury Park still has Moorpark, Royal, Westlake and Thousand Oaks on the schedule.

The tough road ahead places an even greater emphasis on getting a win this week, said Borowski.

“We haven’t made our mark. Our mark doesn’t mean anything unless we make the playoffs,” Borowski said. “If we finish up 5-5, who cares that we won the first five games because we won’t be in the playoffs.”

Newbury Park is also eyeing a postseason berth and knows a win over the Pioneers would provide momentum for the stretch run.

“If we go 2-3 the rest of the season, make the playoffs and have to go to St. Bonaventure, that doesn’t help us much,” Hurley said. “That’s why it’s important to keep playing well.”

Players to Watch

Simi Valley Newbury Park

QB Bryan Randolph RB Devin Kelley

QB Jordan LaSecla

WR Josh Baker

WR T.J. Washington WR Jordan Cameron

WR/S Lorne Bell LB Travis Dickey

Outlook

If it’s playmakers you fancy, then this game is a must-see

event. The matchup between Simi’s Washington and Bell

going against Newbury Park’s Baker and Cameron should

be a classic battle of strength against strength. Both offenses will put up points, but it’ll be the defenses that likely

decide the outcome. With a possible shootout on tap, the team with the final possession could pull out the victory.