Tasci throws five TDs as Newbury Park routs Thousand Oaks 50-0

Aiden Tasci threw five touchdown passes as Newbury Park shut out rival Thousand Oaks 50-0 on Thursday, Sept. 10.

The Ventura County Star called it one of the most lopsided Conejo Canyon Rivalry games in memory. The Panthers scored all 50 points in the first half, and a running clock governed the second half.

Tasci, a transfer senior from Bishop Alemany, connected with Darrien Johnson on an 80-yard touchdown on the game's first play from scrimmage at Thousand Oaks High School. The Daily News reported it was a slant route, with Johnson using his speed to outrun the Lancers' defense.

Tasci then found receiver Merrick McClure for two more long touchdowns of at least 37 yards each, including an over-the-shoulder grab by McClure.

"I have my full trust in Merrick, and I just gave him a shot," Tasci told the Daily News. "I threw it up and put it (on his) outside shoulder, and he just came down with it."

Running back Tyler Stromsoe added a 3-yard rushing touchdown and a 2-point conversion in the second quarter, pushing the lead to 29-0. Linebacker Simon Mekari capped the scoring with a pick-six near the end of the first half, intercepting a Lancers pass at the 10-yard line and returning it for a touchdown.

Thousand Oaks crossed midfield just twice all game. Newbury Park punted only once, and even that was muffed and recovered by the Panthers.

The win improved Newbury Park to 2-2 and avenged a 17-7 loss to Thousand Oaks last season. Tasci had missed the Panthers' Week 1 loss to Hart on Aug. 28 with an injury, and the team opened 0-2 before rattling off back-to-back wins.

In an Aug. 20 preseason feature in the Thousand Oaks Acorn, assistant coach Doug Dagan said there was no pressure on Tasci as a transfer and praised him for embracing the competition without trying to replace former All-American quarterback Brady Smigiel.

Thousand Oaks fell to 1-3.

Westlake rallies past Laguna Beach

Westlake erased a 14-0 deficit to beat Laguna Beach 28-17 on Thursday, extending the Warriors' regular-season winning streak to 14 games under second-year head coach Rick Clausen.

Sophomore quarterback Ford Green threw three touchdown passes to lead the comeback. He connected with Demare Dezeurn for 74 yards and Erik Green for 16 yards to tie the game at 14-14 with 4:02 left in the first half.

After Laguna Beach retook the lead 17-14 on a third-quarter field goal, Green hit freshman receiver Drew Gamboa for a 41-yard gain deep into Laguna Beach territory. Charles Davis then hauled in an 8-yard touchdown pass from Green to put Westlake ahead 21-17.

Davis caught another touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the final score. Defensive back Tristan Dottin also intercepted a Laguna Beach pass and returned it to the opponent's 28-yard line in the third quarter.

Westlake improved to 4-0.