Moorpark Sets Tone Early, 55-0

Moorpark College needed just two series to establish the tone of Saturday’s 55-0 win over Compton College.

Freddie Bradley set the offensive tone by returning the opening kickoff 45 yards to the Compton 46-yard line, then carrying the ball on five of the next 10 offensive plays before scoring on a one-yard plunge less than five minutes into the game.

And, after the ensuing kickoff, outside linebacker Tom Briggs set the defensive tone by dashing through the Compton line and sacking Compton quarterback Kojuan Williams for losses of nine and two yards on the first two snaps.

“I thought we were overpowering on defense and it was a great feeling going through their line so easily,” Briggs said.

Moorpark (3-0, 2-0 in Western State Conference play) rolled up 555 yards in total offense. Meanwhile, the defense held Compton (0-3, 0-2) to 187 yards in recording its second consecutive shutout.

And it could have been worse. The Raiders fumbled the ball away three times in Compton territory, including one Bradley fumble inside the 15-yard line.

“Compton just didn’t have too much going for them offensively and their defense was tired from being on the field, so I don’t look at this game too seriously,” Moorpark Coach Jim Bittner said. “We fumbled the ball too much and we had too many penalties. We have to eliminate them before we play Pierce next week.”

Bradley gained 83 yards in 11 carries before leaving the game after his 61-yard touchdown dash early in the third quarter gave Moorpark a 28-0 lead.

Former Thousand Oaks High standout Marc Monestime broke loose for 137 yards in 10 carries, including a 56-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

“I really needed this game to get my momentum . . . going again,” Monestime said. “Bradley is so dangerous. He really got us going and the line really opened up the holes and made it easy for me. I finally feel good today.”

Quarterback Jayson Merrill completed 12 of 17 passes for 238 yards.