Something has to give
Rio Mesa's explosive offense challenges Oxnard's stingy defense in a battle of Pacific View League powers
Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

Early on this season, Rio Mesa's football team showcased an explosive offense that has averaged 33 points a game, including three games in which it scored over 40 points.

Oxnard's football team shares the same 4-1 record as Rio Mesa, but they've done it with defense, only allowing 13 points a game.

When Rio Mesa travels to Oxnard tonight, something has to give in an early showdown that could determine the Pacific View League title.

Although the Spartans have scored 93 points combined the last two weeks, getting into the end zone should be a tough task this week against Oxnard.

"I'm sure they are going to be ready for us," Rio Mesa head coach Bob Gregorchuk said. "I think they are going to be hungrier this week after their loss to Ventura last week, just like we were more focused after our loss earlier in the season to Agoura.

"They are our borderline rivals and whoever comes out on top in this game will be front runners for the league title," he said.

The passing game for Rio Mesa has been great so far, with senior quarterback Shane Austin throwing for 1,011 yards on the year. Austin is coming off his best game last week in which he completed 17-of-21 passes for 407 yards and three touchdowns.

PUTTING UP POINTS-Above, Rio Mesa quarterback Shane Austin fakes the handoff to Malachi Lewis (No. 25). Left, Austin makes a call at the line of scrimmage. With Lewis and Austin leading the charge, Rio Mesa's offense is averaging 33 points per game.

Austin's primary target has been senior Josh Harrison, who has 16 receptions for 385 yards and four touchdowns.

Harrison exploded last week as well, catching eight balls for 224 yards. Harrison credits his and Austin's success to the two working together more this past summer in a camp for the YAC Foundation.

"We worked together over the summer, and I think the repetition from the camps we were in have helped," Harrison said. "We had a lot of help as well from coaches like Bob Gagliano, Chris Thomas and John Diaz."

Though the air attack has been great, to beat Oxnard's tough defense the Spartans will have to run the ball.

Senior Malachi Lewis is hoping the passing game will help open holes for the running game. Lewis has rushed 79 times for 322 yards. He thinks the offense will be fine and will take whatever is given to them.

"We're not going to adjust to them; they will have to adjust to us," Lewis said.

Austin agreed with Lewis, saying that the style of defense Oxnard brings will dictate how the Spartans attack.

"Obviously we would like to stay balanced on offense and establish the running game," Austin said. "But we'll run the ball if they give us the run, and we'll keep passing the ball if they give us the pass. The key is just taking what they give us."

Gregorchuk believes several matchups favor Oxnard, but if RMHS can take care of the little things, they should be alright.

"Speed-wise, they match up very well with us," Gregorchuk said. "They have an excellent defensive line, and we are going to have to block better in order for our running game to improve. We never want to be too one-dimensional, but if they keep putting six to nine guys in the box like teams have been doing against us, then we are going to keep passing. They will just have to choose their poison."

While Gregorchuk said the running game must improve, he has been very impressed with the passing game and the play of Austin.

"He's more coachable this year," Gregorchuk said. "He's

taking the coaches' advice better and making his adjustments very well. He put in a whole lot of work in the offseason, and I think he understands the game better now because of it."

Though Gregorchuk believes this is one of the biggest games of the year for his team, he also thinks the league is tougher this year than in the past.

"We like to play one game at a time, but at the start of the year there were a couple games I circled that would be big," Gregorchuk said. "I think even though Camarillo started out slow, they will be tough to beat. I think Hueneme will also be tough. And Oxnard is another one. It's going to be a good game."

The game starts tonight in Oxnard at 7 p.m.