Wrapping Up the Weekend's Football Action

Sunday, September 15, 2024

It's a good time to tie up a few loose ends about the weekend's football activities.

We'll start with a recap of Jacob's Camarillo Stingers Blue Pop Warner team's league activities.

Gold Coast Youth Football League

Junior American Conference

Saturday, September 14, 2024 Results

Camarillo Singers Blue (4-0) - 36 2OT

Oxnard Knights (1-2) - 28

Santa Clarita Aztecs (4-0) - 32

Camarillo Grey (2-1) - 0

Calabasas Rams Gold (1-3) - 14

Santa Clarita Grizzlies (1-3) - 0

Ventura Packers White (1-2) - 38

Saugus Spartans Grey (1-3) - 24

North Valley Bears (3-0) - 20

Simi Valley Bulldogs Black (2-1) - 18

Simi Valley Orange (1-2) - 46

Santa Barbara Saints Black (0-4) - 26

Saugus Spartans White (2-2) - 34

Newbury Park Steelers Gold (1-2) - 0

Bye:

Santa Clarita Wildcats White (2-1)

GCYFL American Junior Conference

Week #4 Standings

1T. Camarillo Stingers Blue 4-0

Santa Clarita Aztecs 4-0

3. North Valley Bears 3-0

4T. Camarillo Stingers Grey 2-1

Santa Clarita Wildcats White 2-1

Simi Valley Bulldogs Black 2-1

7. Saugus Spartans White 2-2

8T. Newbury Park Steelers Gold 1-2

Oxnard Knights 1-2

Simi Valley Bulldogs Orange 1-2

Ventura Packers White 1-2

12T. Calabasas Rams Gold 1-3

Santa Clarita Grizzlies 1-3

Saugus Spartans Grey 1-3

15. Santa Barbara Saints Black 0-4

Saturday, September 21, 2024 Schedule

Santa Clarita Grizzlies (1-3) at

Oxnard Knights (1-2)

North Valley Bears (3-0) at

Santa Barbara Saints Black (0-4)

Simi Valley Bulldogs Orange (1-2) at

Ventura Packers White (1-2)

Saugus Spartans Grey (1-3) at

Newbury Park Steelers Gold (1-2)

Simi Valley Bulldogs Black (2-1) at

Santa Clarita Wildcats White (2-1)

Saugus Spartans White (2-2) at

Camarillo Stingers Grey (2-1)

Newbury Park Steelers Gold (1-1) at

Saugus Spartans White (1-2)

Byes:

Camarillo Stingers Blue (4-0)

Calabasas Rams Gold (1-3)

Santa Clarita Aztecs (4-0)

Since Jacob's Stingers Blue team has a Bye next weekend, we have decided to take advantage of the lull in the schedule to take another of our annual college football weekend treks.

We have done this each of the past two seasons and have had a grand time both times.

In November of 2022, son Michael and grandson Jacob joined me for a flight to Seattle to see the Colorado Buffaloes play the Washington Huskies.

Jacob got a great tour of the

campus and the football facilities

A night game in Seattle in November

is, was usual, a tad chilly

Seeing the Huskies beat the Buffaloes

54-7 made the weather more tolerable

In 2023, our college football trip took us to New York to see the Boston College Eagles on the road against Army's Black Knights of the Hudson.

In my opinion, every true college football fan must make the pilgrimage to West Point to see a game at least once in their life.

Again, a tour of the campus and

the football facilities was mandatory

Not only did it rain that day,

it POURED!

Our seats on the visiting side were sans cover. Thus when the tremendous rainstorm that was predicted hit us we had two choices, run for cover underneath the stands or watch the game and possibly drown.

As we were armed with ponchos purchased at the Big Five store in Camarillo, watching the game was a no brainer.

Many fans left at halftime

We used these departures to migrate to the home side and watch the Second Half as close to the game as possible.

On that wet, crisp October day, the Eagles prevailed over the Black Knights 27-24.

Our plan for this weekend's bye week/travel opportunity is a four day excursion to the greater Washington, D.C. area.

With both Michael and Jacob being serious Civil War buffs, we are planning visits to the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park in West Virginia, the Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland and the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania.

It sounds daunting but we have Thursday and Friday to see these sacred, historical venues.

The drive from Harpers Ferry to Antietam is only 35 minutes. After that, it will take us but an hour to motor our way from Antietam to our main point of interest, Gettysburg.

As for the our college game this Saturday, it should be good one as we take our road trip to Annapolis, Maryland.

Memphis Tigers (3-0)

at

Navy Midshipmen (2-0)

After the positive impression that West Point made on Jacob last year, we thought that Navy deserved equal time this year.

Does this mean an Air Force game in 2025? 

It appears possible.

How did our favorite college and NFL teams do over the weekend?

NOT A GOOD SATURDAY

The Washington State Cougars are now 3-0 after winning the Apple Cup game. The loss drops the Washington Huskies to 2-1.

The Cougars will now host the 3-0 San José State Spartans this coming Friday.

The Huskies will need to regroup quickly as they open BIG-10 Conference play at home on Saturday against the 2-1 Northwestern Wildcats.

NOT A GOOD SUNDAY EITHER

It was only Week #2 of the NFL season but our Los Angeles Rams (0-2) are already bruised, battered and injured at spots all over the roster.

The road loss to the Arizona Cardinals (1-1) leaves the Rams as the only NFC West team without a win in 2024.

The Rams will host the arch-rival San Francisco 49ers (1-1) on Sunday while the Cardinals will be at home again against the Detroit Lions (1-1).

We are all really excited about this coming weekend's Historical Adventure back East!

Camarillo Stingers at Oxnard Knights Pop Warner Game

Saturday, September 14, 2024

It was a cool, overcast day, a definite break from the oppressive heat of the last few weeks.

In other words, it was a BEAUTIFUL day for American football!

Thus, we headed to Channel Islands H.S. in Oxnard for a Pop Warner game.

Jacob would not be suiting up today due to his ongoing back issues that started on Wednesday. He is feeing better but was still not ready for the contact that playing Defensive End, Wide Receiver and all Special Teams would require.

We were still there to support the Stingers.

Gold Coast Youth Football League

Week #4

4 Wins - o Losses

at

1 Win - 1 Loss

The games between these two clubs the past two years have offered the same plot. Oxnard had a small number of players on their roster who played extremely hard in the First Half before wilting in the heat and losing in the Second Half in large part to the Stingers superior numbers.

Today there was no heat, the number of players suited out on both sidelines was about the same and injuries to the Stingers were all in play.

For Camarillo, the big issue was at Quarterback. The projected starting QB broke his wrist in practice before the first game was even played and is scheduled to return for the last game of the regular season. The backup QB played extremely well in the first three weeks of the season but broke his collar bone in last week's game against the Ventura Packers.

Next man up!

We would be going with a Wide Receiver at QB in this one and a left hander to boot.

#22 for the Knights was a

one-man wrecking crew

A "Three and Out" by the Stingers Defense was a good start but it would not be repeated.

#21 at QB ready to lead the squad

Our Offensive Line was intact

which boosted everyone's confidence

The Stingers were definitely NOT

shy about going to the air early on

The Ground Game was in sync

Catch the pass and RUN!

The Pass Blocking today was

EXCELLENT!

This short pass to #85 was completed

Knocking on Door

The Stingers ran the ball into the End Zone to take the early lead. The Knights stopped the Camarillo two-point conversion attempt.

End of the First Quarter

 Camarillo 6 - Oxnard 0

The ensuing Knights' drive was irritating

in its simplicity and its efficiency

Their plan was simple enough, give the ball to #22 over and over and over again.

He truly was a marvelous ball carrier with equal parts power and speed combined with a humble demeanor that I liked.

Occasionally another Knight got the

call to tote the rock . . .

. . . but #22 was the main culprit

It often looked like a scene from "The Wreck of the Hesperus" with Stinger bodies bouncing off of him.

The fact that the Knights converted on three Third and Long situations on this long, time consuming drive added to Camarillo's concern.

Gang Tackling was the only answer

Is their coach allowed on the field?

Thankfully, the Stingers pursuit arrived but the Knights had converted one of those aforementioned Third and Long situations.

MUCH better by the Camarillo

Defense on this play . . .

. . . but not so much on this one

Oxnard's #22 had his first TD of the day but the Stingers did stop the Knights' two-point attempt. The score was tied at 6-6 with 2:39 left in the First Half.

On the Stingers first Offensive play, the Knights intercepted a long pass. This would be the first of four Camarillo turnovers that certainly made the outcome of the game interesting.

The Oxnard receiver with the

pink gloves is OPEN!

Not #22 again

#22 with his second TD of the day

The Knights converted on their two-point try to lead 14-6 with only 48.8 seconds remaining in the Second Quarter.

Could the Stingers respond?

A pass in the Flat to a Stingers RB

looked like a short gain . . .

. . . until the receiver broke a

few tackles and . . .

. . . cruised into the End Zone

for about a 50-yard TD!

Going for TWO using the same play!

Complete but Uh-Oh . . .

. . . can he break this tackle?

Yes INDEED!

With 21.2 seconds left in the First Half, we were all tied up once again at 14-14.

Did the Stingers leave too much time on the clock for Oxnard's #22?

#22 getting to the Edge

This looks much better to me

Five Stingers' defenders closing

in on #22 to end the Second Quarter

Halftime

 Camarillo 14 - Oxnard 14

While Oxnard relies on #22 to advance

the ball, the Stingers use three RBs

to effectively run the rock

Another efficient Camarillo

short pass completion

#22 plays Defense too for Oxnard

and turned this juggling interception . . .

. . . into a Pick-Six to start the

third stanza

It was his third TD on the day. The Stingers stopped the Knights' two-point PAT attempt again. With 8:38 left in the Third Quarter it was Oxnard 20 - Camarillo 14.

Patience on the ground

More much needed swarming

by the Camarillo Defense

The Stingers primary RB, #25,

was having a GREAT day too

Running wild around the right flank

Cut and Slash with a lead blocker

This big pass completion led to . . .

. . . another Camarillo rushing TD

The Knights' Defense stopped the Stingers' two-point play. The game was tied again with 1:23 left in the Third Quarter.

End of the Third Quarter

 Camarillo 20 - Oxnard 20

A solid one-on-one tackle

More of the Camarillo rushing attack

Camarillo's #25 is TOUGH!

Camarillo was excited to see someone

other than #22 carry the ball

GREAT arm wrap bought down

#22 this time!

So did this AWESOME example of

swarming the ball carrier

A lot of good Defense by both teams led to a scoreless Fourth Quarter.

End of the Fourth Quarter

 Camarillo 20 - Oxnard 20

Overtime it was then!

They use the high school overtime tie-breaker by placing the ball at the ten yard line, First and Goal.

Each team gets a possession. If they are still tied after the first overtime they repeat the process again until we have a winner.

Since no one at this level kicks extra points of field goals, there really is only one strategy, score a TD and make your two-point PAT.

On the Stingers first play of Overtime,

our RB got to the Edge . . .

. . . turned the Corner . . .

. . . and scored the needed TD!

The two-point PAT Pass was PERFECT!

Camarillo led 28-20 but now it was #22's, I mean Oxnard's, turn in the Overtime period.

SURPRISE!

As expected, #22 got the ball. He was swarmed by the Stingers but still moved the pile about four yards after contact through sheer power and determination.

#22 scored his fourth TD of the game

behind this block on Fourth Down

Could Camarillo stop him on the ensuing two-point play?

No

End of the First Overtime

 Camarillo 28 - Oxnard 28

Only one thing we could do now, a Second Overtime.

TD CAMARILLO!

The Two point conversion was successful and the Stingers had a 36-28 lead.

Again, it was Oxnard's turn to respond.

An excellent Third Down pass

break-up by this Stingers DB on

a pass to, who else, the Knights' #22

It was now Fourth Down and everybody in the Western Hemisphere knew who was getting the ball.

The Oxnard coaching knew it too, so they opted to have #22 throw a Sweep Pass to his right. The Stingers Defense swarmed him yet again but he improvised and reversed his field to the left.

Was anybody wearing a white uniform left on that side of the field?

Fortunately, yes!

But could they bring him down?

HANG ON #15!

He was brought to the ground

at the ten yard line, GAME OVER!

WHAT A GAME!

Our young Stingers showed a lot of resiliency, grit and determination in winning this one against a tough Oxnard team that came to play today.

Overcoming a deficit turnover margin of 0-4 in the game and still winning against a this Knights club was amazing.

Final Score

DOUBLE Overtime

 Camarillo (4-0) - 36

Oxnard (1-2) - 28

The Stingers have a bye next week before resuming play on Saturday, September 28th at Camarillo H.S. at 5:00 p.m. against a good Simi Valley Bulldogs Black (2-1) team that lost 20-18 today to the North Valley Bears (3-0).

After the game with John DuBose

John and I coached together for several years at Rio Mesa H.S. He is one of the best, most honorable person I have ever met over the many years of involvement in American football.

It was great to catch up him again today.