Football: Moorpark comes out of summer hiding

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Moorpark, another top team from the strong Marmonte League, has been largely missing in action this summer. Coach Tim Lins had his team take its mandatory break early in the summer, so getting the chance to see the Musketeers Friday in the St. Francis tournament was important.

And let me say Moorpark is going to be a factor when Ventura St. Bonaventure, Westlake Village Westlake, Oaks Christian and Thousand Oaks all go gunning for the league title this fall.

The Musketeers’ new quarterback is expected to be junior Grant Rohach, younger brother of last year’s starter, Brody Rohach. He guided the sophomore team to a 10-0 record and showed some precision throws Friday.

But the strength of Moorpark is its linebackers with Minnesota-bound Quinn Bauducco and 6-foot-4 Jake Woolley, who also plays baseball. Their athleticism and toughness should help raise the intensity level of players around them. Moorpark is going to run the ball, and Lins is high on several players moving up from that unbeaten sophomore team.

St. Francis’ new quarterback, left-hander Brett Nelson, appears to be a dependable, solid passer and leader. He transferred from Los Angeles Loyola before last season, and now it’s his team.
The big surprise was seeing how good 6-5 senior quarterback Hunter Merryman looked for Pasadena Poly. He passed for 18 touchdowns with only two interceptions as a junior. He was all-league in football and baseball and All-Southern Section in basketball last season. Considering he’s playing all three sports this summer, his timing and velocity on his throws was impressive. He could end up at an Ivy League school.

UPDATE: Simi Valley Royal, yet another Marmonte League team, won the championship, defeating Crescenta Valley in the final.

-- Eric Sondheimer