Brice Hawkins, Simi Valley football beat Thousand Oaks to stay unbeaten
Thousand Oaks’ Justin Lewis fumbles the ball while under pressure from Simi Valley’s Jayden Graham during their nonleague game on Friday night at Thousand Oaks High. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Brice Hawkins carries the ball for Simi Valley as they travel to Thousand Oaks for a non-league football game Sept. 20, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Tagg Harrison throws a pass for Simi Valley as they travel to Thousand Oaks for a non-league football game Sept. 20, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Thousand Oaks hosts Simi Valley for a non-league football game Sept. 20, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Brice Hawkins celebrates a touchdown for Simi Valley as they travel to Thousand Oaks for a non-league football game Sept. 20, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Simi Valley’s Jayden Graham tries to tackle Cory McEnroe of Thousand Oaks Sept. 20, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Tagg Harrison carries the ball for Simi Valley as they play Thousand Oaks Sept. 20, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Thousand Oaks’ Justin Lewis carries the ball as Simi Valley’s Thomas Humphrey tries to make the tackle Sept. 20, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Simi Valley running back Brice Hawkins carries the ball during their nonleague game against Thousand Oaks on Friday night at Thousand Oaks High. Hawkins scored four touchdowns in a 42-28 win. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
1 of 9
Thousand Oaks’ Justin Lewis fumbles the ball while under pressure from Simi Valley’s Jayden Graham during their nonleague game on Friday night at Thousand Oaks High. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
THOUSAND OAKS — Simi Valley running back Brice Hawkins used every tool in his bag on Friday night against Thousand Oaks.
The senior dodged, ducked and demolished his way through the Lancers’ defense, breaking through and slipping past would-be-tacklers throughout the game.
Hawkins scored a pair of touchdowns in each half and ran for 129 yards to help lead the Pioneers to a 42-28 nonleague win at Thousand Oaks High.
“We had a plan for us to carry the load this game and we did what we needed to do tonight,” Hawkins said. “I feel like my O-Line really stepped up again for me. Feels great to be out here and staying healthy as always.”
Hawkins scored on a 23-yard run on the Pioneers’ opening drive and scored twice from the goal line.
He even returned a kickoff to the Lancers’ 18-yard line after a Thousand Oaks touchdown in the fourth quarter. He scored three plays later, quelling any chance of a Thousand Oaks comeback.
“We go through kick return, we go through special teams everyday, that’s what we’re best at,” Hawkins said. “We don’t talk. They know we’re fast, we’re physical. We do this.”
While Hawkins got his team’s offense going on the ground, quarterback Tagg Harrison manufactured well-executed drives with the passing game, connecting with six different receivers.
Simi Valley’s offensive line got banged up, forcing others to step up. But they still protected Harrison in the pocket and opened up running lanes for Hawkins.
Simi Valley head coach Jim Benkert was impressed with his team’s ability to step up after dealing with key injuries.
“The running backs do their job and they know they can’t do it without the offensive line,” Benkert said. “We lost two of our same position tackles, we were down to our third tackle and they held up. Those guys came ready to play and did their job and the skill guys were special.”
Thousand Oaks was led by junior quarterback Jackson Taylor, who threw three touchdown passes, two of which went to wideout Hayden Vercher.
San Fernando football uses powerful offense to defeat Canoga Park
Cory McEnroe also scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Taylor.
“I can’t say enough about their special teams play. They’re the best high school special teams team I’ve seen, top to bottom,” Thousand Oaks head coach Ben McEnroe said. “Felt like we were right there with them most of the game. We had some poor field position, but we did drive the ball and hung in there.”
Simi Valley improved to 5-0 with the Marmonte League schedule beginning on Oct. 4 at home against St. Bonaventure.
Thousand Oaks (3-2) will also enter its bye week and has an Oct. 5 home date against Conejo Coast foe Calabasas on the docket.
Related Posts:
Hot start by Thousand Oaks girls volleyball a product of confidence and fundamentals News Thousand Oaks’ Hailey Lauritzen (22) hits against Oaks Christian, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at Oaks Christian. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, contributing photographer) Thousand Oaks head coach James Park talks to his team during their game against Oaks Christian, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at Oaks Christian. (Photo by Michael Owen…
Vehicle fatally strikes pedestrian in Sherman Oaks/Valley Glen area News Police are investigating a collision that killed a pedestrian late Wednesday in the Sherman Oaks/Valley Glen area of the San Fernando Valley. Los Angeles Police Department officers were called at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of Hazeltine Avenue and Burbank Boulevard, where they found the victim, an LAPD spokesman…
Oaks Christian football beats Serra with strong effort on defense News WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Oaks Christian football coach Charlie Collins called Thursday night’s game against Gardena Serra an “earmark game.” The Lions beat Serra 13-6 in a game in which they had no offensive touchdowns. The win erased the weight of losing to Serra last season and Santa Margarita last week.…
Thailand’s adorable pygmy hippo Moo Deng has the kind of face that launches a thousand memes News By JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI, Associated Press CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — Only a month after Thailand’s adorable baby hippo Moo Deng was unveiled on Facebook, her fame became unstoppable. Fans unable to make the two-hour drive to Khao Kheow Open Zoo from the Thai capital Bangkok to see her in person can…
FaZe Clan Twitch-streaming house in Sherman Oaks swatted with false murder report News A group of Twitch streaming gamers in a Sherman Oaks “content house” who are affiliated with an esports entity known as FaZe Clan were swatted during a livestream after a 911 caller falsely reported a double murder at the rental home. Los Angeles police swarmed the streamers’ residence about 2:30…
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok