The Daily News is counting down the teams ranked in the preseason top 10 for 2018:
No. 8 Moorpark Musketeers
Head Coach: Ryan Huisenga (2nd year)
2017 Record: 11-3, CIF Division 5 runner-up
Division: CIF Southern Section Division 3
Key players: Drake London, WR, Sr.; Blake Sturgill, QB, Jr.; Jaeger Hoffman, LB, Sr.; Tyler Clark, OL, Sr.; Ian Meier, RB, Sr.; Joaquin Sandoval, DB, Sr.
Outlook: Moorpark exceeded expectations in 2017. Not only did the Musketeers make their first playoff appearance since 2012, they reached the Division 5 finals. Despite coming up short against Paraclete, the taste of success is a norm at Moorpark under second-year head coach Ryan Huisenga, who has been part of the program for 12 years.
“We always talk about family and the team has embraced that,” Huisenga said. “We lead by committee, it’s not just one guy.”
On offense, Moorpark will lean on returning junior quarterback Blake Sturgill and USC-bound wide receiver Drake London.
“I felt I just stayed in my lane last year,” Sturgill said. “Now, I feel more comfortable on the field and commanding the huddle.”
The Camino League has shifted in a way that may favor the Musketeers. Calabasas and Newbury Park are now in the Marmonte League, and Grace Brethren, Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara), Camarillo and Thousand Oaks make up the new Camino League.
London, whose recent commitment to USC is to play football and basketball, is ready to embrace the pressures of being a high-level recruit.
“I feel like it puts a target on my back,” London said. “Corners are going to want to shut me down, get in my head, but I’m a competitor. It will make me play better.”
Biggest question: Can Moorpark handle the pressure of being the “big dog” in the new Camino League?
No more surprises, every teams knows what Moorpark is capable of – which creates more expectations and leaves no room for complacency.
Sturgill has proven himself as a good quarterback; London is a bonafide matchup issue; and linebacker Jaeger Hoffman is poised to lead a tough-nosed and versatile defense.
Although teams like Calabasas and Newbury Park are in a different league (Marmonte), the new teams that make up the Camino League include defending Division 8 champion Grace Brethren and Division 6 winner Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara).
With Moorpark being the highest-placed divisional team in the league, all the pressure is on the Musketeers to win the league. Their schedule helps – Moorpark has just three regular-season games on the road.
Schedule:
All games 7 p.m.
Aug. 24 vs. Burbank
Aug. 31 at Notre Dame Sherman Oaks
Sept. 8 vs. Higley, Ariz.
Sept. 14 vs. Westlake
Sept. 21 vs. Simi Valley
Sept. 28 vs. Thousand Oaks
Oct. 5 at Grace Brethren*
Oct. 12 vs. Camarillo*
Oct. 19 vs. Bishop Diego*
Oct. 26 at Newbury Park*
*League game
