Miraleste’s Air Attack Grounded in 15-9 Loss to Moorpark

With a young football team, Miraleste High School Coach Tony Bantula likes to keep things simple--pounding out the yards on the ground.

But when Miraleste got the ball with five minutes left in the game Saturday afternoon, trailing by six points to visiting Moorpark, Bantula instructed his team to pass the ball.

On the final drive, Miraleste’s air attack stalled at the Moorpark 35-yard line and Moorpark (2-1) held on for a 15-9 victory.

Miraleste fell to 1-2.

“I hope it’s because of youth and inexperience,” Bantula said. “I hope it’s not because of coaching.”

Miraleste had only three seniors in uniform. The team’s hopes of a last-ditch scoring drive rested with a trio of juniors--quarterback Steve Cooper, tight end Victor Glusac and tailback Danny Sarner.

Cooper connected with Glusac three times on the final drive for 44 yards, but on a key second and 10 play at Moorpark’s 35, Glusac was leveled by Moorpark strong safety Chung Ho and dropped a would-be first-down reception.

Sarner--who rushed for 906 yards last year--ran for 124 yards on 27 attempts, but failed to score. Miraleste’s 9-0 halftime lead came on field goals by Brett Ostergard of 41, 39 and 37 yards.

But Moorpark got its offense going behind Toussaint Powdrill (70 yards rushing, 75 receiving) and quarterback Ryan Huisenga.

Five plays after a third-quarter Cooper fumble at Miraleste’s 26, Huisenga lobbed a seven-yard pass to Chris Aguilar for a touchdown.

In the fourth, Huisenga led Moorpark on an 80-yard, 12-play drive. Huisenga capped the drive by throwing to Steve Dupon, who was diving across the right corner of the end zone, for a 15-yard touchdown with 5:05 left. Powdrill added the two-point conversion.