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.
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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.