Ask four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel what he thinks the strongest part of the Newbury Park football team is this season and his answer has more to do with players he’s seldom on the field with.
“Newbury Park is really known for having a good offense and their defense is kind of just lacking. That’s just not the case this year,” Smigiel said. “I think you could put up an argument that our defense is better than our offense.”
The Panthers have consistently fielded a dynamic offense that’s centered on Smigiel and a plethora of receivers. New players are complementing returners to build a defense that is forcing itself into the spotlight and could be critical in Friday’s 7 p.m. home game against Thousand Oaks.
Twelve different players have recorded over 20 total tackles this season with Carter Taylor leading the way with 85. Three other players have 10 tackles for loss or more and eight have had at least one pass breakup.
Middle linebacker Balen Betancourt — a 205-pound junior with 8.1 tackles per game — calls plays for the defensive front and three-star Princeton commit Shane Rosenthal takes care of the secondary.
Newbury Park’s Shane Rosenthal slaps hands with youth football players after scoring on a touchdown pass against Agoura at Newbury Park High School, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, contributing photographer)
Rosenthal, a captain and two-way player, has recorded six interceptions in eight games this season and has returned them for 104 yards. Last season he had 12 picks in 14 games as a junior.
“It’s a fun job,” Rosenthal said. “I like it because I get to talk to everybody, make sure everybody’s on the same page. I’m there for them with whatever they need. If somebody has a call against them and they’re all mad, I gotta calm them down. If they make a great play, I’m gonna be there with them celebrating for them.”
Newbury Park has added multiple pieces to its team this season, including receiver/outside linebacker Kayin Booker, a Portland State commit.
“We have a lot of guys under the radar and we haven’t truly been able to show our talent,” Booker said. “We’ll be able to stop the run and the pass and there’s really no way to prepare for us. You’ve just gotta hope for the best.”
The Panthers have brought together a talented group that could contend for a CIF Southern Section championship all while keeping everyone moving in the same direction.
“I don’t think you’re able to have an ego,” Rosenthal said. “The coaches are going to be on you, the players are going to be on you. We’re going to hold everybody accountable. If you want to play on this team, you’ve got to drop your ego and just let your play do the talking.”
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In other games Friday:
Notre Dame (4-4, 1-2) at Chaminade (1-7, 0-3)
This might be the most evenly-matched Mission League contest of the week. Notre Dame last beat Chaminade in 2018, but its speedy receivers and fleet-footed quarterback, Steele Pizzella, could give the Knights a good chance to come out with a win. Eagles quarterback Cameron Pooley has three reliable targets in Devin Olmande, Elias Holloway and Logan Carpenter.
Royal (2-6, 0-3) at Moorpark (6-2, 2-1)
Moorpark is tied with Oak Park for second in the Channel League and a win over Royal could give them the chance to clinch second place. Quarterback Luke Eldridge averages 175 passing yards per game and has thrown 11 touchdown passes. Cooper Cronquist is the leading receiver with 899 yards and 10 touchdowns and has logged six tackles for loss on defense. Caden Pugh and Jonathan Arreola are Royal’s leading rushers with 307 and 255 yards, respectively. Arreola also leads the team in tackles with seven per game.
El Camino Real (3-5 , 2-1) at Cleveland (4-4, 2-1)
These two teams are battling for control of second place in the West Valley League behind unbeaten Birmingham. El Camino Real beat Granada Hills Charter 7-6 in its last contest with a strong defensive effort led by Takia Campbell’s nine solo tackles. Cleveland running back Cameron Green has rushed for 560 yards and five touchdowns in his sophomore season and four other backs have rushed for 230 yards or more. Matthew Mondragon has 5.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss on the season.