Now It's Serious: Viewpoint Football Has Big Hopes for League Opener

After years of struggling just to be competitive in 11-man football since moving up in 2004, Viewpoint School is off to a great start with a 4-1 record, and school spirit has never been more vibrant on the small campus in Calabasas.

Now the real work begins.

Viewpoint opens Prep League competition Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against longtime power Rio Hondo Prep of Arcadia, and the showdown figures to be an instant measuring stick for the host Patriots, who are hoping to fit in with the visiting Kares (4-1), along with fellow league favorites Pasadena Poly and Webb of Claremont.

“I think this is real important for us in terms of proving ourselves,” second-year coach Chris Adamson said. “This game will show how far we’ve come as a football program compared to the same time last year. There is no better team historically than Rio Hondo Prep. Year after year, they’re one of the top teams in the division.”

A year ago, Rio Hondo Prep defeated Viewpoint 47-0, preceded by a 44-0 win in 2009, a 53-0 win in 2008 and a 37-0 win in 2007.

A lot has changed this season, including the arrival of quarterback Joey Verhaugh, an impact transfer from Crespi, along with maturation of 1,000-yard running back Adam Markun and  the receiving corps, most of whom were underclassmen last season.

Verhaugh has completed 51 percent of his passes for 775 yards and nine touchdowns, and he has also scored three touchdowns. Markun, a junior, has rushed for 485 yards while averaging nine yards per carry, and he has scored 10 touchdowns.

This year, Viewpoint has versatility, combined with an off-season workout program that has seen most of the returning players come back bigger, stronger and faster.

“I would say I’m happy with the way we’ve been able to put points on the board. We’re scoring a little differently each week,” Adamson said.

Another difference has been the impact new defensive coordinator John DiLuigi has made. A proven winner as a CIF champion at Canyon High in 2005 and 2006, DiLuigi has made quite an impression – and the proof is in the numbers.

Riding a four-game win streak, the Patriots have given up an average of 19 points per game, compared to 35.4 a year ago.

“There’s been a noticeable change. We’re much more consistent defensively,” Adamson said. “We’re still giving up more yards than I would like, but we’ve done a good job of toughening up in the red zone.”

Rio Hondo has just 25 athletes, but the Kares have some playmakers on offense and some tough hitters on defense. Colby Rivera has passed for 607 yards and 10 touchdowns, Alex Taco has rushed for 501 yards and two touchdowns, and Jake Holguin has 21 receptions for 362 yards and eight touchdowns.

Holguin is a 6-foot-3 junior, and Viewpoint needs to stop him to the win the game, as no one else on the team has more than four receptions. If Viewpoint can get in Holguin’s way, Rio Hondo Prep will have to find another way to get things done, and that could take the Kares out of their game plan.

K.J. Moore, a linebacker, averages 7.0 tackles, and he is among several key defenders.

CALABASAS KEEPS PLUGGING AWAY

After playing three of the past four football games, Calabasas has a home game Friday at 7 p.m. against Moorpark, and though the Coyotes figure to be a heavy underdog against the high-powered Musketeers, at least it will be nice for Calabasas to be in front of its home crowd.

Calabasas has lost four in row since an opening home win over Granada Hills, and first-year coach Christian Pierce has been a bit overwhelmed by the team’s injuries – Calabasas was down to its third string quarterback last week in a 52-6 loss at Simi Valley – but the Coyotes plan to keep plugging away.

“We’re going to try to patch some guys up, and we’re going re-arrange some of our schemes,” Pierce said. “This is all part of football, having to face adversity. We’re playing a lot of tough teams, and we’re going to be better because of it.”

The following week, Calabasas plays winless Agoura in another home game, and that should be a good one because both are trying to fight their way out of last place in the 10-team Marmonte League.

Running back Tyson Jones, quarterback Brandon Marin and receiver Caleb Madden have been the top offensive players. Jordan Piece and Matt Guttridge are the leading tacklers.