Ex-Moorpark Football Standout to Leave Humboldt State

Marc Palacios, one of the top linebackers in Moorpark High history before one red-shirt season at Humboldt State this past year, is coming home. He said he’s leaving after the semester to join the team at Ventura College.

“I think by going back to Ventura College, I can eventually get a better scholarship,” Palacios said. “I don’t know. I think I’ve grown up a lot more, and I think I can do a lot better than Humboldt State.”

As a senior at Moorpark in 2009, Palacios, a 6-foot, 220-pounder, helped Moorpark to an 11-2-1 record and a berth in the Northern Division semifinals, as the Musketeers climbed to No. 8 in the Maxpreps state rankings.

Palacios, who also was a top baseball player in high school, is keeping in good shape.

“I’m ready to tear it up and get ready for next year,” Palacios said.

MOORPARK BASEBALL PLAYERS MAKES THEIR PITCH

Matt Higginbotham and Jordan Guerrero, two of the Marmonte League’s top pitchers, are developing into a great one-two punch for Moorpark High’s baseball team, and both have already thrown a no-hitter.

Higginbotham is 3-2 with a 2.39 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 26.3 innings. Guerrero is 2-2 with a 2.42 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 26 innings. Higginbotham, who was 6-2 as a junior, is a returning standout that everyone knew about; Guerrero has come on strong this season.

“Jordan has been outstanding. His strikeout numbers are ridiculous,” Fullerton said.

Another effective pitcher is sophomore Steven Donlon, who is 2-0 with one save and a 1.96 ERA.  Moorpark plays four games over the next season, so the Musketeers can use all the pitching they can get.

Moorpark broke a three-game losing streak Wednesday with an 11-1 win over visiting Royal of Simi Valley. The Musketeers (9-6, 4-3 in the Marmonte League) look to parlay the momentum today at 3:30 p.m. against visiting Agoura.

“We went through the first round of Marmonte competition with a 4-3 record, and when we lost to Simi Valley and Calabasas, we played poorly while both of them played very well,” Fullerton said. “That’s the Marmonte League. When that happens, it usually results in a loss.”

Fullerton says he’s been looking forward to today’s game.

“It’s the first game of the second round, and we need to go out and go after it,” Fullerton said. “Guerrero and Higginbotham are both ready to go.”

Spencer Dubois is Moorpark’s leader hitting. He’s batting .405 with seven RBIs and seven stolen bases. Higginbotham is batting .324 with one home run and seven RBIs, and Patrick Blandin is batting .294.