THROUGH THE AIR—Wideout Christian Hutchins and the Newbury Park air attack must fire on all cylinders against MHS. The Panthers are banged up with nicks and bruises, the flu and colds, aches and pains.

But they might as well be humming James Brown’s “I Feel Good.”

The Newbury Park High football team has its share of ailments, but the players are upbeat heading into the season’s biggest Marmonte League game to date.

The Panthers play host to Moorpark on Friday at 7 p.m.

“Mentally, we’re all feeling good,” said Tommy Diefenthaler, a center for NPHS. “We know we can win.”

These 4-0 teams feature playmakers and ball hawks, and are balanced offensively and defensively. The outcome could foreshadow who will win a Marmonte title, although fellow league power Westlake will have a say in the matter.

“It’s a pivotal game in the standings at this point in the league race,” Moorpark head coach Tim Lins said.

Cameron Roberson, Newbury Park’s standout senior running back, pointed out an interesting fact: NHPS hasn’t had a turnover in its last three games.

Quarterback Jake Geringer threw an interception and Roberson lost a fumble in the opener against Camarillo.

Geringer has thrown nine touchdowns since, and Roberson has 494 rushing yards and five scores.

“We can’t make any mistakes against Moorpark,” Roberson said. “I know that we will be ready to play and we’ll be on our ‘A’ game. I’m excited. I’m ready to play.”

Moorpark place kicker Stephen Picchini understands that a close game could come down to his right leg.

He kicked the eventual gamewinning extra point in overtime against Eastlake on Sept. 4.

“Every point matters,” said Picchini, who has drilled all his extra points and 3-of-4 field goals.

“I’m going to go out there and make every point I can. That’s all I can do. I don’t really think about the pressure.”

Newbury Park coach Gary Fabricius understands the magnitude of the game, but he put it in proper perspective.

“It’s not do-or-die,” he said, “but it is a big game.”

“If we play well and lose, we’ll be happy. If we play bad and win, we’ll take that, too,” Fabricius said with a laugh.

Both squads are especially potent on offense.

Besides Geringer and Roberson, a Notre Dame commit, the Panthers feature offensive weapons Phillip Muscarella, Dakota Dunlea, Christian Hutchins, Alex Lopez and Sean Garry.

Running back Austin Edmonson and quarterbacks Brody Rohach and Brian Blechen pace Moorpark.

Newbury Park will try to offset Moorpark’s size and strength on the offensive line with an aggressive, opportunistic defense that likes to take chances.

“We have to stop the run,” said NPHS senior defensive end Fred Grady. “We have to play on their side of the ball.”

Drake Exstrom, a senior middle linebacker who leads Newbury Park with three sacks and a pick, eagerly awaits the challenge.

“I’m looking forward to see how we compare with them,” he said. “I think we can keep up.”

Kickoff is fast approaching.

“These are two good teams with great athletes and great enthusiasm,” Diefenthaler said. “I think it will be a great game that will come down to the end. Look for our defense to come up big.”

Outlook

This is the biggest local high school football gamto date, a showdown pitting a pair of top-rated teams. With a plethora of playmakers on each sideline, the battle in the trenches will be vital. NPHS can match Moorpark’s athleticism. But can they handle the Musketeers’ muscle?