SPARK PLUG—Listed at 5-foot-5 and 140 pounds, Thousand Oaks High junior Michael Feistel provides a solid change of pace as a backup running back and special teams ace. The Lancers keep gaining momentum—and confidence.

On Friday night, they will face their toughest foe yet.

Thousand Oaks High’s football team has won four of five games entering the matchup at undefeated Marmonte League heavyweight Moorpark.

Nothing will be easy, but TOHS head coach Mike Leibin is happy his squad is healthy.

Running back Rickey Minyard, defensive end/tight end Daniel Miller and strong safety/running back Cameron Schneider are among the notable Lancers who have recovered from early-season injuries.

“We’ve got to be consistent and create opportunities for ourselves and take advantage of any opportunities we get,” Leibin said. “They’re a heck of a football team. We’re starting to become one.”

Leibin said his younger varsity players have matured.

The biggest key for Thousand Oaks on Friday may be winning the turnover battle.

TOHS lost four fumbles while Moorpark didn’t turn the ball over in the Musketeers’ 20-17 win last season.

“Turnovers, in a big game like this, are always so crucial,” Leibin said.

Thousand Oaks is led by Mr. Versatile, junior quarterback Avondre Bollar.

“Avondre has really stepped up in big-time situations,” said Zack Hoffmann, a senior kicker.

Bollar has 10 touchdown passes and one interception in Thousand Oaks’ last three games, all victories. The junior has 1,245 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions through the air. He also has 420 yards and eight scores on the ground.

The Mullaney brothers, wideouts Richard and Bobby, are threats catching the ball.

Junior Richard Mullaney nabbed 14 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns in the Lancers’ 42-13 win against Calabasas last weekend. He also added a 40-yard punt return for a score.

Minyard has also taken the team’s rushing lead despite missing a handful of games. The running back has 480 rushing yards in parts of five games.

Senior right tackle Lucas Clifford said the offensive line must prepare for Moorpark’s vaunted defense.

“Their defensive ends are fast and their defensive tackles are big,” Clifford said. “But I like challenges. They’re definitely a good football team, but they’re not unbeatable.”

Senior Steven Penfield plays opposite Clifford at left tackle.

“He’s granite—he’s always there for us,” Clifford said of Penfield.

The right tackle said junior left guard Marc Cruz reminds him of a faster version of himself.

Junior right guard Trevor Gerety, senior center Jordan Hammond and tight end Garrett Malone also contribute along the offensive line.

Travis Key, Stephen Adlman, Alex Singleton and Malone have played well defensively. Miller has nine sacks this season. Nick Dempster and Richard Mullaney each have three interceptions.

Leibin hopes to counteract Moorpark’s size advantage on both lines with smart, aggressive play.

“We have to be disciplined,” he said. “We have to control guys on defense, execute on blocking and rely on technique.”

The players are eager for this challenge.

“This is our opportunity to show what we’re about,” Hoffmann said. “This is our true test.”

Players to Watch
Thousand Oaks	Moorpark
LT Steven Penfield	DE Quen Kantaris
LG Marc Cruz	DT Chris Wheatley
C Jordan Hammond	LB Marc Palacios
RG Trevor Gerety	DT Trevor LeGore
RT Lucas Clifford	DE Lucas Mandic

Outlook
Moorpark’s offensive and defensive lines are
among the most physically dominating units in
Ventura County. How the Lancers handle the
Musketeers’ brute strength will play a huge factor
in the outcome of this matchup. If Thousand Oaks
turns the ball over, Moorpark will make them pay.