Pacifica wins CIF State Division 2-A title for Oxnard

NORWALK, Calif. — Pacifica (Oxnard) receiver and defensive back Isaiah Moon came off the sideline Saturday where his father and Tritons' head coach Mike Moon was waiting.

This was clearly a different father-son exchange than at any other time for the 5-foot-9, 175-pound senior. 

For one, it was after the younger moon's first offensive touchdown of the year, a 44-yard catch and spinning run of a RJ Maria pass. Second, it was at Cerritos College, a venue Pacifica had never played — 70 miles South of town.

And third, best of all, it was in a CIF State Division 2-A championship game, which Pacifica won with a convincing and thorough 34-6 victory over three-time consecutive state champion McClymonds (Oakland). Pacifica made history by  becoming the first Ventura public school to win a state football championship. All of it led to the resounding reaction.

"He just gave me a big fat hug and said he loved me," Isaiah Moon said.


Maria threw for 185 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers: Moon, Kyrie Wilson (14 yards), Nohl Williams (4) and Savonne Farmer (22).

Fresno State-bound running back Malik Sherrod rushed 29 times for 124 yards against a defense that had allowed just 63 points all season. And Wilson, an Arizona State commit with coach Herm Edwards in attendance, had two of the team's four interceptions. Linebackers Brad Bichard (14 tackles) and Caleb McCullough (10 tackles) had three sacks each. Kicker Scooter Carranza drilled field goals of 42 and 32 yards and made four straight extra points.

Isaiah Moon said the team's thorough performance was motivated by one thing.

"This was for Oxnard," he said. "This is where we grew up our whole lives. Our dream was to come here and show out for the city."

McClymonds did the same for Oakland. They just had an off day, said coach Michael Peters. Pacifica, which outscored opponents 784-215, probably had a lot to do with it.

A 30-yard fumble return for touchdown by Arrion Hughes with 4:41 left in the game was Mack's only score. The got big defensive games from Emmanuel Perry (14 tackles), Semaj Sims (10 tackles, interception) and James Willoughby (10 tackles). Running back Montrell Smith rushed 17 times for 65 yards. The Warriors were trying to become the first public school to win four straight state titles.

"We come down here a school of (360) and we put West Oakland on the map, it's a great accomplishment," said Peters, the father of Ravens' cornerback Marcus Peters. "We were on the other end of the stick last year, so sometimes it's just the way it goes. Can't win them all. For a group of 28 deep, I think we did well just to make it here.

"We just needed to play better. My hat's off to (Pacifica)."

Isaiah Moon said there was some chatter early in the game and the Tritons wanted to put an end to it.

"We wanted to let them know, you could be the biggest team in the state and we'll take you on," Moon said. "This is the best way to end a season. Win a state championship."