SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Simi Valley Surprises Royal, 21-16

Running back Chris Azzinaro rushed for two touchdowns and quarterback Tim Bennett threw for another score as Simi Valley High upset rival Royal, 21-16, in a Marmonte League finale before 7,500 Friday night at Moorpark College.

The victory ended a three-game losing skid and kept Simi Valley (6-3-1, 4-3) in the hunt for an at-large berth in the Division III playoffs. Royal (7-3, 5-2), the league’s second-place team, already had clinched a playoff berth.

Azzinaro rushed 14 times for 84 yards, scoring on runs of eight and 27 yards. Bennett completed nine of 21 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown.

Simi Valley led throughout the game. Azzinaro’s first touchdown and a 35-yard scoring reception by J.J. Washington (three catches, 74 yards) staked the Pioneers to a 14-0 lead late in the first half.

Christian Broussard had a 99-yard kickoff return after Simi Valley’s second touchdown to pull Royal within 14-7. The Pioneers, however, scored on their opening possession of the third quarter to extend their lead to 21-7.

Royal moved to within 21-14 at the start of the fourth quarter, and Azzinaro was tackled in the end zone for a safety to make it 21-16 with 6 minutes 10 seconds to play. But the Highlanders were unable to convert on their final possession, stalling at the Simi Valley 39 when Wes Lagatta’s pass to Chris Fernandez was knocked down near the goal line by Robert Gonzalez.

Lagatta completed 17 of 33 passes for 184 yards with one interception. Junior receiver Brendan Gibson caught 10 passes for 90 yards.