Iacenda on Defensive and Hart Wins, 31-17

THOUSAND OAKS — Ted Iacenda’s three-year career at Hart High has been chronicled by his touchdowns, 66 in all, including one in a 31-17 nonleague victory Friday night over Thousand Oaks.

But his most significant play in this game came in a rare role as a defensive tackle. Iacenda sacked Lancer quarterback Scott McEwan at midfield for a 15-yard loss on third down to help Hart protect a 24-17 lead.

“I had to do something positive for the team,” said Iacenda, who rushed for 127 yards in 18 carries but whose two fumbles set up 10 Lancer points.

An Iacenda fumble early in the third quarter led to a three-yard scoring run by Brandon Jackson that tied the score, 17-17.

Jackson, a burly senior, rambled for 158 yards in 18 carries before leaving with a leg injury midway through the fourth quarter.

Jackson’s scoring run was followed immediately by an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by J.B. Nelson and Hart (2-1) again had a one-touchdown lead.

Nelson caught the kick on one hop near the sideline, bolted to the middle of the field and followed blockers until he sprung free.

“It’s not hard when everyone is blocking that well,” he said. “The back wedge got together and there was a hole big enough to drive a truck through.”

Nelson scored again with 2 minutes 35 seconds to play on a 12-yard pass from Steve McKeon.

Thousand Oaks Coach Mike Kelly was pleased that the Lancers kept up with Hart most of the way.

“I was very proud of the way [we] played,” he said. “But that kickoff return hurt.”

McEwan completed 14 of 29 for 150 yards, hitting 11 of 16 in the second half.

Despite missing two starting defensive backs due to injury, Thousand Oaks (1-1) held McKeon to 11 of 20 passing for 142 yards.

Iacenda’s first fumble set up a 25-yard field goal by Jack Wilson to open the scoring, but Hart scored on McKeon’s 38-yard pass play to Cody Joyce and a 45-yard field goal by Kevin McLaughlin.

Jackson’s 76-yard run set up a one-yard scoring run by Jud Southwell that made it 10-10.

Iacenda scored from seven yards with four minutes to play in the first half to give Hart a 17-10 lead.