Cox Provides Royal Punch

Quarterback James Cox ran for three touchdowns and threw for two others, leading Royal High over host Newbury Park, 47-7, in a Marmonte League game on Friday night.

The Highlanders (5-2, 2-1 in league play), rebounding from a 28-20 loss at Thousand Oaks last week to stay alive in the Division IV playoff race, scored on their first possession when Cox threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Brian Moak to cap a four-play, 66-yard drive.

Cox’s 10-yard scoring run midway through the first quarter gave Royal a 13-7 lead. Greg Morris, who led all rushers with 187 yards in nine carries, bolted for a 66-yard touchdown for a 20-7 lead at the end of the quarter.

Cox connected with Ryan Wiesenhan on a 41-yard scoring pass play and added a 10-yard scoring run in the second quarter to give Royal a 34-7 halftime lead.

Cox, who had a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards. He completed passes to eight receivers.

Newbury Park (2-5, 1-2) scored on its first possession when Marcus Crawford ran in from six yards to tie the score, 7-7. Crawford finished with 64 yards in 16 carries.

Royal forced three turnovers and had 10 sacks, including six by Dave Lemos. The Highlanders out-gained the Panthers, 461 yards to 204.