Game info/stats by Harry Joe, photos from Tim Lunney & video highlights by David Guerrero
Football:
In each of the last three seasons, Rio Hondo Prep has been moved up two CIF-SS divisions.
Two years ago, the Kares edged Santa Monica (29-27) in the D-9 title game at SMHS.
Last season, RHP crushed Warren (43-16) in the D-7 final at Arcadia High School.
In 2025, the Kares traveled 60 miles to Thousand Oaks to battle a Lancers’ program with 13-times the enrollment than that of Rio Hondo Prep.
TOHS got out to a 21-8 lead midway through the second quarter in the CIF-SS Division 5 opener for both programs.
However, the Kares would score 35 unanswered points, and they cruised to a 50-34 victory.
RHP’s extended its current postseason win streak to nine games.
The Lancers and Kares offered up completely different offensive approaches.
TOHS had a 357-38 advantage through the air, and RHP rushed for 341 yards, as compared to 52 for their opponent.
An argument would not be difficult to make that Noah Penunuri is the most consequential football player in Rio Hondo Prep history.
On Friday, the Kares senior rushed for 262 yards on 26 carries.
That included TD runs of 35, 12 and 59 yards.
Penunuri also had a free pass into the end zone late in the game for a potential fourth TD, but he took a knee at the 1-yard line to eat up more game clock.
Nathaniel Shine gained 65 yards on 13 carries.
Christian Lee and Yanick Diaz both had 1-yard TD runs.
Diaz completed 2-of-4 for 38 yards.
Diaz connected with Elias Har on a 26-yard TD at 3:42 of the first quarter.
Penunuri’s 2-point run gave RHP an 8-7 lead.
Rainn Pollock had a 12-yard reception in the win.
Perhaps the most unexpected and consequential play came with 1:08 remaining in the half.
Ethan Lo broke up a Thousand Oaks pass, and 6-foot-1, 270-pound Elijah Gavia intercepted the ball and returned it 26 yards for a pick-six.
It gave RHP a 22-21 lead, and they never trailed again.
Jackson Taylor had a big game for the Lancers.
Taylor completed 22-of-30 for 357 yards.
That included TD passes of 14, 7 and 87 yards.
Taylor also scored on a 2-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter.
Jordan Johnson led the TOHS ground game with 44 yards on 10 carries, including a 7-yard TD run just 4:08 into the game.
He also caught a 7-yard TD pass.
Kaden Glover caught five passes for 123 yards.
Glover and Taylor hooked up on an 87-yard TD pass with 2:31 to play.
Hayden Vercher totaled 77 receiving yards on four catches.
Christian Lee had a game-high 10 tackles for RHP.
Troy Seto, Calogero Chico and Penunuri had four tackles apiece.
Tyler Dang and Lo registered three tackles each in Friday’s win.
Up next: The Kares will host Troy on Friday at 7.
The Warriors (10-1) secured a 49-27 victory over their visitors from Orange High School.
To view a large photo gallery by Tim Lunney, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook
Box Score:
RHP: 8-14-14-14-(50)
TO: 14-7-0-13-(34)
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Scoring:
T: Jordan Johnson 7 run (Landon Schwanauer kick)
R: Elias Har 26 pass from Yanick Diaz (Noah Penunuri run)
T: Brady Beck 14 pass from Jackson Taylor (Landon Schwanauer kick)
T: Jordan Johnson 7 pass from Jackson Taylor (Landon Schwanauer kick)
R: Noah Penunuri 35 run (Easton Jara kick)
R: Elijah Gavia 26 interception return (Easton Jara kick)
R: Christian Lee 1 run (Easton Jara kick)
R: Noah Penunuri 12 run (Easton Jara kick)
R: Noah Penunuri 59 run (Easton Jara kick)
T: Jackson Taylor 2 run (pass failed)
R: Yanick Diaz 1 run (Easton Jara kick)
T: Kaden Glover 87 pass from Jackson Taylor (Landon Schwanauer kick)
Records: Rio Hondo Prep (11-0); Thousand Oaks (8-3)
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