The Malibu High Sharks football team has a shot to make the playoffs with three games left in the regular season.
All the 1-6 squad has to do is just win, win, win or claim victories in two of the three contests. Sharks head coach Terry Shorten said winning a majority of the contests against Frontier League opponents will qualify Malibu for the playoffs
“We have seen some tough teams this season, but now it is time to get into league, and we are now ready to compete,” he said.
Malibu’s Frontier League opposition is Santa Clara, Fillmore and Carpinteria. The two teams with the best league records will make the postseason.
Malibu’s first league game of the season is this Friday in Oxnard against the Santa Clara Saints. The Sharks enter the contest having lost their last four games, while the 1-4 Saints’ only win this season was due to an opponent’s forfeit.
Shorten said playing the Saints should be an interesting challenge for Malibu.
“We are looking forward to it,” he said.
Malibu’s second-year head coach said the Sharks have looked toward Frontier League play all season. Shorten said the Sharks’ non-league schedule, which includes games against tough opponents, was put together in order to prepare Malibu for the season’s final three-game stretch and a chance to make the playoffs.
“We had an extremely tough non-conference schedule,” the head Shark said. “Now that we have worked our way through, we are ready to compete for a league championship.”
Malibu’s previous games this year haven’t been a stroll down the gridiron. Before last week’s bye week, the Sharks had only garnered a lone victory — a 41-8 win over Beverly Hills High on Sept. 9. Malibu has lost to Windward, Campbell Hall, Big Bear, Hueneme, St. Genevieve and St. Monica this season.
The injury bug also bit the football squad and has forced some players off the gridiron, such as backup quarterback Chase Kapler, who is done for the season due to a back injury.
Quarterback Braxton Pierce has also been injured. The senior suffered a hip injury, but Shorten said the signal-caller should be under center on Friday.
Shorten said despite the bumps and bruises the Sharks have endured, they have stayed passionate.
“Even though we are not winning games, we still have our enthusiasm for the game,” he said. “The kids are not letting the record get them down. They are still competing and having fun.”
Shorten said heading into the league games, Malibu’s players and coaches are attempting to establish their identity. The coach said dealing with injuries has made that a challenge throughout the season.
“That depends on who is available due to injuries week-to-week,” the head Shark said. “We have had to juggle the lineup this season, which creates a challenge each week for our coaching staff. Do we need to be a running team this week? Do we need to be a throwing team this week?”
There have also been some highlights for Malibu this year. Senior running back Keaton Brewster has run the ball well for the team, while the offensive linemen in front of him have made their mark in the trenches.
Wide receiver and defensive back Louie Thrall has played well on defense and offense. The sophomore has four interceptions this season. Senior linebacker Trevor Simonian has played well on defense and a variety of positions on offense.
Freshman fullback and linebacker Daniel Rafeedie has shown his skills on offense and defense. He is one of the Sharks’ leading tacklers.
Malibu’s coach said the Sharks will not quit playing hard and said the team is resilient. If Malibu lines up three Ws in a row to close the year, the squad will make the playoffs and be Frontier League champions.
“We have to take it one game at a time,” Shorten said. “Santa Clara is first. We are pretty optimistic that we can make a run and win the league championship.”