East All-Star football notebook: It was a storybook season for Story, Newbury Park

Nolan Story says he favors the defensive side of the ball as a linebacker. No wonder he applied the same philosophy as the leading rusher for the Newbury Park High football team this fall.

"It's no fun being hit first," Story says. "I like to be the one who hits first. I always want to stay aggressive."

Story played a key role in a remarkable turnabout season for Newbury Park. From 3-6 in 2021, the Panthers finished 9-3 this season, qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2017, and won their first postseason game since 2014.

Newbury Park was buoyed by the presence of first-year coach Joe Smigiel and spectacular freshman quarterback Brady Smigiel. But a stalwart senior class proved instrumental.

Nolan lent offensive balance with 709 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while also notching 87 tackles, including 40 solos. He's grateful for a memorable closing run.

"I can't tell you how much it means to me to be a part of this team as a senior," said Story. "We had struggled for a couple years, and this season made everything worthwhile. It was great to have Coach Smigiel come in and change the culture. It was great to play for a defensive coach like coach (Ron) Wilford. It was so much fun to play with a special quarterback like Brady.

"We grew so close together as a team. It was so much fun to play our games and just come to practice every day."

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Story will have one more chance to savor his senior high school season, albeit with a different set of teammates. He's a member of the East squad that will participate in the Ventura County All-Star Football Game on Saturday. Kickoff is 1 p.m. at Ventura College.

"We're going out to have fun, but we also want to win," said Story. "Guys I've played against, I get a chance to play with. It's been a great experience."

Story, at 6-foot and 200 pounds, doesn't yet know where he will play next fall, but he's proud to leave a legacy at Newbury Park.

"It was just an unreal atmosphere to be a part of every day," he said. "I cherish my time there. I was able to grow as a player. I learned how to fight through adversity. Those are good lessons I will always have."

ALMOST PERFECT

While Will Halub was playing for the Thousand Oaks freshman team in 2019, the varsity squad was in the midst of its second consecutive 0-10 season. The losing streak had reached 25 games in a row,

Halub was undaunted in weighing his next step.

"I never thought about leaving," he said. "I was never going to another school. As players, we talked about how we were going to turn everything around by the time we were seniors."

Mission accomplished.

Halub, as a wide receiver/defensive back, was a key cog on a Thousand Oaks team last fall that won the Canyon League championship — its first league title since 2001 — and became the first Lancers team to finish 10-0 in the regular season.

"It was very exciting," said Halub. "We bonded together. We became a family. We enjoyed all our time together. As a team, we all knew our roles and we trusted each other."

The Lancers won a league championship, but Halub said a 55-26 nonleague victory over Del Norte in the regular-season finale is a game that sticks out.

"It was our last home game and it was pretty emotional," he said. "It became a special moment for a team as close as we were."

Halub racked up 23 pass receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns on offense and 57 tackles and three interceptions on defense. The main goal in Saturday's All-Star game is a victory.

"Once you get out there, the competitive juices flow and you want to win," he said. "I'm looking forward to it."

CARRYING THE LOAD

Kadyn Parr of Oak Park is the lone quarterback on the East roster. The Eagles senior embraces the challenge.

"I know I'll need to play well for us to win, but I look forward to the opportunity," he said. "I've got a good group of teammates, most of whom I've known for a long time since I started in Newbury Park. It should be fun."

Parr, after transferring from Simi Valley, became a starter for the first time this fall. Both Parr and Oak Park reaped the benefits.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder completed 185 of 303 pass attempts for 2,150 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 571 yards and six scores.

"It felt so good to be a part of this team and have a chance to contribute," said Parr. "Everyone made it comfortable for me. I played for great coaches and with great teammates. We were able to compete hard every game."

Oak Park finished 7-5 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 6 playoffs before losing to eventual champion San Jacinto.

"We lost to very good team, but it doesn't take away from being able to compete in the playoffs," said Parr. "It's a great atmosphere."

STARS WILL SHINE

With Calabasas head coach Cary Harris and his staff guiding the East, the Coyotes will have ample representation, including Kaylon Miller, Jackson Neff, Ryan Lucero, Tysen Manuel, Jerry McGee and Luke Peffer. Fillmore will have five players: Jared Uridel, Nathan Delgadillo, Tory Cabral, Sergio Martinez and Ivan Becerra.

Other key players scheduled to participate include Caleb Alvary, Jess Norton and Robert Dixon of Simi Valley; Dane Wilson of Thousand Oaks; Beau Purvis of Newbury Park; and Cesar Saso and Gabriel Rodriguez of Moorpark.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: East All-Star football notebook: It was a storybook season for Story