AGOURA PASSES ITS WAY INTO A PLAYOFF SPOT CHARGERS OVERCOME EARLY PROBLEMS TO BEAT ROYAL AGOURA 41, ROYAL 14.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

AGOURA HILLS - Agoura wasn't getting into the playoffs without first passing a test. The Chargers allowed a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, fumbled their first offensive play and faced a constant drizzle to hinder their vaunted passing attack.

Agoura overcame all the obstacles to clinch a playoff berth with a 41-14 victory over visiting Royal of Simi Valley on Friday night.

Combined with losses by Thousand Oaks and Calabasas, the victory by Agoura (6-3, 4-2) guaranteed no worse than a third-place finish and playoff spot in the Marmonte League.

``The good thing is, we didn't get down on ourselves,'' Agoura quarterback Dustin Croick said. ``You can never let one play get you down. We knew that CIF (playoffs) was on the line.''

Croick appeared to be in for a long night when he cocked his arm back to pass and lost grip of the ball on Agoura's first offensive play. But he rebounded to complete 12 of 20 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns despite the weather.

``We met the challenge with the rain tonight and were able to throw, which was a big deal,'' Croick said. ``I never thought we'd be able to throw the way we did under these conditions.''

Royal quarterback Kyle Uebelhardt was not as lucky. He had an awful time against the rain, completing just 7 of 20 passes for 71 yards.

Unable to pass, the Highlanders were in trouble. They are the worst area team in the Southern Section at rushing, averaging just 54.4 yards a game.

However, Royal (3-6, 2-4) finally found the answer to its running woes. Just add water.

Jason Runnfeldt was able to slip his way through the line on many occasions. He got more yards rushing on his first carry than Royal was averaging, bursting through untouched and up the right sideline for an 80-yard touchdown.

Runnfeldt finished with a career-high 218 yards on 20 carries. Previously, the Highlanders had 435 rushing yards in eight games.

``Everybody can run on us this year,'' Agoura coach Charlie Wegher said. ``We've got to get better at that going into the playoffs. He's quick. I was really impressed with him.''

Agoura receivers Bryan Huston and Braden Lepisto each went over 100 yards receiving. Huston caught five passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Lepisto had five receptions for 103 yards and two scores.

The Chargers struck back after allowing the opening score, Lepisto catching a 24-yard touchdown pass from Croick. Huston and Lepisto caught touchdowns within 1:15 of each other in the fourth quarter to put the game away, capitalizing on a fumble recovered by Jeff Gordon at the Royal 26.

``This was my last home game as a senior,'' Croick said. ``The crowd came even with the rain. The playoffs were on the line. That's why you play the sport.''