JC FOOTBALL: RETURN OF THE RAIDER HEALTHY MERRILL LEADS MOORPARK.

Byline: SEAN CEGLINSKY Staff Writer

Cameron Merrill was excused Thursday from football practice at Moorpark College to attend to personal business, leading teammate Conrad Meadows to quip: ``He must have left so he could go over to the local high school and watch one of his children play.''

The sophomore quarterback is used to the digs that come with being the elder statesmen on the team, 24 years old and nearly six years removed from Newbury Park High.

His journey to Moorpark has been filled with ups and downs, on and off the field, experiences few teammates could even begin to understand.

He has persevered to emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in California and the unquestioned leader in Raiders' revival this season heading into today's top-of-the standings showdown at Bakersfield (6-1, 4-0) in the Western State Conference's Northern Division.

``I've learned to take things in stride, because life can be funny sometimes,'' said Merrill, who ranks seventh in the state in passing, completing more than 60percent of his throws for 1,588 yards and 17touchdowns for Moorpark (7-0, 4-0).

Injuries troubled him early in his career. He played his senior year at Newbury Park, in 1999, with a separated shoulder, still completing more than 50 percent of his passes for 2,225 yards and 27touchdowns as the Panthers reached the Southern Section Div. IV semifinals.

He had surgery following the season and again in summer 2000, enrolled at Moorpark in 2001, then suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee. He wasn't sure he'd play again and spent the next few years figuring out what he wanted to do. His deliberations led him back to football.

``Once you leave the game, you never think you're going to come back,'' Merrill said. ``I've learned a lot over the years, but the one thing that never went away was the desire to compete.''

Raiders' receivers coach Barry Toli approached Merrill last season, and the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder split time at quarterback with Cody Holland. He completed 77 of 163 passes for 951 yards and 10 touchdowns.

``Cameron is a determined individual,'' Moorpark coach Jim Bittner said. ``Nothing he does surprises me.''

Merrill assumed the starting role this season, and the Raiders, ranked No. 7 in the nation by J.C. Grid-Wire, are poised for a postseason run.

``Cam is knowledgeable and is picking apart defenses this year,'' sophomore receiver Tony Washington said. ``He sees things the young guys don't and keeps everyone involved. He's our leader.''

Merrill won't play for a Division I college -- his eligibility has expired -- but Division II schools are interested.

``I was a little out of shape and slow when I first came back, but I'm in the groove now,'' Merrill said. ``The game has slowed down for me. I'm having fun again.''

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Quarterback Cameron Merrill has helped Moorpark College get off to the best start in the history of the football program.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News

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