RICHARDSON, DEFENSE TOO MUCH FOR VALLEY : MOORPARK 29, VALLEY 23.

Byline: Jim Inghram Daily News Staff Writer

Carl Richardson set a school rushing record, but it was the Moorpark College defense that came through in the end to help the Raiders defeat Valley 29-23 at Griffin Stadium in Moorpark Saturday.

Richardson set the the single-game record for most yards in a game with 307 yards. The old record of 286 was set by Dana Griffin in 1986 against Santa Barbara.

The Moorpark defense prevented the Monarchs from scoring in the final seconds of the game when a Tom Racius pass on fourth down fell incomplete in the end zone.

The defense played much of the fourth quarter without middle linebackers Judd Granzow and Antwan Simpson, who suffered injuries. Simpson came back for the final series, but Granzow had to sit out. He'll be evaluated today.

``We need to give a big hand to our defense,'' Moorpark coach Jim Bittner said, ``and our offensive line.''

Richardson, a freshman from Rio Mesa High, was equally praiseworthy of the the offensive line.

``They were opening some wide holes,'' he said. ``They were blocking well.''

It was the second consecutive week Richardson had a stellar game. He tied a state record with six rushing touchdowns in a victory against L.A. Harbor last week. This week he scored four, including two in the second half.

``The reord feels great,'' Richardson said, ``but it feels better to beat Valley. We haven't beaten them in a long time.''

Moorpark (6-4, 4-1) scored first when Shawn Nakamura capped the first drive with a 39-yard field goal. Valley tied it eight minutes later when Fernando Arias made a 20-yarder.

Moorpark regained the lead early in the second quarter when Carl Richardson ran 87 yards for a score. The Raiders had been buried deep in the own territory after a 61-yard punt by Arias, but taking a handoff from quarterback Calvin Zinck and heading right, then cutting left, Richardson rescued them.

Valley answered again, tying the score at 10 when Jamian Barbour ran in from 2-yards out on a fourth-down play. The Moorpark defense had stopped the Monarchs on three consecutive plays before Barbour broke through.

Richardson added his second touchdown of the game with 3:17 left in the half from a yard out.