Chris Gibson scored on runs of 10, 7 and 5 yards in the first half to help lead Nordhoff High to a 24-21 victory over host Oak Park in a Tri-Valley League game on Friday night.

Nordhoff jumped out to a 21-0 lead with 11:54 remaining in the second quarter on the strength of Gibson's touchdowns, two key turnovers by Oak Park and some uncommon penalties.

The first touchdown possession was aided by a pass-interference penalty on a third-and-nine play that extended Nordhoff's scoring drive that covered 76 yards in 10 plays. Gibson scored on a 10-yard draw through the middle of the Oak Park defense. Following Dave Brown's extra point, Nordhoff led 7-0.

On its next possession Oak Park fumbled on its second play from scrimmage and Alex Luna recovered for Nordhoff at the Oak Park 45-yard line.

Nordhoff scored in just five plays, capped by Gibson's second touchdown, a 7-yard off-tackle play. After Brown's point-after, Nordhoff led 14-0.

After the ensuing kickoff, Oak Park's Kyle Andrus was intercepted at midfield by Tyler Wadsworth of Nordhoff.

Gibson then scored his third touchdown, a 5-yard run, and after Brown's third extra point, Nordhoff led 21-0 early in the second quarter.

"We didn't play very well early on, and that will hurt anybody when you play a tough, physical, well-coached team like Nordhoff," said Oak Park coach Dick Billingsley.

Oak Park was down, but got back into the game when backup tailback Sean Westgate scored on a 26-yard draw. Brett Zeolla kicked the extra point to make the score 21-7 with 6:51 remaining in the half.

Oak Park had two more possessions before intermission, but one drive ended when Eric Banks intercepted for Nordhoff on its 22. And another Oak Park drive that started at midfield bogged down at the end of the half.

"I believe that was the turning point of the game," said Billingsley. "If we could have cut the lead to just seven points before the half, we were back in it."

Oak Park did get back in the game quickly in the third quarter when Zeolla scored on an 81-yard reverse, cutting Nordhoff's lead to 21-14.

"We ran what we call a tackle trap reverse' and Brett (Zeolla) got past their contain and took it the rest of the way," said Billingsley.

Nordhoff managed to get great field position later in the quarter, which led to a 47-yard field goal by Brown with 2:07 reamining in the quarter.

"Those were some big points by Dave," said Nordhoff coach Cliff Farrar. "But he has come through a lot for us this year. I believe he leads the state with 11 made field goals this year and none were bigger than that one."

Oak Park got to within three points when Zeolla caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Andrus with 3:20 remaining, making the score 24-21. But that was as close as Oak Park would get.

"We take our hats off to Nordhoff, they have a great program with a lot of class they came to play and deserve to win," Billingsley said.

Next up for Nordhoff is a home game against Oaks Christian.

"We aren't going to think about that one tonight, I just want to enjoy this big win against a great Oak Park team," Farrar said.

Oak Park hosts Santa Paula next week in its homecoming game.

Nordhoff 24, Oak Park 21

Tri-Valley League

Nordhoff 14 7 3 0—24

Oak Park 0 7 7 7—21

First quarter

Nord — Gibson 10 run (Brown kick), 6:16.

Nord — Gibson 7 run (Brown kick), 3:26.

Second quarter

Nord — Gibson 5 run (Brown kick), 11:54.

OP — Westgate 26 run (Zeolla kick), 6:51.

Third quarter

OP — Zeolla 81 run (Zeolla kick), 10:58

Nord — Brown 47 FG 2:07.

Fourth quarter

OP — Zeolla 34 pass from Andrus, 3:20.

Teams Stats: Nord OP

First downs 14 11

Rushes-yards 45-159 29-239

Passing yards 49 68

Comp-Att-Int 5-14-1 4-1

Sacks-yards lost 2-13 0-0

Punts-avg. 5-39.6 2-29.0

Fumbles-lost 0-0 2-2

Penalties-yards 6-40 8-85

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Nordhoff: Kaiser 21-76, Chris Gibson 12-74, Chad Gibson 3-10, Mireles 3-1, Graham 6-(—2). Oak Park: Zeolla 1-81, Andrus 8-60, Westgate 11-46, Henningsen 4-32, Dacar 3-11, Shorten 2-9.

PASSING — Nordhoff: Graham 5-13-1-49, Chris Gibson 0-1-0-0. Oak Park: Andrus 4-1-68.

RECEIVING — Nordhoff: Mireles 3-27, Kaiser 1-14, Wadsworth 1-8. Oak Park: Zeolla 2-56, Westgate 2-12.

MISSED FIELD GOALS — None.

TEAM RECORDS — Nordhoff 3-0, 5-2-1; Oak Park 2-1, 5-3.