Royal has elevated acting head football coach Cody MacArthur to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
“He is prepared to lead our student-athletes, and we are confident in his ability to guide
the team moving forward,” school principal Reina Zapata wrote in a letter to parents.
MacArthur, previously the junior varsity head coach, stepped forward to lead the Highlanders when head coach Adam Brubaker was fired the morning of the season opener on Aug. 21.
The school initially announced MacArthur’s appointment as temporary, while it searched for an interim coach and investigated the aftermath of the Aug. 19 practice incident, when a video of Brubaker kicking a ball that struck a player went viral.
“You lose the head of your ship, you’re going to be in a world of hurt for a little bit,” MacArthur said. “It was not easy. … Everything has felt a little off. But the kids have been very versatile about it.”
After wins against Monroe, Carpinteria and Contreras to open the season, MacArthur will continue to lead the team, before a full search for Brubaker’s permanent successor is conducted.
“It’s all very fresh,” said MacArthur, whose son Leighton is the JV quarterback. “I’m an alum. My wife is alum. I have a very deep connection to Royal. I love these guys. It’s why I’ve volunteered to help.”
Royal has struggled to find consistency in the program since Gene Uebelhardt ended his 21-year tenure as the head coach in 2008.
It has had five head coaches — Matthew Lewis, Aaron Hardy, Christian Dearborn, Mike Puopolo and Brubaker — in the past 12 years.
Royal (3-0) has had a bye week to regroup ahead of this Friday’s visit from Del Sol, probably its toughest test so far this season.
“Myself and the other coaches are all on the same page,” MacArthur said. “There are going to be changes because none of us are Brubaker. This is his system. We’re going to try to get them going the right direction.”
Sticking with Brubaker’s Wing-T offense, Royal has outscored opponents 124-16, despite missing senior star running back Landen Murray because of an injury.
Senior Landon Shaffer has rushed for 339 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries and senior Josh Salazar has run for 211 yards and six TDs on 14 carries.
Tightening up
Calabasas’ first 4-0 start in nine years has been powered by an improvement on the defensive side of the ball.
The Coyotes have allowed 63 points through four games, 36 less than they at this point of last season.
“Guys have played really well,” said Calabasas coach Cary Harris. “We’ve made key stops. There’s been a major improvement defensively, which has really helped us.”
Defensive lineman Cameron Breedenlove, linebacker Obi Ofomata, linebacker Nate Castaneda, linebacker Lee Triessl and safety Aaron Perry have been among the standouts, according to Harris.
Reunion visit
Agoura’s trip to Northridge-Heritage Christian is a Cal Lutheran University reunion.
Agoura head coach Dustin Croick coached quarterbacks and receivers from 2014-15 under head coach Ben McEnroe, the former Thousand Oaks High head coach who now is coaching at the Northridge school.
“He is one of my mentors,” Croick said of McEnroe. “When he went there, it was like, ‘Ah, we have got to play.’ I have never beat him, so I am hoping we get it, but I don’t know what to expect.”
Heritage Christian is 3-1 in McEnroe’s second season, including a 35-0 win over Carpinteria and a 49-14 loss to Hart.
“Their quarterback is really good, and he has got athletes,” Croick said. “It’s not going to be, by any means, an easy game for us.”
Agoura will be boosted by the return from injury of defensive end Colton Powell and defensive back Gavin Pulisic.
Headed north
Moorpark travels to south Sacramento to visit Elk Grove this Friday.
Elk Grove is the alma mater of head coach Christian Dearborn’s brother-in-law, Jason Eres. The Musketeers plan to hold a practice at nearby Laguna Creek High, where Eres coaches, and tour Sacramento State.
“It’ll be a good experience for the guys,” Dearborn said.
Elk Grove runs a Wing-T offense.
“It’s always so interesting playing a Northern California school,” Dearborn said. “The game is so different. You definitely see the De La Salle influence up north.”
Moorpark star Davis Benson, who has missed the Musketeers last two games with an injury, is not expected to return this week, according to Dearborn.
Joe Curley covers football for The Star. He can be reached at joe.curley@vcstar.com. For more coverage, follow @vcspreps on Twitter/X, Instagram/Threads, Facebook, Bluesky and TikTok.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Royal elevates MacArthur to interim head coach after 3-0 start
