Czernek Passes His Way Into Record Books

NEWBURY PARK — Chris Czernek passed for a state-record 4,360 yards and Southern Section-record 45 touchdowns last season, but much of the credit went to his talented supporting cast.

This season, Czernek proved it was no fluke. With mostly new receivers, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior passed for 4,039 yards and 30 touchdowns in leading Newbury Park High to a 9-3 record.

Czernek, The Times’ Ventura County offensive player of the year, became the first quarterback in the nation to pass for more than 4,000 yards in two seasons.

Czernek’s career numbers rank near the top nationally as well. In three seasons, he completed 630 of 1,128 passes for 9,840 yards and 80 touchdowns, with 43 interceptions.

“Chris did what a quarterback is supposed to do,” Newbury Park Coach George Hurley said. “He dropped back, found a receiver and got him the ball.”

That quality would seem to assure Czernek a college career, but his size has kept major-college recruiters away. He has received serious attention only from small colleges.

“I only need a chance,” Czernek said. “I can play college football. I’ll produce. Somebody just needs to believe in me.”

Czernek ended his Panther career with his finest performance in a 43-40 loss to Muir in a second-round playoff game. He passed for a Ventura County-record 462 yards and threw five touchdown passes, including three in the fourth quarter.

After the game, Czernek had tears in his eyes, but he realized he had given the game--and his career--his best.

“I had the good fortune of playing in a system that believed in the passing game and for coaches who believed in me,” he said. “The last two years were unbelievable, everything a quarterback could hope for.”