Friends Are Shouldering Major Roles

Linebacker Jake Scott of Buena High and quarterback Cameron Merrill of Newbury Park have been close friends for years.

Scott’s father, Buena Coach Rick Scott, and Merrill’s grandfather, Jay Merrill, were coaches at Newbury Park in the 1970s. Merrill was the school’s first baseball coach.

That’s not all they have in common.

Jake Scott saw his first action of the season on Friday night against Rio Mesa after undergoing shoulder surgery during the off-season.

Cameron Merrill, who has taken over for injured quarterback Chris Lombardo, also is recovering from a shoulder injury.

Buena faces Newbury Park on Friday night.

“We were joking that, if we hit each other in the game, it should be shoulder-to-shoulder,” Merrill said.

Probably not the best idea.