Smith Zeros In on State Passing Mark : High school football: Newbury Park quarterback could join receiver Van Buren as California’s best ever.

NEWBURY PARK —  Quarterback Keith Smith and receiver Leodes Van Buren have led undefeated Newbury Park High to its greatest season, and before tonight’s game ends, the two could become the No. 1 passing combination in state history.

Smith needs 281 yards passing against Montebello in the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division III playoffs tonight to break Chad Davis’ state record (9,332). Davis established that mark from 1988-91 playing at three high schools: Palm Springs, San Diego Torrey Pines and San Diego Mira Mesa.

Smith, last year’s state passing leader, again leads the state with 3,325 yards, averaging 302 yards a game. “This is so great,” Smith said. “I never even dreamed I could do anything like this. This is totally unbelievable.”

Van Buren, also a senior, already has completed his half of the equation.

During the Panthers’ 36-0 Marmonte League victory over Channel Islands on Oct. 8, Van Buren broke the state record for receiving yards (3,498), which was held by Greg Siwek of Cupertino Monta Vista High (1988-90). Van Buren also eclipsed the mark of 216 receptions in a career set by Todd DiCello, who played at Healdsburg High from 1983-85.

Van Buren is No. 2 in the state this season with 85 receptions to give him 253 in his career, which is second-best nationally. Maurice Mebane of Cummings High in Burlington, N.C, caught 292 passes from 1989-92.

Van Buren’s 1,416 yards this season give him 4,204 in his career. He needs 274 to break the national record, set by Stan Rome of Valdosta High in Georgia (1970-73).

“This is special,” Van Buren said. “Keith and I have talked about this a lot. I know I run my routes and I make the catches, but I couldn’t do this without Keith. Being friends makes it even better.”

Said Smith: “It’s sweet because our friendship helps us do these things on the field.”

Smith will not reach the all-time national passing record.

Josh Booty, a senior at tiny Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, La., owns the record with 10,970 yards entering his team’s playoff game tonight.

Booty has played varsity football for four seasons. Smith did not join the Panthers’ varsity until his sophomore year. If Smith passes Davis (now at Washington State) on the state list, he will move into second on the national list.

“I know we’ve said this before, but the only thing that really matters to me and Keith is winning,” Van Buren said. “This is great, but we’d rather win all of our games than break every record.”