Although the last drive of the game didn’t affect the one-sided outcome, the crowd boomed as if Santa Barbara High sealed a victory with a touchdown late in the fourth quarter of a 31-6 Channel League loss to Ventura on Friday night.
Santa Barbara converted on two third downs and two fourth downs, which brought them to Ventura’s five yard line. With 24 seconds to go and facing a fourth and five, Santa Barbara quarterback Shawn Ramos found wide receiver Jason Jimenez on a four-yard touchdown pass.
The crowd exploded and the band erupted in song. Head coach Jaime Melgoza said his kids “just don’t give up.”
“It was a great feeling especially when we have the young team that we have,” he said. “I keep telling them we’re only 1-1 in league, we still have a chance to go to playoffs.
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But that touchdown only narrowed the Cougars’ lead to 31-6, which remained that way after a blocked extra point.
Santa Barbara’s other chance came late in the first half. After two lengthy completions and two pass interference calls, the Dons reached Ventura’s red zone with 26 seconds left.
Ramos took the snap, scampered to the right sideline to avoid pursuing lineman, changed direction to the middle of the field, spun and hurled a 25-yard pass to the deep corner of the endzone that found wide receiver Caleb Hale.
Hale made an impressive diving grab but was ruled out of bounds, bringing up fourth down. Santa Barbara’s field goal was blocked on the next play and kicker Matthew Medina, who is also a varsity soccer player, was sidelined with a sprained ankle.
“It’s a bummer because he was having great season, he’s a great soccer player, I think that’s what he’s really worried about,” Melgoza said.
The Cougars held Santa Barbara to eight first downs and 100 total yards. Ramos was limited to 67 yards, one touchdown and interception, on 10-24 throwing. Hale ended up with 28 yards on six catches.
Ventura running back Conner Armstrong ran all over Santa Barbara. The Dons didn’t have an answer to the speedy back who muscled his way through swarms of green and gold. Even though head coach Brad Stewart said a muddy playing field prevented his back from making sharp cuts, Armstrong bullied his way to 163 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.
“The field was a neutralizing factor because Armstrong is really a cut, back and forth kind of runner,” Stewart said. “He couldn’t do much cutting on the field tonight.”
Stewart was also pleased with quarterback Rodney Stanley’s second start of the year as well. Not only did the offensive lines open significant running lanes, but gave Stanley plenty of time to pick apart the Dons secondary with “poise” and a strong pocket presence.
“I’m pleased with Stanley,” Stewart said of his quarterback who tallied 141 yards and three touchdowns on 13-20 throwing. “Both times he’s shone poise and field presence and has done a great job.”
Ventura (5-3, 2-0) will face San Marcos next week and Santa Barbara (2-6, 1-1) will face off against Dos Pueblos.
