Warriors win it for Ward

OXNARD — This one was for Coach Ward.

The Carpinteria football team traveled to Oxnard with heavy hearts on Friday, but were able to turn the grief of losing beloved coach and teacher John Ward into a 28-0 win over Santa Clara.

Jovan Saenz rushed for two 1-yard touchdowns, as the Warriors scored all of their points in the first half.

Quarterback Paul “Munchie” Aguilar returned to the lineup after a two-week absence and picked up big chunks of rushing yards throughout the night, leading a dynamic Carpinteria rushing attack. Aguilar had a 60-yard touchdown run with 1:37 left in the second quarter, and Johnny Jimenez added another on a 44-yard fake punt.

The Warrior defense has now posted seven-consecutive shutout quarters, and Alex Rodriguez had two of Carpinteria’s three interceptions in the game.

Ward, a math teach and basketball coach who also served as the school’s athletic director, died earlier this week after a brief battle with cancer.

“He’s been on our mind all week long, since we learned of his passing,” said coach Ben Hallock. “We just wanted to make this such a positive statement about how much we cared for him.”

A moment of silence was observed before the game and the Warriors wore black stickers on their helmets with Ward’s initials.

The victory moves Carpinteria to 3-1 on the season while Santa Clara falls to 1-2.

CARPINTERIA 28, SANTA CLARA 0

Carpinteria…7  21  0  0 — 28

Santa Clara…0  0  0  0 — 0

First Quarter

C — Saenz 1 run (Pluma kick)

Second Quarter

C — Jimenez 44 run (Pluma kick), 9:54

C — Saenz 1 run (Pluma kick), 6:49

C — Aguilar 60 run (Pluma kick), 1:31