Both quarterback Shawn Ramos and running back Cheroke Cunningham finished with impressive stats for the night, but a slew of penalties and Lompoc’s punishing running attack were too much for the Dons to overcome as they were soundly beaten 36-14 at Huyck Stadium on Friday night.
Ramos was 20-35 for 243 yards and had a 9-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Gonzales, while Cunningham finished with 100 yards rushing — most of them coming in the second half — and one touchdown. He broke free on a 53-yard run for the score.
But the Dons shot themselves in the foot by committing 18 penalties in the game.
Lompoc (3-0), the defending Northwest Division CIF champions playing in their homer opener, jumped out to a 27-0 lead, and never looked back. Running back Lavon Coleman led a pounding ground attack, rushing for 117 yards on 15 carries. The Braves ran the ball 53 times for 263 yards.
Santa Barbara (1-2) continues its season next Friday night at home against Rio Mesa.
