It’s crunch time for local football teams as they battle for league titles and CIF playoff berths in the final two weeks of the regular season.
Here’s a look at Friday’s important games.
Buena (5-4, 2-1) at Dos Pueblos (6-2, 2-0), 7 p.m. –– The Chargers should be recharged coming off their bye week. A victory will clinch a tie for the league title in coach Nate Mendoza’s first season as head coach. Buena, coming off a tough loss to crosstown rival Ventura, also can tie for the title if it wins this game. The Bulldogs are led by workhorse running back Chris Beeson, who rushed for 116 yards against Ventura, with 112 coming in the first half. He’ll be running against a punishing DP defense, led by the linebacker Nico Bornand and tackle Jason Schwartz. The pick: Dos Pueblos
Ventura (5-3, 1-1) at Santa Barbara (6-2, 1-1), 7 p.m. — Both teams need this game to have a shot at a Channel League title and improve their playoff chances. Ventura rebounded from its tough loss to Dos Pueblos by shutting down Buena in the second half of a 29-21 win. Santa Barbara pulled away from crosstown rival San Marcos in the second half, 35-14. The Dons will have their hands full trying to slow up quick-footed running back Leo Camacho. He rushed for 107 yards in the second half against Buena. Quarterback Steven Ledesma is accurate throwing the ball. For the Dons, Shawn Ramos is having a solid year, completing 66 percent of his passes and tossing15 touchdowns. He’s also a good scrambler. He’ll try to move the ball against an aggressive Ventura defense. This is a game where the Santa Barbara seniors need to step up if they want to go to the playoffs for the first time. The pick: Santa Barbara
Carpinteria (4-4, 0-2) at Santa Paula (2-6, 0-3), 7:30 p.m. — It’s win or go home for the Warriors, who need to beat Santa Paula and Oak Park in their last two games to assure themselves of a CIF playoff spot. Carpinteria needs its defense to come up with some big plays. The pick: Carpinteria
