Santa Barbara High and Dos Pueblos shared the Channel League title last season after the Dons beat the Chargers in the regular season finale. (Presidio Sports File Photo)
The league season for local football teams opens with a bang this weekend.
Football fans will have the chance to see two crosstown games on different nights. On Friday, Dos Pueblos visits Santa Barbara in a rematch of last season?s Channel League championship game.
On Saturday night, it?s a battle of unbeatens and CIF-ranked teams as Northwest Division No. 1 Bishop Diego and fourth-ranked Carpinteria renew their rivalry in a Tri-Valley League opener at SBCC?s La Playa Stadium.
Santa Barbara showed the explosiveness its offense is capable of last week in its 41-28 win over Pacifica. The Dons have a 1-2 punch at running back in Cheroke Cunningham and Ramon Harper, who are equally dangerous as receivers. Sophomore quarterback Brent Peus showed he had command of the team?s up-tempo offense.
The Dons? offense will face an aggressive and opportunistic Dos Pueblos defense. Led by middle linebacker David Blevins and defensive backs Tyler Welch and Leshon Bell, the Chargers have raised their level of play each week. Two weeks ago, they blanked Rio Mesa, with Bell returning a fumble for a touchdown.
The DP offense also has gotten better. Coach Nate Mendoza is taking advantage of Bell?s athleticism by using him as a quarterback , receiver and running back. Matt Sessler is big target at wide receiver and Angel Davison is a threat on special teams.
The Bishop Diego-Carpinteria clash features some of the top players in the county.
Carpinteria quarterback Ian Craddock is looking for his first win over the Cardinals in his three years as a starter. Craddock is a do-it-all player for the Warriors. When he?s not expertly operating the option offense, he?s intercepting passes as a safety and kicking PATs and field goals.
The Warriors have a big-play threat in receiver Bryson Frazier, the school-record holder in the 100 meters. They also have a fine running back in Jonathan Esqueda.
They?ll being going against an experienced and stout Bishop Diego defense, led by linebackers Thomas Lash and Christian Pearson and defensive end Nolan Tooley.
The Bishop Diego offense is running on all cylinders behind an offensive line led by Joe Salcedo and John ?Cowboy? Samson. Quarterbacks Anthony Carter and Gabe Molina can carve up a defense running and passing. BJ Murillo is a threat catching the ball and running on option plays. Danny Molina and Abel Gonzalez are solid running backs.
This is the kind of game that could go down to the wire.
Here?s a capsule look at this weekend?s games.
Ventura (1-5) at San Marcos (5-1), 7 p.m. ? The Royals will be looking to bounce back from a humbling 48- 7 loss against Nordhoff. Ventura struggled during the non-league schedule under first-year coach Tim Garcia, but the Cougars are a dangerous team with 6-5 senior quarterback Steve Ledesma. If San Marcos can open holes for running back Esteban Alfaro, it should be able to control the game. The pick: San Marcos.
Dos Pueblos (2-4) at Santa Barbara (3-3), 7 p.m. ? Santa Barbara has more offensive weapons, but if the Dons don?t control the line of scrimmage they won?t be effective. Dos Pueblos has a tough defense. It played Lompoc tough for three quarters before getting worn down and shut out Rio Mesa. Santa Barbara had to rally late in the second half to beat Rio Mesa Santa Barbara?s defense will have its hands full trying to contain Leshon Bell. The pick: Santa Barbara.
SATURDAY
Carpinteria (6-0) vs. Bishop Diego (5-0), at SBCC, 7 p.m. ? There is more than just bragging rights riding on this game. The winner will be breathing a little easier in a super competitive Tri-Valley League race. Carpinteria has been beating people with big plays. Bishop Diego?s offense has been punishing defenses with long drives. Whichever defense can make the stops and come up with turnovers will determine the outcome. The pick: Bishop Diego.
