A win and you’re in.
That’s the simple scenario for the Dos Pueblos and Buena football teams Friday night when they face off at Buena in the Channel League finale.
The teams are 2-1 in league and a victory would secure the league’s No. 2 spot and an automatic CIF playoff berth. The winner also could earn a share of the league title if Ventura (3-0) loses at home against Santa Barbara. Ventura would be the No. 1 playoff entry based on its wins over DP and Buena.
DP comes into Friday’s game off a bye week, so coach Nate Mendoza and his staff have had two weeks to clean up the mistakes from the tough 14-7 loss to Ventura and prepare for a physical Buena team.
“We’re excited,” Mendoza said. “We feel like we got healthier and the guys are rested and ready to go after a bye week.”
The Bulldogs have a big offensive line and like to pound defenses with running back Noah Martinez (1,051 yards).
The Chargers have a tough defense, led by linebacker David Blevins.
The game will have a playoff intensity to it, so keep your helmets strapped on tight.
“We’re ready to do whatever it takes to get it done,” Mendoza said. “It’s pretty simple: we win, we’re in.”
The playoffs begin Saturday for the local 8-man football teams. Cate and Laguna Blanca both play first-round games at home.
Cate, the Condor League champion, plays Upland Christian at 1:30, while Laguna Blanca, the No. 3 Condor League team, faces Pacific Lutheran of Gardena at 1 p.m.
Santa Barbara (4-5, 1-2) at Ventura (4-5, 3-0) — The Dons can deny the Cougars an outright Channel League title. That won’t be easy as Ventura is physical up front and is playing its best football. Santa Barbara got some key offensive linemen back from injuries last week and they played instrumental roles in the Big Game victory over San Marcos. If the line can match the physical play of Ventura, the Dons, with all their offensive weapons, could give the Cougars problems. The pick: Ventura
Dos Pueblos (4-5, 2-1) at Buena (5-4, 2-1) — The Chargers need to get their playmakers more involved and their defense needs to make stops on third down. Those two things hurt them against Ventura. Buena will be looking to bounce back after suffering a 31-0 loss against city rival Ventura. Dos Pueblos is seeking to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year. The pick: Dos Pueblos.
Oak Park (8-1, 3-0) at Carpinteria (7-2, 1-2) — The Warriors hope to slow down an explosive Oak Park offense. The Eagles average 221 yards passing and 257 running. Quarterback Chandler Whitbord is having a MVP-type season with 1,994 yards passing and 29 touchdowns. Receiver Matt Byer has caught 22 of those scores. Brandon Coppel is a 1,000-yard rusher. Carpinteria is coming off an emotional win over Santa Paula. The Warriors can impress the playoff committee with a good performance in this game. The pick: Oak Park
Mission Prep (8-1) at Bishop Diego (7-2) — After consecutive losses in physical battles Tri-Valley League against Oak Park and Nordhoff, the Cardinals finish the regular season with a rugged non-league opponent in Mission Prep. The Monarchs, the CIF Northeast Division’s No. 1 team, boast a line that averages 230 pounds and they pound the ball with running back Patrick Laird (6-0, 205). He’s rushed for 2,074 yards, averaging nearly 8 yards a carry. He’s coming off back-to-back 300-yard games. Bishop can play physical football. Its problem in the last two games has been turnovers. The Cardinals can use a boost going into the CIF playoffs. The pick: Bishop Diego
