It was rough Channel League opener for the San Marcos football team on Friday. The Royals were no match for defending champion Ventura, falling 63-7 at Larabee Stadium.
The Cougars, ranked fourth in the CIF Western Division, scored on the opening kickoff and never let up as they built a 56-0 lead in the first half.
Tyler Peralta carried 18 times for 177 yards and scored four touchdowns, as Ventura improved to 2-0 in league and 7-1 overall.
San Marcos is 2-5 overall.
Josh Januska returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and the Cougars kept adding touchdown after touchdown, building their lead to 28-0 after the first quarter.
“Anytime you can open up a football game the way we did that first half, that sets the tone,” Ventura coach Tim Garcia told the Ventura County Star. “It gets guys excited and builds confidence early in the game.”
Ventura enjoyed a 350-34 advantage in total yards in the first half and a 15-1 edge in first downs. The Cougars defense was just as dominant, making it tough for San Marcos to run the ball and intercepting three passes. Keenan Moran snagged the first of those interceptions and returned it 59 yards for the Cougars’ fourth touchdown in the first quarter.
San Marcos recovered a punt that touched a Ventura player and the turnover led to its only score of the game. Ivan Reyes scored on fourth down from 10 yards out.
