Southern Section Roundup : CHANNEL LEAGUE

Santa Barbara 28, Rio Mesa 17--Quarterback Pancho Renteria capped a 10-play, 74-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:06 to play in the third quarter as the defending Channel League champions (4-1, 2-0 in league play) rallied at Santa Barbara.

Renteria also completed nine of 15 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

A one-yard run by fullback Scott O’Neill, his second of the night, had given Rio Mesa (3-2, 1-1) a 17-14 lead early in the third quarter of the seesaw contest.

O’Neill, who gained 95 yards in 19 carries, gave Rio Mesa a 7-0 lead on a four-yard run in the first quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, however, Santa Barbara’s Simon Banks returned the ball 90 yards to tie the score.