Home Field No Help for Ventura, 59-30

For those Southern Section administrators who thought they had balanced the football playoffs by elevating members of the powerful South Coast League from Division III to Division II play this year, think again.

Capistrano Valley High’s first postseason game in the new division was a cakewalk, the Cougars scoring in just about every conceivable manner en route to a 59-30 rout of host Ventura on Friday night before a crowd of 3,300.

In theory, it was supposed to be a good ballgame. Capistrano Valley, 9-2, finished third behind Mission Viejo and El Toro in the South Coast League. Ventura, which ended the year at 7-3-1, was the Channel League champion.

But the outcome was never in doubt after the first quarter, by which time Capistrano Valley had built a 24-0 lead. The Cougars benefited from two Ventura turnovers that set up easy scores.

Inside linebacker Scott Newell set up Capistrano Valley’s first touchdown when he recovered Jack Hammond’s fumble at Ventura’s 27-yard line.

Four plays later, tailback Jeremy Brion scored on a 15-yard run to give Capistrano Valley a 10-0 lead. Brion scored two touchdowns in the opening 12 minutes.

Ventura’s misfortune continued when Capistrano Valley blocked a punt and Bernie Chapman returned the loose ball 10 yards for a touchdown and a 24-0 lead.

Capistrano Valley extended its lead to 31-3 when quarterback Tony Solliday connected with wide receiver David Poltl on a 15-yard touchdown play.

Ventura got into the scoring act with a pair of touchdowns in the final two minutes of the half.

Sophomore Derek Swafford returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and cornerback Tito Holquin intercepted a Solliday pass and returned it 55 yards for another score.