Simi Valley Triumphs in Final Minute

Quarterback Eric Bennett and wide receiver Dave Romines teamed for two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, including the game-winner with 48 seconds left, as Simi Valley High rallied to defeat Santa Maria, 19-15, in a nonleague game Friday night in Santa Maria.

Bennett teamed with Romines on scoring passes of 64 and 41 yards in the final six minutes of the game as the Pioneers rallied from a nine-point deficit to hand Santa Maria its first loss of the year.

Simi Valley, a surprise team of the season so far with a 2-1 record, had won only one of its past 30 games entering the season.

Santa Maria (2-1) took a 15-6 lead after quarterback Brian Miller scored on a one-yard run with only 5:41 to play, but the Pioneers responded immediately. On the first play from scrimmage after the kickoff, Romines worked himself behind the Saint secondary and Bennett hit him with a 64-yard bomb to cut the margin to 15-13.

Simi Valley got the ball back with 3:04 to play and Bennett and Romines capped a six-play, 73-yard march with the 41-yard strike.