Offensive Powerhouses Ventura, Oxnard to Meet

The Oxnard and Ventura high football teams, offensive juggernauts headed in opposite directions, will meet tonight at 7:30 in a Channel League game that might stretch the limits of the scoreboard at Ventura High.

Ventura (5-1, 3-0 in league play) is one of the hottest teams in the region and is in the hunt for its second consecutive league title. Since a season-opening, 23-20 loss to Simi Valley, the Cougars have averaged 37 points a game.

Oxnard (4-2, 1-2) won its first four games but has lost two in a row. Another league loss would virtually eliminate the Yellowjackets from title contention.

Ventura, with its run-oriented offense, is the most prolific team in the region, averaging 398.7 yards a game. The Cougars, ranked sixth in the Southern Section Division II, have gained 1,757 rushing yards, second in the region to Thousand Oaks (1,922).

Ventura, which beat Oxnard last season, 43-32, is led by junior running backs Derek Swafford and Devon Passno and senior quarterback Trevor Rumsey.

Swafford, a tailback who gained 1,069 yards last season, has rushed for 755 yards and nine touchdowns. Passno, a fullback who is the son of former Ventura College Coach Phil Passno, has carried 84 times for 579 yards and 12 touchdowns. Rumsey has passed for 635 yards and rushed for 249.

Oxnard’s defense, which allowed only 47 points in its four victories, has allowed 66 in league losses to Santa Barbara (35-28) and Buena (31-28).

Oxnard, fourth in the region with an offense that averages 381.7 yards, is led by quarterback Larry Bumpus, who has completed 75 of 140 passes for 1,230 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Additionally, senior Chris Kalaleh is second in the region with 35 catches (for 572 yards), and Jason Bell has 21 receptions for 432 yards and five touchdowns.