Ventura Wastes Little Time in Trouncing Oxnard, 37-14

Some pressing questions needed to be answered at halftime Thursday during Ventura High’s 37-14 win over Oxnard in a Channel League game at Ventura High.

But with the Cougars enjoying a 28-0 lead, none of the doubt surrounded the outcome of the contest. That was decided early in the second quarter when Ventura (6-1, 4-0 in league play) was well on its way to its sixth consecutive win.

Curious minds instead pondered whether that flashy Ventura marching band would be able to stay on the field throughout the second half and provide some real entertainment.

Another question: Who awoke the Ventura student section, which mustered a monotonous chant of “Slaughter” late in the first half?

And, finally, who had that winning 50/50 ticket?

Interest certainly wasn’t focused on the contest. Oxnard (4-3, 1-3), which committed six turnovers and lost its third consecutive game, had spoiled any drama with four first-half miscues. On one occasion, the Yellowjackets took over at Ventura’s 11 and still couldn’t score, finishing the drive with a fourth-down sack at the 17.

“We were never in the game,” Oxnard Coach Jack Davis said. “It was a blowout.”

Ventura finished with 360 total yards and its defense harassed Oxnard quarterback Larry Bumpus. Bumpus, who had a streak of four consecutive games in which he had thrown for more than 240 yards, finished eight of 24 for a season-low 129 yards and four interceptions.

Ventura senior Elan Walshe had three interceptions for the second time this season and extended his season total to eight. Led by seniors Scott Adams and Jason Griffith, Ventura sacked Bumpus four times.

“We knew we had to get some heat on him, and we did,” Ventura Coach Harvey Kochel said.

Offensively, Ventura was led by junior fullback Devon Passno’s season-high 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 13 carries. Junior tailback Derek Swafford, who had injured an ankle, rested in the second half and had 75 yards in eight carries. Junior Jake Kochel filled in for Swafford and ran for 59 yards in 10 carries.

Ventura, which scored on its first four drives, took a 7-0 led on Swafford’s 33-yard run and extended its lead to 14-0 on Trevor Rumsey’s 14-yard pass to Walshe with 1 minute 27 seconds left in the first quarter. Walshe finished with three receptions for 50 yards, returned three kicks for 74 yards, and his three interceptions totaled 71 yards.