Funk Paces Village Christian, 21-9

Tailback Jason Funk rushed for 127 yards in 24 carries, including three touchdowns, to lead Village Christian High to a 21-9 victory over Santa Paula in the season opener for both teams Saturday night at Kennedy High.

The Crusaders scored the only points of the first half on a two-yard run by Funk late in the second quarter. The score was set up by a 15-yard pass from Chris Coleman to Tony Yousif.

Santa Paula threatened to score when a fumbled punt gave the Cardinals possession in Village Christian territory, but could not convert as time ran out in the first half.

Village Christian scored on a seven-yard run by Funk to give the Crusaders a 14-0 lead midway through the third quarter.

Later in the quarter, Santa Paula came back when Jeremy Johnson ran an Ignacio Brache punt 70 yards for a touchdown.