Shot in Arm for St. Bonaventure

VENTURA — St. Bonaventure High Coach Jon Mack was feeling sick all week from the flu and having to watch rival Bishop Diego on film.

He was feeling a lot better after the Seraphs defeated the Cardinals, 10-6, Saturday night in a Tri-Valley League opener.

“This is the greatest feeling,” Mack said. “I want to stay here all night. Can the season just end right now?”

The Seraphs (5-1) have three league games remaining but this was a big step toward the title.

St. Bonaventure can credit the victory largely to its defense, which kept highly regarded quarterback Rand Holdren of Bishop Diego (4-1-1, 0-1) under wraps most of the game.

Holdren was held to 70 yards, completing only six of 15 passes with three interceptions. He entered the game with 1,351 yards passing.

For that matter, the rest of the Cardinals weren’t much better. Bishop Diego gained 97 total yards.

“I’m so proud of our defense,” Mack said. “[Bishop Diego] has so many weapons, but we came up with a great game plan and they executed it to perfection.”

St. Bonaventure finished with 298 yards but had two turnovers and 126 yards in penalties.

Andre Pinedo gave the Seraphs a 10-0 lead on a three-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.

Holdren hit Clay Murdy on a six-yard touchdown pass with 5:37 remaining. But Rueben Gomez was stopped behind the line on a two-point conversion attempt.

St. Bonaventure’s Teohua Sanchez completed 23 of 39 passes for 189 yards, with Bryce Johnson catching seven passes for 69 yards.