Ventura Bolts to Title by Jolting Dos Pueblos

Dos Pueblos High had the reputation as a team that could score in a flash.

But it was the Chargers who got lit up when Ventura captured its first outright Channel League title since 1990 on Friday night with a 27-13 victory at San Marcos High.

Elusive Charger quarterback Anthony Ramos, averaging more than 300 yards of offense, was held to 159 by the Cougars.

Led by defensive linemen Alex Mack and Chris Wear and linebacker Joe Martinez, the Cougars (9-1, 7-0 in league) sacked Ramos six times and intercepted one of his passes.

Ramos completed 16 of 30 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown.

Ventura remained grounded and successful. Mike Anderson had two of his four passes intercepted and the other two fell incomplete, but it didn’t matter.

Jeramie Jackson rushed for 189 yards and two touchdowns in 24 carries and Vinny Loffelmann added 40 yards in 13 carries.

Leading, 14-7, at halftime, Ventura needed only 2 minutes 42 seconds to add seven points.

On the third play of the half, Ramos was hit by blitzing Ismael Martin as he threw an errant lateral toward receiver Nohel Corral. Corral froze and Ventura’s Sean Milne recovered at the Dos Pueblos five-yard line.

Jackson scored three plays later on a one-yard run.

The Chargers (8-2, 5-2) narrowed the lead early in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from Ramos to Tommy Madera.

The Cougars landed a final blow 19 seconds later when Jackson sprinted 77 yards for a touchdown.