It’s Ebell Early, Often

Tyler Ebell tied a 32-year-old school single-game record by scoring six touchdowns to lead Ventura High to a 56-8 victory over Oxnard in a first-round Division IV playoff game Friday at Rio Mesa High.

The Cougars (10-1) scored in all five of their first-half possessions, with Ebell capping each drive on scoring runs of 4, 1, 53, 17 and 4 yards. He had 182 yards rushing in 21 carries and tied the school record for touchdowns in a game held by Daryl Downey since 1967.

Ebell, a junior running back, was quick to credit his big offensive linemen--Kris Vasquez, Alex Lepper, Louie Jimenez, Casey Andrews, Bill Griffin and Bryan Easterly--for opening holes for him.

“They were putting nine or 10 players (on the line) and I had never seen that before,” Ebell said. “Once I made it through them it was clear sailing.”

Ebell’s one-yard scoring run late in the third quarter completed his game. He did not play in the fourth quarter.

Oxnard’s lone score was on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Tony Williams to Aaron Neal in the second quarter, cutting Ventura’s lead to 21-7.

Williams completed 12 of 22 passes for 189 yards with one touchdown. He had one pass intercepted. Neal caught six passes for 96 yards.

Ventura finished with 506 total yards, 417 rushing. Ventura averaged 57 yards in its eight touchdown drives, scoring in an average of six plays and consuming an average of 2 minutes, 37 seconds per drive.

Ventura scored three touchdowns in a span of 6:46 to take a 21-0 lead.

Ventura quarterback Scott Ellis rushed for 83 yards in 10 carries and completed four passes for 89 yards. He had one pass intercepted.

Fullback Tino Guerri, who ran for 31 yards in seven carries, scored on a five-yard run late in the third quarter.

Antwaine Richards scored on a 54-yard run early in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.

Ventura faces Arroyo Grande, a 21-0 winner over San Marcos, in a second-round game next week.