No. 4 Ventura Earns Share of Division Title

Travis Rogers rushed 33 times for 278 yards and scored on runs of 55, 18 and three yards to lead Ventura over Santa Barbara, 38-25, in a Western State Conference Northern Division game on Saturday night at Ventura High.

Ventura (9-1, 6-1 in conference play), ranked No. 4 in the state, intercepted six passes, three by Demons Bryan, and tied Hancock for the division title.

Ventura opened the game with an 89-yard kickoff return by Jeramie Jackson to take a 7-0 lead.

Rogers put the Pirates ahead, 14-13, on a 55-yard touchdown run with 10:55 to go in the half.

Paul Czerniak added a 32-yard field goal with no time remaining in the half to give Ventura a 17-13 lead.

After Santa Barbara took a 19-17 lead in the third quarter, Rogers scored from 18 yards with 2:57 to go in the third.

Santa Barbara had one chance in the fourth quarter to score, but was John Ruff of Ventura recovered Russell McCarthy’s fumble in the end zone.

Pheon Bright of Ventura had 109 yards in 17 carries.