Records, Lompoc Fall to Ebell

Tyler Ebell embraced his father, Dennis, at midfield Saturday night, moments after he led Ventura High into the Southern Section Division IV championship game and became the most prolific rusher in high school football history.

It was a poignant, appropriate moment for Team Ebell. All those summer days of running hills and bleachers, and living in the weight room have produced accomplishments no one imagined possible.

Ebell rushed for 319 yards in 38 carries and scored five touchdowns in Ventura’s 34-21 semifinal victory over Lompoc.

It raised his season rushing total to 4,220 yards, breaking the national record of 4,087 yards held by Travis Henry, now at Tennessee. Ebell set a state record with his 61st touchdown, breaking the record of 59 touchdowns held by DeShaun Foster, now at UCLA.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ebell said.

But Ebell refuses to get excited about his records. All his concentration is focused on delivering a section championship to the Cougars (12-1), who must get past Arroyo Grande on Saturday night at a site to be determined.

“It doesn’t mean anything at all until we win [the Southern Section title],” he said.

The UCLA-bound senior had 159 yards in 19 carries in the first half, when Ventura trailed, 14-7.

In the second half, Ebell used his acceleration and relentless effort to score four touchdowns. He refused to let anything bother him, not even a puncture on his left arm that resembled a hole from a cleat.

“The guy is a player,” said linebacker Scott McGuire of Lompoc. “He can stop on a dime and take the corner. He deserves everything he’s gotten.”

Ebell broke the national record on a nine-yard run with 3:11 left in the third quarter. The game wasn’t stopped, for Ventura trailed, 14-13.

Ebell’s six-yard touchdown run on the second play of the fourth quarter gave the Cougars the lead for good.

Ventura’s defense was magnificent in the second half. Lineman Bryan Easterly had two sacks in the game. Ryan Aikens made an interception. Linebackers Richard Martinez and Brian Giroux plugged holes in the middle.

Receiver Chris Foster contributed catches of 42 and 25 yards in the second half to help prevent Lompoc from devoting all its attention to Ebell.

Ebell remains calm and cool.

As records fall, the attention grows. Requests for interviews, autographs and photos are endless. Before Saturday night’s game, he took a photo with two children, his helmet off and his characteristic smile intact.

“He’s been a Rock of Gibraltar,” Dennis said.

Ebell doesn’t seem fazed by anything. “I just run,” he said.

He has run for more yards in a season than any player in high school football history and still has one game left.

“It’s cool,” he said.

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Ebell Watch

A look at Tyler Ebell’s season and where he ranks in the nation:

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Opponent Att. Yds. Avg. TD Simi Valley 12 330 27.5 4 Moorpark 26 375 14.4 5 Royal 21 308 14.8 4 Arroyo Grande 44 393 8.9 6 Oxnard 32 379 11.8 5 Buena 34 240 7.1 3 San Marcos 19 361 19.0 6 Dos Pueblos 22 351 16.0 6 Santa Barbara 24 365 15.2 4 Hueneme 24 239 10.0 4 Righetti 33 204 6.2 5 Royal 43 356 8.3 4 Lompoc 38 319 8.4 5 Totals 372 4,220 11.3 61

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BEST IN THE NATION

A look at the top 10 season rushers in national history:

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Player, School Year Yards Tyler Ebell, Ventura 2000 4,220 Travis Henry, Frostproof, Fla. 1996 4,087 Ken Hall, Sugar Land, Texas 1953 4,045 Rodney Thomas, Groveton, Texas 1990 3,701 Jermaine Marshall, Kilpatrick 1999 3,586 Wes Danaher, Corpus Christi, Texas 1995 3,569 Cedric Benson, Midland, Texas 1999 3,526 David Dotson, Valley View 1991 3,523 Robert Strait, Cuero, Texas 1987 3,515 Ken Hall, Sugar Land, Texas 1952 3,458

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