Ebell’s Empathy Is as Impressive as Yardage Total

Tyler Ebell ran 4,494 yards this season, and he also understands what it’s like to walk a mile in the shoes of someone less fortunate.

The moment Ebell returned to the sideline after breaking of a 40-yard touchdown run that clinched Ventura High’s 35-14 victory over Arroyo Grande on Saturday, he hugged a boy with Down’s syndrome. Someone asked if he would pose for a picture, and Ebell kept his arm around the boy while the camera clicked.

“Tyler is a special kid in many ways,” Coach Phil McCune said. “He has a big heart and he is aware of what everyone is feeling. He cares a lot about people.”

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The victory gave Ventura its first outright Southern Section championship. The Cougars tied Paso Robles in a final in 1951 and lost in the final in 1984 to Camarillo.

Yet few programs can boast the number of alumni who have made the NFL: four.

Center Roman Fortin of the San Diego Chargers, safety Erik Olson of the Jacksonville Jaguars and receiver Chris Thomas of the St. Louis Rams are former Cougars. And Eric Turner, a two-time All-Pro who died in May of abdominal cancer, was the second player drafted in 1991.

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With all eyes on Ebell and his rash of records, the performance of Ventura quarterback Andrew Lovier against Arroyo Grande was overlooked.

Lovier completed only five passes, but two were for touchdowns. And his last pass, a 49-yard completion to Sean McNairy, was perhaps the game’s most important play.

Leading, 28-14, Ventura faced third and 19 from its 11-yard line with 5:15 to play. Rather than play it safe and run with Ebell, Cougar coaches showed confidence in Lovier, who hit McNairy on a fly pattern. Ebell ran 40 yards for a touchdown on the next play.

“Sean and Andrew made big plays all year,” McCune said. “They just made one more when it counted most.”

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Running Into History

Tyler Ebell, Lorenzo Booker, Curtis Brown and Gary Sonkur had record-setting seasons. Here’s how they finished in the record books:

Top 10 season rushers in region history:

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Player, School Years Yards Tyler Ebell, Ventura 2000 4,494 Jermaine Marshall, Kilpatrick 1999 3,586 Lorenzo Booker, St. Bonaventure 2000 3,103 Justin Fargas, Notre Dame 1996 2,970 Justin Fargas, Notre Dame 1997 2,784 Gary Sonkur, Montclair Prep 2000 2,705 Curtis Brown, Paraclete 1999 2,632 Jermaine Lewis, Antelope Valley 1995 2,574 Wilbert Smith, Montclair Prep 1993 2,514 Manuel White, Valencia 1999 2,503

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Top 10 season rushers in Southern Section history:

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Player, School Years Yards Tyler Ebell, Ventura 2000 4,494 Jermaine Marshall, Kilpatrick 1999 3,586 David Dotson, Valley View 1991 3,523 DeShaun Foster, Tustin 1997 3,398 Chris Hanks, L.A. Cathedral 1997 3,263 Oscar Arzu, Sierra Vista 1996 3,219 Lorenzo Booker, St. Bonaventure 2000 3,103 Justin Fargas, Notre Dame 1996 2,970 Justin Fargas, Notre Dame 1997 2,784 Glyn Milburn, Santa Monica 1987 2,713

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Top 10 season rushers in state history:

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Player, School Years Yards Tyler Ebell, Ventura 2000 4,494 Jermaine Marshall, Kilpatrick 1999 3,586 David Dotson, Valley View 1991 3,523 John Bordenkircher, Dixon 1997 3,438 DeShaun Foster, Tustin 1997 3,398 Chris Hanks, L.A. Cathedral 1997 3,263 Oscar Arzu, Sierra Vista 1996 3,219 Onterrio Smith, Sacto Grant 1998 3,125 Lorenzo Booker, St. Bonaventure 2000 3,103 Justin Fargas, Notre Dame 1997 2,970

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Top 10 career rushers in region history:

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Player, School Years Yards Tyler Ebell, Ventura 1998-00 7,384 Manuel White, Valencia 1997-99 6,745 George Keiaho, Buena 1990-93 6,615 Justin Fargas, Notre Dame 1995-97 6,352 Russell White, Crespi 1986-88 5,998 Eliel Swinton, Montclair Prep 1990-92 5,904 Jermaine Lewis, Antelope Valley 1993-95 5,636 *Lorenzo Booker, St. Bonaventure 1999-00 5,543 *Curtis Brown, Paraclete 1998-00 5,481 Steve Tetrick, L.A. Baptist 1970-72 5,181

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Top 10 career rushers in Southern Section history:

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Player, School Years Yards Tyler Ebell, Ventura 1998-00 7,384 David Dotson, Valley View 1989-91 7,257 Michael Jones, Laguna Hills 1995-97 7,175 Manuel White, Valencia 1997-99 6,745 Marcus Guzman, Norco 1997-99 6,625 George Keiaho, Buena 1990-93 6,615 Justin Fargas, Notre Dame 1995-97 6,352 Russell White, Crespi 1986-88 5,998 Eliel Swinton, Montclair Prep 1990-92 5,904 DeShaun Foster, Tustin 1995-97 5,885

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Top 10 career rushers in state history:

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Player, School Years Yards Tyler Ebell, Ventura 1998-00 7,384 David Dotson, Valley View 1989-91 7,257 Michael Jones, Laguna Hills 1995-97 7,175 Steve Wofford, Bakersfield 1992-94 7,100 Manuel White, Valencia 1997-99 6,745 Marcus Guzman, Norco 1997-99 6,625 George Keiaho, Buena 1990-93 6,615 Justin Fargas, Notre Dame 1995-97 6,352 Onterrio Smith, Sac’to Grant 1995-98 6,178 Russell White, Crespi 1986-88 5,998

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