Seraphs Coast by Ventura

As Ventura pushed across the end zone for the first time Friday during Ventura County’s game of the year in front of a standing-room-only crowd, the Cougar bleachers erupted in cheers.

But there was not a hint of emotion from the players. After all, they were facing the scoreboard, and they already had been down by 47 points ... in the first half.

St. Bonaventure, ranked No. 4 in the Southland by The Times, overwhelmed its city rival, ranked No. 22, with a 60-14 knockout at Buena High that assured the Seraphs of the Channel League title.

It featured two teams ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the Southern Section Division IV coaches’ poll, but for much of the first half it looked like a one-sided Division XIII game, varsity against a JV team, as St. Bonaventure (9-0, 4-0) had its way against Ventura (8-1, 3-1).

“They’re an awfully impressive football team,” Ventura Coach Brad Steward said. “They have size, speed, [they’re] well-coached ... they clearly outclassed us tonight.”

Right now, it looks as if any team in the division would be hard-pressed to prevent St. Bonaventure from winning a third consecutive section title, its seventh in eight years.

Matt Evans of St. Bonaventure passed for 292 yards and five touchdowns -- in the first half. Three of those touchdowns were to Ricky Garcia, covering 45, seven and 20 yards. Evans also threw touchdown passes of 72 and 18 yards to Kevin Ballard. Evans finished 15 of 19 for 331 yards and six touchdowns.

Much of the time, the receivers appeared uncovered. Ventura had hoped to slow St. Bonaventure running back Michael Lee and force Evans to beat the Cougars with the pass.

“The plan was, in the first quarter, to take it to them and let them know we came to play,” said Evans, whose team led, 37-0, after one quarter.

Lee had 69 yards and a touchdown in the first half, and his 20-yard run in the third quarter gave him two touchdowns on a night he rushed 20 times for 122 yards.

Two interceptions by St. Bonaventure led to a touchdown and a field goal. Ventura quarterback Lee Mondol, who had passed for 2,006 yards and 23 touchdowns with only two interceptions, completed only seven of 18 passes for 88 yards Friday.