Dos Pueblos flag football went on the road and came away with a 27-6 win over Ventura High in the Channel League opener on Thursday in Ventura.
The Charger (12-2, 1-0 Channel League) defense was in full control from start to finish, leading the way to the league-opening victory.
In fact, Makyla Watt got Dos Pueblos on the board first with a pick-six to take an early lead. Watt also had multiple tackles for loss in the matchup.
Meanwhile, Tabby Weller and Alma Basave shined in the secondary and the Charger trio of Mia Soto, Kindah Ahmad-Reda and Brooklyn Hedricks stymied the Cougar rushing attack.
On the offensive end, Ruby Streatfeild tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Hedricks, while Paige Ferro rushed in a score. Hedricks and Ahmad-Reda each hauled in extra points as well.
Oxnard 13, San Marcos 12
The Royals dropped their first Channel League game to the Yellow Jackets on Thursday in Oxnard.
Oxnard opened the game with a touchdown drive, converting the extra point to take an early 7-0 lead. That score remained until halftime as both defenses tightened up.
San Marcos got on the board in the third quarter on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Victoria Aldana to Piper Kittle, but the ensuing extra-point attempt failed.
That duo connected once again in the fourth quarter, this time on a 52-yard touchdown to jump out in front 12-7.
The two sides then traded possessions until Oxnard came through in the clinch, scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a 17-yard pass with less than a minute to play. The Yellow Jacket defense held on for the win.
Pacifica 6, Santa Barbara High 2
The Dons began their Pacific Coast League season with a loss to the Tritons on Thursday in Oxnard.
Pacifica struck first and held a 6-0 lead late into the fourth quarter, when Santa Barbara High drove deep into Triton territory. On a fourth-and-goal, Dons’ quarterback Laila Hernandez was ruled one yard short of the end zone, turning the ball over on downs.
The Santa Barbara High defense then came through by forcing a safety to cut the deficit to 6-2 and regain possession.
Facing another fourth down on the next drive, the Dons once again came up short on a completion from Hernandez to Shea Gannon. The defensive stop gave Pacifica the win.
“Tough way to go down in our league opener,” Santa Barbara High head coach Travis Manach said. “The defense was great all night. We are looking forward to the bye week to get to work and be ready for Channel Islands at home on Thursday.”
Gannon totaled three sacks for the Dons, while Elina Stump had eight flag pulls and a sack. Maddy Stoll also had a strong defensive game with six flag pulls and an interception.
