After escaping with a close win over Ventura last week, the Santa Barbara High School football team faces another big challenge in its quest to win the Channel League title.
An experienced, physical and talented Rio Mesa team comes into Peabody Stadium on Friday with title aspirations as well. The Spartans (3-1, 2-0) have won three straight after dropping their season opener.
Santa Barbara is 4-1 overall and 2-1 in league.
The Dons will face a team with a well-balanced offense, operated by the talented 6-foot-3 sophomore quarterback J.J. Bittner, the son of head coach Jim Bittner. He has thrown for 796 yards and eight touchdowns in four games. He’s got a speedy target in 6-1 junior Chance Harrison. J’lin Wingo (6-0, 195) leads the rushing attack.
Rio Mesa also excels on defense. It’s allowed only 48 points in four games and just three in its last two outings, beating San Marcos 42-3 and Channel Islands 49-0.
The Spartans’ most impressive performance to date is a 47-28 victory over rival Camarillo in Week 1. That came after dropping a 17-14 decision to a very good Saugus team.
Santa Barbara’s usually potent passing attack had its lowest output of the season last week in its 29-22 win over Ventura. Junior quarterback Abel Renteria threw for two touchdowns but completed only nine of 21 passes for 143 yards.
The upside was the Dons had a good night running the football. They gained 162 yards, led by Renteria’s 76 yards.
The defense had one of its best games as it held Ventura to just 54 yards on the ground.
Coach J.T. Stone will need another big performance from his defensive unit against Rio Mesa.
There are just three local games this week as Bishop Diego and San Marcos have byes.
Here is a capsule look at Friday’s games:
Rio Mesa (3-1, 2-0) at Santa Barbara (4-1, 2-1), 7 p.m. (radio: AM 1290, FM 96.9) — This game has heavy Channel League title implications. Santa Barbara’s defense will need to be at the top of its game against a balanced Rio Mesa attack. The Dons can use some long, time-consuming drives to keep the ball out of Bittner’s hands. Playing at home should make a difference. The Pick: Santa Barbara.
Dos Pueblos (2-3, 0-3) at Channel Islands (0-4, 0-2), 7 p.m. — Quarterback Ryan Marsh, running back/linebacker David Buso and tight end/defensive end Brett Jones return from injuries, which will give the Chargers more offensive punch against the winless Raiders. This will be the first meeting between the programs since the late 1970s. The Pick: Dos Pueblos.
San Bernardino (3-1) at Carpinteria (1-3), 6 p.m. — In their final non-league game, the Warriors run up against a potent San Bernardino offense that has scored 76, 46 and 38 points in its three wins. Carpinteria is looking to regroup after a 41-0 loss against Brentwood. Kickoff is an hour earlier than normal. The Pick: San Bernardino.