THOUSAND OAKS — The Nate Mendoza era at Santa Barbara High started with a bang on Friday as his Dons erupted for three touchdowns in the first quarter.
The early fireworks were needed as Thousand Oaks came roaring back and pulled to within a point in the third quarter. But Santa Barbara made some clutch defensive plays, added another score and used its strong running game to eat up the clock for a 29-21 season-opening football victory.
Senior quarterback Abel Renteria threw two touchdown passes, one an 86-yard bomb to Tomas Gil, and ran for a score. Senior running back Koa Herrera rushed for 117 yards and junior running back Bode Fauskee scored the clinching touchdown with 4:31 left in the third quarter.
The Dons’ defense stepped up and made big plays in the second half to kill Thousand Oaks drives.
“I think the boys responded to adversity tonight really well. We kind of stressed that all week, see what happens when things don’t go our way, ” said Mendoza, who was making his return to high school football coaching since taking Dos Pueblos to the 2017 CIF-SS finals.
After scoring on consecutive drives following a Thousand Oaks score for 22-7 lead in the first quarter, the Dons gave up a touchdown right before the end of the first half. Slippery Lancers’ quarterback Jackson Taylor hit wide receiver Andrew Simon Lacombe for a 71-yard score to make it 22-14.
The Lancers came out firing in the second half and scored on their first possession as Taylor and receiver Kemp Silas connected on beautiful 23-yard pass in the near corner of the end zone. Jose Hernandez’s PAT made it a one-point game (22-21) at 8:53 of the third quarter.
Riding the momentum, Thousand Oaks stopped Santa Barbara on its next possession. A penalty nullified a Dons’ first down on a fourth-and-five play.
Santa Barbara got the momentum back, thanks to its defense. Damian Stehno sacked Taylor on third-and-17, forcing a punt from the Lancers’ 7. A penalty moved the ball up five yards.
A short punt gave Santa Barbara the ball at the Thousand Oaks 30. Herrera ran for 10 yards on first down and a Lancers’ penalty placed the ball at the 12. Fauskee ran off the left side and scored from 12 yards and Daniel Ramirez kicked the PAT for 29-21 advantage.
“That was pretty tough right before half, and then they come out and score on us at the start of the second half,” said Mendoza of the Lancers’ big plays. “But our boys stayed in it and responded. That’s what I’m most proud about, just the way they responded.”
Santa Barbara came out ready to go. The Dons took the opening kickoff and drove 69 yards on 12 plays and scored on a 1-yard run by Renteria. The quarterback competed two passes on the drive, a 24-yarder to Winston Bartley on third and 8, and a 15-yard screen to Fauskee.
The Dons went for the 2-point conversion and Renteria plowed into the end zone behind his experienced offensive line for an 8-0 lead at 6:38 of the first quarter.
Thousand Oaks, which went 10-1 last year, came right back. Running back Brolin Harrah broke off a 45-yard run on the Lancers’ first play to start a 57-yard scoring drive. Harrah capped it with a 1-yard run and Hernandez kicked the PAT to make it 8-7.
Santa Barbara started its next series at the 14, and on first down Gil got behind his defender and Renteria hit him perfectly for an 86-yard score. Ramirez kicked the PAT for a 15-7 advantage.
“Luckily, early on we made some huge plays that kind of sparked us. That Tomas Gil play was really good,” said Mendoza.
Santa Barbara capitalized on an 8-yard Thousand Oaks punt and started its next drive at the Lancers’ 32. On second and 6, Renteria lofted a pass over the defender and into the arms of Bartley for a 28-yard score and a 22-7 lead.
The Dons’ defense, meanwhile, contained the Lancers until the end of the first half. Junior DJ Wilsoz recorded the team’s first interception.
Herrera shined as the Dons’ primary running back. His hard running kept drives going, and those runs were especially important in chewing up time in the fourth quarter.
“It was amazing,” said Herrera of his role. “We were staying on the ground and having that clock running. It was a great feeling. It was crucial, it was crucial to winning the game. We got the job done.”
He gained his 117 yards on 22 carries.
“Really proud of Koa,” said Mendoza. “He looks like a little guy, but man he ran hard, he ran really hard. He set the tone with Bode and Abel.”
Herrera credited the team’s fitness for their strong finish to the game.
“That”s the conditioning. Coach Nate really had us working. It sucks, but in the game we’re definitely capitalizing being more conditioned the other team. That’s definitely a big advantage.”