The Santa Barbara High football team vaulted into the No. 1 spot in the latest CIF-SS Division 8 poll.
The Dons are 2-0 after wins over former Channel League rivals Buena and Ventura on the road.
They’ll make their “home” debut on Friday night at San Marcos against Channel Islands (0-2).
Santa Barbara’s defense made big plays to hold off Ventura last week. Junior defensive lineman Noah Wood had multiple tackles, 1.5 sacks and also tipped a pass that led to interception by Armando Solano that set up a touchdown.
In Division 5, Lompoc dropped from fourth to sixth after its 28-21 loss to Righetti of the Central Section.
Bishop Diego, which shut down No. 8 St. Bonaventure, 13-3, last week, did not get ranked in this week’s poll but St. Bonaventure stayed in the poll at No. 10.
This Friday, Bishop plays at Lompoc in a key division clash.
DIVISION 8
1 Santa Barbara
2 San Gorgonio
3 Canyon/Anaheim
4 Sunny Hills
5 Aliso Niguel
6 Garden Grove
7 Notre Dame/Riverside
8 Grand Terrace
9 Temescal Canyon
10 Palmdale
DIVISION 5
1 Glendora
2 Culver City
3 Yorba Linda
4 Citrus Hill
5 Etiwanda
6 Lompoc
7 St. Paul
8 Oxnard
9 Diamond Ranch
10 St. Bonaventure
Others: Aquinas, Mayfair, Oak Hills, Chino Hills