The 66th Big Game between Santa Barbara High and San Marcos football has come and gone, and the Dons rounded out their weekend of celebration by headlining Monday’s SB Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.
While the Dons’ football team received its flowers for a stellar showing last Friday, other local fall sports teams provided season updates as the calendar creeps towards October.
The SBART Press Luncheon is sponsored by Fidelity National Title Group, Investec Real Estate, Knight Real Estate Group and Carp Physio.
Keegan Roessler Wins Gary Blades Memorial Big Game MVP
The Santa Barbara High Dons continued their dominance of the annual Big Game last week, cruising to a 48-3 rout of longtime rival San Marcos in the 66th edition of the matchup. The Dons have won nine of the last 10 matchups, with the game ending in a tie in 2024.
“A lot of people come for one game a year and buy a ticket,” Santa Barbara High head coach Nate Mendoza said of the importance of the Big Game. “Alumni come to the San Marcos game, so it’s our job to put a show on. We’re very humbled and proud.”
Sophomore wide receiver Keegan Roessler made his presence known in his first career Big Game at the varsity level, hauling in nine catches for 142 yards and four touchdowns.
As a result of his big performance, Roessler was awarded the game’s Gary Blades Memorial Big Game MVP and was honored by Chris Rabe, the creator of the award and longtime friend of Blades.
“[Roessler] had an outstanding night, really got loose,” Mendoza said. “Everybody notices the touchdowns, but we gave him some different assignments to try to set up some play actions.
“He was down there in a three-point stance and blocking. We had to teach him how to get in a three-point stance this week, and he did a good job.”
Roessler and the Dons (3-2) will now head into their bye week before beginning Channel League action next Friday at home against a solid Moorpark squad.
Action-Packed Week of Volleyball Ahead
As the fall sports season marches on, this week presents a handful of challenges and opportunities for local high school girls volleyball teams.
Tuesday’s slate is headlined by a crosstown rivalry clash between Dos Pueblos and San Marcos inside the Thunderhut, with first serve set for 6:30 p.m.
Santa Barbara High, Bishop Diego and Laguna Blanca will also be in action on Tuesday against league foes.
Thursday is an even busier day for girls volleyball teams, as six squads will be competing in league matchups. Dos Pueblos, Laguna Blanca and Carpinteria High will all be at home.
A week of league showdowns will give way to the annual Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions on Friday and Saturday, hosted by Santa Barbara High at J.R. Richards Gym and the Thunderhut.
Santa Barbara High, Dos Pueblos and San Marcos will all be competing in the tournament, with all three teams beginning play on Friday in hopes of playing into the winner’s bracket on Saturday.
The Dons and Chargers will both begin their tournaments on Friday at 12:45 p.m. against San Clemente and Clovis East, respectively. Meanwhile, San Marcos will take on Edison on Friday at 4:15 p.m.
UCSB Fall Sports Enter Big West Action
The UCSB Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Soccer and Men’s Soccer squads will all take on Big West opponents this week after battling through tough non-conference foes.
The Gaucho volleyball team (4-7) will begin Big West play in the Thunderdome this weekend, hosting CSU Northridge on Friday and CSU Bakersfield on Saturday. Both matches start at 7 p.m.
The UCSB Women’s Soccer (5-1-3) team will also remain in Isla Vista this week, rolling out the welcome mats for Long Beach State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Sacramento State on Saturday at 6 p.m.
As for the Men’s Soccer team (4-2-2), the Gauchos will head north to San Luis Obispo for the first leg of the Blue-Green Rivalry match with Cal Poly on Friday at 7 p.m. The match will be treated as a non-conference showdown.
Student-Athletes in Attendance
SBCC Football: Mason Eagal
San Marcos Flag Football: Victoria Aldana, Piper Kittle
Santa Barbara High Football: Griffin Arnold, Reid Miller, Keegan Roessler
Dos Pueblos Flag Football: Kindah Ahmad-Reda, Brooklyn Hedricks, Makyla Watt
San Marcos Girls Tennis: Leah Shenoda
Carpinteria High Girls Tennis: Aubrey Alcaraz, Caroline Cooney
Carpinteria High Girls Volleyball: Cora Nimmons, Isla Moore
San Marcos Boys Water Polo: Cody Clark, Brandon Lee
