It Comes to Pass for St. Bonaventure

VENTURA — St. Bonaventure High played like a team.

Calabasas barely fielded one.

In the end, the Seraphs defeated injury-depleted Calabasas, 34-3, in a nonleague football game Thursday night at Ventura High.

It’s no secret the Seraphs (8-1) have a balanced offense. They had 1,211 yards rushing and 1,210 passing in their first eight games.

But their mode of attack against Calabasas was to pass first, ask questions later.

Chris Lombardo completed 19 of 25 passes for 179 yards in the first half, completing 13 consecutive passes during one stretch.

A season-opening 42-16 loss to Paraclete, when Lombardo’s first two passes were intercepted and returned for touchdowns, is a distant memory for the Seraphs, who have won eight consecutive games.

“It seems pretty far [in the past],” said Lombardo, who completed 22 of 32 passes in the game for 215 yards and a touchdown. “I’m not nervous anymore before games. I know where everybody’s going, what everybody’s doing. We’re all connected.”

St. Bonaventure Coach Jon Mack said Lombardo, a sophomore, has progressed a long way in a short time.

“He has just come alive the second half of the season,” Mack said. “The best has yet to come.”

Jesse Kirk delivered another strong performance for the Seraphs, rushing for 114 yards and three touchdowns in 20 carries.

Not to be forgotten is the St. Bonaventure defense, which has allowed only 13 points in the past 22 quarters.

The Seraphs sacked Dallas Enoch of Calabasas eight times and forced three interceptions. They could have posted their fifth shutout this season, but David Rosenberg kicked a career-best 47-yard field goal with 2:29 left until halftime to pull Calabasas to within 20-3.

Because of injuries, 10 players did not dress for Calabasas (5-4). Only 23 players suited up.

Among the missing for the Coyotes was Robby Coppola, who has rushed for 1,045 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.

He sat out the game with a sprained right ankle and is not expected back until the playoffs begin in two weeks.

Among others who did not play for Calabasas were two-way players Drew Coppola, Jeff Wilk, Jon Ellinghouse and Jon Opas.

“This would have been a great game if we had been full strength,” Calabasas Coach Larry Edwards said. “But it happens and you just have to deal with it. You can’t sweat the things you can’t control.”

Added Mack: “[Edwards is] in a difficult position. You work hard and practice hard and then you feel like all your hard work goes down the tubes. That’s the worst part of this [coaching] deal.”

The Coyotes, who started the season with a five-game winning streak, must beat Santa Clara next week to clinch a playoff spot.