Buena Grabs Title As Oxnard Falters

Sophomore Kyle Loughman completed 18 of 30 passes for 343 yards and three touchdowns to help Buena High rally for a 36-21 victory over Santa Barbara and clinch the Channel League title at Buena on Friday.

Buena is champion because Oxnard, which had a half-game leading going into the game, lost to Dos Pueblos, 21-14.

The Bulldogs (8-2, 6-1 in league play) took the lead for good, 19-15, on a 44-yard touchdown pass play from Loughman to Johnathan Cornelius early in the third quarter.

A 15-yard scoring pass from Loughman to Micah Thomas later in the quarter extended Buena’s lead to 26-15.

After Santa Barbara (2-8, 0-7) took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, Buena running back Aaron Kleefisch scored on a two-yard run early in the second quarter. A two-point pass attempt failed.

Kleefisch finished with 108 yards and two touchdowns in 20 carries. He scored on a four-yard run in the fourth quarter to give Buena a 33-15 lead.

Thomas led Buena receivers with 10 catches for 181 yards.