Football Game Preview: Buena Bulldogs vs. Ventura Cougars

Buena hasn't had much luck against Ventura recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Bulldogs will head out to face off against the Cougars at 7:00 p.m. Buena has given up an average of 39.8 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Buena is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 47 points on September 12th, they were much more limited against Agoura last Friday. They took a blow against the Chargers, falling 52-7. While losing is never fun, the Bulldogs can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' California football rankings (they are ranked 430th, while the Chargers are ranked 206th).

Jaxon Roberts put forth a good effort for the losing side as he picked up 57 receiving yards and one score, and also rushed for 62 yards. Blake Eberhard also deserves some recognition as he passed for his first passing touchdown of the season.

Meanwhile, it was a proper cat-fight when Ventura took on Newbury Park on Friday. The game between the Cougars and the Panthers didn't end well, with the Cougars falling 43-28. The Cougars have struggled against the Panthers recently, as the game was their third consecutive lost matchup.

Defeat or not, Ventura got some senior leadership from Derek Garcia and Jack Cunningham. Garcia threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns, while Cunningham picked up 208 receiving yards and three TDs. Those 208 receiving yards set a new season-high mark for Cunningham.

Ventura's loss dropped their record down to 3-2. As for Buena, they now have a losing record of 2-3.

Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Buena has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 190.2 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Ventura struggles in that department as they've been averaging 161.2 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground.

Buena lost to Ventura on the road by a decisive 34-20 margin in their previous meeting back in October of 2024. Can the Bulldogs avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.