The two public schools – Ventura and Buena – have rich and long traditions, but the private-school Seraphs have taken over the last 15 years or so, particularly of late, winning state bowl championships two of the last three years. 
St. Bonaventure RB Devon Blackledge doesn't mind the boos.
Photo by Jann Hendry
Since 2004, St. Bonaventure has downed Buena six straight times by an average margin of 40.8. The closest game by far was last week, a 44-27 Seraphs victory. In that same time, St. Bonny has also beat Ventura six consecutive games by an average margin of 24.5. The Seraphs beat the Cougars twice in 2004, including 42-14 for the CIF-Southern Section title and last year, 24-6.
So, when St. Bonaventure goes helmet-to-helmet with the local public kids, the Seraphs (6-1) aren’t the most popular bunch.
And that’s just fine with their latest running sensation, Devon Blackledge, as his team gets ready to play Ventura (4-3) in a Nike 5 Days to Friday special on Friday. Blackledge accounted for 401 yards of offense and three touchdowns in last week’s win over Buena.
"When we play Ventura everyone is yelling and screaming and a lot of people are booing us," he told MaxPreps reporters Nick Reasons and Karl Wilhelm, on the scene all week in Ventura. "It just brings more attention to the game. I like it."
Not only are the fans fired up, but more importantly, so are the Cougars. {VIDEO_01f2fab2-5aa2-42ff-a81d-f0d3b2ced027,floatRightWithBar}"They always give us a run for our money," St. Bonaventure quarterback Logan Meyer said.
Said Seraphs senior defensive back Tim Bennett: "Some of us have played these guys since we were little kids. It’s big. This is to show who is best around town. We want to show that this is our town."
It’s not just their town. The Seraphs have emerged as a national power.
QB Logan Meyer led St. Bonny to a state Bowl Game title in 2008.
Photo by Jann Hendry
They are led by senior quarterback Meyer (6-foot-1, 204 pounds), the running of Blackledge (5-11, 170) and senior lineman Giovanni DiPoala (6-4, 261), who has committed to USC. Linebacker/running back Dylan Davis (6-0, 234), linebacker P.J. Gremaud (6-3, 247) and Bennett (5-11, 173) are other standouts.
They can’t falter again or another state bowl selection will be out of the question.
After a very slow start, Ventura (4-3) could give them a very good game behind running back C.J. Souter, junior quarterback Keihan Gibbs and junior tight end Dylan Gutierrez.
Souter rushed for 115 yards, including a go-ahead 51-yard TD scamper last week in a 38-20 win over Channel League rival San Marcos. Gibbs completed 16-of-29 passes for 185 yards and two scores for the Cougars, who have won four of five after starting the year with disappointing losses to Agoura (12-0) and Moorpark (31-7).
The team’s offense has gotten into gear since, scoring at least 31 in each of their four wins. Ventura also dropped a 26-25 heartbreaker to Camarillo.
"Ventura always plays us tough," Gremaud said. "Hopefully it will be another good game."
