8. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) vs. St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 2008
Todd Therrien got the (mini) ice water bath in 2008 partly because his team was chosen over Oaks Christian in a tough decision.
Photo by Heston Quan
Two years after going 15-0 and winning the Division III Bowl Game, Oaks Christian was in position to play in another Bowl Game. Coach Bill Redell's team was star-studded with Nick Montana, son of NFL great Joe Montana, at quarterback and future Gatorade National Player of the Year Malcolm Jones at running back. The team finished 14-0 and won the Southern Section Northwest Division championship. However, another Ventura County team from down Highway 101, St. Bonaventure, was selected for the Division III Bowl. The Seraphs had one loss on their schedule, to Long Beach Poly, but their overall schedule was deemed tougher than Oaks Christian's. Additionally, Long Beach Poly, the lone loss for St. Bonaventure, was undefeated and chosen to play in the Division I Bowl Game.
St. Bonaventure went on to handily defeat Cardinal Newman 28-6.
