Ventura Hangs On To Beat Simi Valley in Semifinals

It looked like Ventura was going to cruise into the CIF Southern Section Western Division finals. Instead they had to hang onto dear life as they turned away Simi Valley 30-27 in a semifinal game.

Ventura built up a 30-13 lead but Simi Valley scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to cut the deficit to three and they drove into Cougars’ territory with under two minutes to go. But Zach Sourwine ended the comeback with an interception and the Cougars ran out the clock.

Ventura will host Palos Verdes on Friday in the CIF title game. The Cougars have not won the crown since Tyler Ebell’s record-setting rushing year of 2000.

Ventura has another terrific running back these days named Tyler Peralta as he gained close to two hundred yards in this semifinal game with two touchdowns.

Ventura is now 12-1 while Simi Valley ends a strong season at 8-5.