Round Table Luncheon: 64th Annual Big Game Set for Friday as Fall Sports Seasons Roll On

The local high school football, flag football and cross country coaches descended upon Harry’s Plaza Cafe for the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon on Monday to provide updates on their teams.

There are plenty of big matchups on the horizon as football teams grow closer to league action, cross country teams begin to ramp up competition and flag football teams continue league play.

Perhaps the biggest game coming this week is on Friday night as San Marcos and Santa Barbara High football compete in the 64th annual Big Game at Warkentin Stadium.

The Dons, who are now 4-0, will look to complete a perfect non-league schedule as they take on the 2-2 Royals, who are coming off a one-point loss to Buena last week.

“It’s our last tune-up before we start league… I can’t think of a better team to play to prepare for our league opener,” San Marcos coach Ralph Molina said. “This is a great opportunity for us to play a great football team at our place.”

In non-rivalry football matchups, Dos Pueblos will look to build on its first win of the year with a home game against Ventura on Friday while Bishop Diego will hit the road to take on Etiwanda.

Meanwhile, Carpinteria High will host Viewpoint on Friday for its home opener after the Warriors went on the road and came away with two wins to begin the year.

“We’re looking forward to what that’s going to bring,” Carpinteria coach Van Latham said of the home opener.

As for flag football, the biggest matchup of the week will be out in Goleta when Dos Pueblos welcomes Ventura High for a Channel League matchup on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

The Cougars (13-1) are undefeated in league play, but their one loss on the season came in a tournament to the Chargers (7-2) by one possession, setting up a potentially exciting game on Wednesday.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game, it’s at home so we’re looking forward to that,” Dos Pueblos coach George Hedricks said. “We feel like we didn’t play to our potential last week and Oxnard did their job and got a big win against us so we want to make up for it this week.”

Many of the local cross country teams have competed in just one or two meets so far this season, and most will be back in action on Saturday for the Ojai Invitational.

Bishop Diego, Carpinteria, Dos Pueblos, San Marcos and Santa Barbara will all be competing this weekend down in Ojai as the cross country season begins to heat up.

“We haven’t raced in so long now that we’re just excited to race again,” Royals coach Marilyn Hantgin said.