Final football game played at Ventura

Janesville powers past the Vikings

When the football lights shut off Friday night at the Ventura football field, a lot of history went off with them.  For 69 years football teams have played on that field to the cheering of the home crowd and shared in the pride that comes with representing a community that is proud of them.  Records were broken, wins were collected and hundreds of players can say that they were once “Ventura football.”  That history came to an end Friday night, as the Vikings played their last home game ever on that field.

    The football team, along with all sports at Ventura, will be joining Garner-Hayfield next year.
    The final game didn’t end on a happy note, as the Vikings fell to 10th ranked Janesville.
    Ventura came out flat and the Wildcats were able to score on their first possession for a quick 7-0 lead.  They added a second score in the first quarter and outscored the Vikes 29-8 in the second for a 43-8 halftime score.
    “We had problems slowing them down defensively throughout the game,” said Ventura Coach Mark Pueggel.  “Janesville is a good football team.  We had a few missed opportunities and did not play great on defense.”
    A 35-yard pass reception from Ryan Schmitz to Joel Watson set up a five-yard pass to Zach Zwiefel for the first Ventura TD.  Watson ran the ball in for the two-point conversion.
    Janesville came back from the break and scored two more touchdowns before the Vikings finally got rolling in the final quarter.
    Watson scored on a two-yard run and a pass from Schmitz to Shawn Murphy for - Read More Via e-Editon