When injuries put several Ventura High running backs out of commission earlier this season, coaches turned to starting strong safety Brandon Dore to help carry the load.

Three games later, Dore and the Cougars offense is rolling.

On Friday night against crosstown rival Buena, Dore was a one-man wrecking crew, rushing 24 times for 197 yards and scoring three touchdowns to help Ventura defeat the Bulldogs 40-14 at Ventura.

Ventura improved to 2-6 overall, 2-1 in the Channel League. Buena fell to 4-4, 1-2.

Dore's final touchdown midway through the fourth quarter sealed the victory.

The TD capped a 12-play, 85-yard drive, with Dore carrying the ball nine times for 54 yards. Earlier in the game, Dore had fumbled deep in Buena territory, so he was anxious to redeem himself.

"Before that drive, the coaches told me they needed me to run hard. I told the line, block this up and it's our game. They did and I ran hard and we stuck it to them," said Dore.

Making the win even sweeter for Dore was the fact that he started his high school career at Buena, transferring to Ventura after his freshman year.

"It feels so good. I have been waiting for this for three years," Dore said. "It's a big win for us. We have some momentum going for us going into Santa Barbara (next week's opponent). The ougars are back."

After a slow start to the season, Ventura has won two straight league games and has put itself in prime position to earn a postseason berth.

"They never gave up hope on themselves despite our slow start, and they are building some momentum now," coach Brad Steward said.

"Is he (Dore) tough? That guy is a tough running back. He runs really hard and I thought tonight our offensive line did an excellent job of blocking for him. The defense also played well. I thought it was our most inspired effort of the year."

Shelby Moss kick-started the Ventura offense on the game's first play, taking the opening kickoff and returning it 69 yards to the Buena 11-yard line. Three plays later, Dore bowled over from the 3-yard line.

It didn't take Buena long to respond. On their first play from scrimmage, Michael Davis burst through a hole opened by the right side of his offensive line and sprinted 77 yards for a touchdown. Davis had a sensational game, rushing 22 times for 215 yards and scoring both Buena touchdowns.

Ventura's kickoff return team set up the offense on the ensuing kickoff, as Moss returned the ball to the Ventura 45. Despite losing a 30-yard pass play to an illegal-motion penalty, the Cougars were able to put together an eight-play, 55-yard scoring drive, capped by Dore's 6-yard touchdown run for 13-7 Ventura lead.

With just less than six minutes left in the first half, Ventura quarterback Blake Kreutz connected with wide receiver Christian Savala on a 60-yard scoring play, upping Ventura's lead to 19-7.

Things went bad for Buena just before the end of the half.

First the Bulldogs fumbled at their own 42, which Ventura recovered. The Buena faithful thought running back Vince McCowan was down before the ball came out, but the official ruled otherwise.

On Ventura's first play after the fumble, Dore picked up two yards before losing the ball, but the officials ruled he was down. That didn't sit well with the Buena players, who let their displeasure be known, and that resulted in two unsportsmanlike penalties being called on the Bulldogs.

Two plays later, Kreutz scored on a 1-yard run, giving the Cougars a 26-7 halftime lead.

"We had too many penalties," Buena coach Justin Berenson said. "We were a little too emotional. ... We just have to keep our emotions under control. We want them emotional, but we need to do that in the framework of the game."

Despite the emotional win, Steward isn't worried about his team's focus for next week.

"They are a pretty mature, heady group of kids," Steward said. "I think they will get right back to work on Monday, but they are going to enjoy this one this weekend."