For the first time in nearly two decades, the Hueneme High football program has opened a season with a victory.

Hueneme ended a streak of 18 consecutive losses in openers with a convincing 17-6 win over Santa Clara last Friday at Pacifica. The Vikings had not won an opener since 1988, when they defeated Hawthorne, 14-13.

It was an emotional win for first-year coach Steve Ruedaflores.

"We want to bring pride back to Hueneme," said Ruedaflores.

After winning outright or sharing Pacific View League titles three times in a six-year span, Hueneme had three consecutive losing seasons, including an 0-10 record in 2005.

Ruedaflores was hired last winter after coaching at John Marshall High in the Los Angeles Unified School District. He is a former recruiting coordinator for Glendale College.

"This was a big win for me personally," said Ruedaflores. "People didn't know who I was. I have been around the game long enough to put kids in the right position. I know what I am doing."

Hueneme made a strong defensive stand against a Santa Clara team that was 10-2 last season. Santa Clara's Cierre Wood was the state's sophomore of the year after combining for more than 2,000 yards in rushing and receiving.

Santa Clara had 132 total yards, nearly half on a 64-yard TD run by Wood midway into the third quarter.

"Trevon Nixon set the tone with a big hit on Cierre Wood early in the game," said Ruedaflores. "Wood is a very good football player."

Hueneme's special teams kicked the ball away from Wood, limiting his chances for a big play.

Linebackers Kevin Pinkard and Ray Rodriguez played well. So did Anthony Jones, who returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown.

What bothered Ruedaflores was that the offense wasn't able to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

"The score was closer than it should have been," said Ruedaflores. "We need to execute better."

The big test for Hueneme comes Friday on the road against Santa Monica.

Gutsy call: Faith in two-point conversions remains a staple with the St. Bonaventure program.

For much of his tenure as the Seraphs head coach, Jon Mack passed up extra-point kicks — even early in games — for a two-point attempt. A high ratio of success backed up his strategy.

Mack's replacement, first-year coach Todd Therrien faced a difficult decision in the final 37 seconds of St. Bonaventure's 15-14 road win over Santa Margarita last Friday.

Trailing 14-13 against a defense that had held St. Bonaventure to just 98 yards rushing, Therrien could have opted to send the game into overtime. Instead, he put the ball in the hands of one of the nation's top high school running backs, Darrell Scott. Scott scored the game-winner.

Scott was limited to 76 yards on 16 carries. It marked the first time in 22 games that he did not have 100 or more yards rushing.

The one-point margin could affect St. Bonaventure's No. 1 state ranking by CalHiSports.com.

In safe hands: In his first start as Oaks Christian's quarterback, Chris Potter was efficient. Potter completed 5 of 9 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns and scored on three of his four rushing attempts.

Potter has not thrown an interception in 51 career passing attempts.

The Star's rankings

1. St. Bonaventure (1-0)

Comment: RB Darrell Scott may be one of state's best punters.

Next game: Friday vs. Atascadero.

2. Oaks Christian (1-0)

Comment: Sophomore TB Malcolm Jones had 148 yards rushing in opener.

Next game: Friday vs. Muir.

3. Westlake (1-0)

Comment: If QB Ben Conlin has good year, watch out for Westlake.

Next game: Sept. 14 vs. Saugus at College of the Canyons.

4. Rio Mesa (2006 record: 10-2)

Comment: Rio Mesa has scored 40 or more in 14 of last 29 games.

Opening game: Friday vs. San Marcos.

5. Oak Park (2006 record: 12-2)

Comment: Eagles have won nine straight season openers.

Opening game: Saturday at Cathedral.

6. Newbury Park (2006 record: 4-6)

Comment: Defense will be challenged by Camarillo offense with one game under its belt.

Opening game: Friday vs. Camarillo.

7. Thousand Oaks (2006 record: 7-4)

Comment: Lancers are projected as one of Marmonte's top three teams.

Opening game: Saturday at Loyola.

8. Oxnard (2006 record: 7-4)

Comment: Six of Oxnard's games in 2006 were decided by 8 points or less.

Opening game: Friday vs. Santa Barbara.

9. Moorpark (1-0)

Comment: Young defense pitched shutout in opener.

Next game: Friday vs. Hart at College of the Canyons.

10. Agoura (2006 record: 6-4)

Comment: Agoura has not been shut out in 86 straight games.

Opening game: Friday vs. Ventura.