Ventura, CA — Facing a dangerous, hurting opponent — head coach Joe Goyeneche would later use the term "wounded animal" — the St. Bonaventure High football team didn't waver Friday night. The Seraphs took a quick early lead, responded to every pushback by determined Simi Valley, and emerged with a clutch 41-28 victory at Ventura College that keeps their season steadily on course. "We knew that (Simi Valley) was banged up coming into the game," said St. Bonaventure wide receiver Joaquin "Juice" Johnson. "But that doesn't change our approach. We have to do what we do and keep the pressure on. We had to take care of business." Ditto, said linebacker/wideout Jared Barlow. "That's a good team and they kept battling for the whole game," he said. "But this was an important game for us. We had to keep playing well." Johnson returned the game's opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and also caught 10 passes for 112 yards, Delon Thompson rushed for 194 yards and two scores and Anthony Wolter, Koen Glover and Anthony Albanez all ran for scores as St. Bonaventure improved to 5-3 overall and 3-0 in the Marmonte League. It's a victory that proves to be very goal-oriented for the Seraphs. The three wins in league likely locks up a playoff berth. A victory next week at Calabasas would assure a top-2 finish in league. A win in the regular-season finale against Oaks Christian on Oct. 27 earns the league championship. "We have to keep improving, but all our goals are in front of us," said Goyeneche. "Our guys keep rising to every challenge." Simi Valley didn't go easily into the night. Despite missing 10 starters, including Division I commits Carson Mott and Sean Brown, the Pioneers battled back from deficits of 13-0 and 34-7 with a show of grit. "They played their hearts out," said Simi Valley head coach Jim Benkert. "We had so many guys out, that we had run out of options. It was a matter of get in there and put up a fight. They did that. I could not be prouder of them." Sophomore quarterback Steele Pizzella was a steady force, passing for 204 yards and three touchdowns — including a 45-yard strike to Caleb Alvary — while also rushing for 64 yards and a 9-yard touchdown. He said the Pioneers have little choice but to bond amid the adversity. "Honestly, everyone made it about the team this week in practice," he said. "Everyone was focused on what they can do to make the team better. I think we could have made the game a lot closer. Still too many missed opportunities. "But we'll keep battling." Simi Valley moves to 4-4 overall and 1-2 in league and may or may not be in line for an at-large berth in postseason. "I don't know, but we'll hope," said Benkert. "We hope to get some of our injured back in the next two weeks." Simi Valley will host Oaks Christian this Friday night. Goyeneche said he fully expected to get a fight from the Pioneers. "We talked about that at our coaches' meeting on Sunday," he said. "We knew Simi Valley was hurting, but that made them like a wounded animal. They've got the best coach in the county and he had his team prepared with a great game plan. I give them credit." After Johnson broke loose on the opening kickoff, St. Bonaventure used a 74-yard run by Thompson on its next possession to set up Wolter's 11-yard scoring carry. Simi Valley answered back on Pizzella's 45-yard hookup to Alvary, and St. Bonaventure did the same. Glover's 13-yard run with 7:24 left in the first half upped the lead to 20-7. Then touchdown runs of 19 and 13 yards by Thompson hiked the advantage to 34-7 inside two minutes. Simi Valley didn't go away. Pizzella scored on a 9-yard run with 30 seconds left in the first half. Pizzella's 5-yard scoring toss to Robert Dixon trimmed the deficit to 34-21 near the top of the third period. Wolter completed 14 of 20 pass attempts for 157 yards and one interception. Glover rushed for 131 yards on 10 carries. For Simi Valley, Alvary notched 100 rushing yards on 12 carries and caught three passes for 66 yards. Dixon had two touchdowns and 68 yards on four receptions.