Quarterback J.J. Bittner threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Rio Mesa High team football earned a share of the Channel League championship with a 34-14 win at Ventura High on Friday night.

J.J. Bittner completed 14 of 22 passes for 231 yards and two TDs and three different running backs found the end zone as the Spartans (7-2) won their fourth straight.

Not even Jim Bittner could escape the Rio Mesa High defense Friday night.

VENTURA, CA — Football may be the game of inches. Although, in the Channel League this fall, it has been a race of instants. “It came down to the 'club,' ” said Rio Mesa head coach Jim Bittner, referencing Gonzales’ black cast. It was the second straight one-point game for Rio Mesa, which fell at Santa Barbara last week when an open running lane closed up in an instant on the game-deciding conversion run in overtime. “Everything does really matter in this game,” said Rio Mesa center Anthony Garcia.