Santa Barbara High School Won 66th Big Game
The Santa Barbara Dons secured a decisive 48-3 victory over rivals San Marcos in the annual football tradition.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Football
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Santa Barbara High School dominated the 66th meeting of their rivalry with San Marcos, securing a 48-3 victory at Warkenin Stadium. The win expands Santa Barbara's all-time lead in the series to 41-24-1.
Why it matters
The annual Big Game is a cornerstone of the Santa Barbara sports calendar, highlighting local athletic development and historic crosstown rivalry tensions. This year's blowout result significantly impacts the narrative of the football season for both programs.
Quarterback Griffin Arnold led the offense by completing 25 of 33 passes for 302 yards and seven touchdowns. Keegan Roessler contributed to the victory with nine receptions for 142 yards and four touchdowns.
The players
Griffin Arnold
He is the starting quarterback for Santa Barbara High School who orchestrated the team's potent offensive aerial display.
Keegan Roessler
He is a standout receiver who was named the Gary Blades Memorial Big Game Most Valuable Player following his four-touchdown performance.
Austin Downing
He is the kicker for San Marcos High School who provided his team's only points of the game with a 31-yard field goal.
The details
Santa Barbara utilized a high-powered passing attack to systematically dismantle the San Marcos defense throughout the match. On the other side of the ball, the Santa Barbara defense successfully held their opponents to just three points, conceded via a 31-yard field goal by Austin Downing.
Timeline
September 18, 2026: The 66th Big Game between Santa Barbara and San Marcos was held at Warkenin Stadium.
The Big Picture
This game marks the 66th iteration of a local rivalry that defines the football culture in Santa Barbara. The outcome continues a long-standing series that has been played annually to settle local dominance between the two schools.
The result significantly alters the standings within the local rivalry series by giving Santa Barbara a 41-24-1 all-time advantage. Keegan Roessler now moves to the top of the individual player performance metrics for the season following his four-touchdown outing.
The takeaway
This dominant performance underscores the effectiveness of a balanced, pass-heavy offensive strategy in high-stakes rivalry games. Local programs often use these results to evaluate their defensive readiness against air-raid formations for future matchups.
Further reading
For more on the local high school season, visit Football.
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