Sports Highlights: Oct. 19-29

Tonight (Friday, Oct. 19) is a big night in Santa Barbara sports – big rivalries, big crowds, and big games.

San Marcos visits Santa Barbara High in the 53rd football game between the two schools. It has been called the Big Game since its inception in 1960. The S.B. Dons have won the last two to increase their lead in the series to 29-23. They are 5-2 this fall and are trying to bounce back from a league-opening loss to Buena. The Royals, 1-7, could make it a memorable season by pulling an upset tonight at Peabody Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

College Soccer News has dubbed UCSB versus Cal Poly as the greatest rivalry in the country. The men’s soccer teams clash at 8 p.m. at Harder Stadium. The match will be televised by the Fox Soccer Channel. A lot is at stake – the winning team will climb into contention for a Big West playoff berth, while the loser will be in trouble; and it is an early salvo in the Blue-Green Rivalry, a year-long competition in all sports between the two colleges. The Gauchos lead the soccer series, 43-15-5, and are unbeaten against Cal Poly in the last 14 years on their home field, but recent matches have been very close.

The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a car flag. The Gauchos and Mustangs have attracted nine of the 25 largest crowds in NCAA soccer history, topped by a turnout of 13,822 at Harder Stadium last year.

The third-ranked Gaucho water polo team will try to repeat its recent upset of No. 2-ranked UCLA on Saturday (Oct. 20) when the Bruins visit the Campus Pool at noon.

Also on Saturday, hundreds of cyclists will be on the roads in the third annual Santa Barbara Century. Between the start and finish at Leadbetter Beach, the riders will face 9,000 feet of climbing as they traverse the mountain roads between Carpinteria and Goleta. Riders entered in the 100-mile century range in age from15 to 72. There will also be 100-kilometer (62 miles) and 34-mile routes.

SCHEDULE OF GAMES

Friday, October 19

High school football – San Marcos at Santa Barbara, 7 p.m.; Nordhoff at Carpinteria, 7:30 p.m.; Bishop Diego at Oak Park, 7:30 p.m.

College football – L.A. Pierce at SBCC, 7 p.m.

College women’s volleyball – Cal State Fullerton at UCSB, 7 p.m.

College men’s soccer – Cal Poly at UCSB, 8 p.m.

Saturday, October 20

College men’s water polo – UCLA at UCSB, 12 p.m.

College men’s soccer – San Diego Christian at Westmont, 12 p.m.

College women’s soccer – San Diego Christian at Westmont, 2:30 p.m.

College women’s volleyball – Arizona Christian at Westmont, 3 p.m.; UC Riverside at UCSB, 7 p.m.

Monday, October 22

Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon, Harry’s Plaza Café, 12 p.m.

Tuesday, October 23

High school boys water polo – Buena at Santa Barbara, 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday, October 24

High school girls volleyball – Laguna Blanca at Cate, 4:30 p.m.; Newbury Park at Dos Pueblos, 6 p.m.

College women’s volleyball – Ventura at SBCC, 7 p.m.

Friday, October 26

High school girls volleyball – Tournament of Champions at Santa Barbara, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and Dos Pueblos, 6-9 p.m.

High school football – Ventura at Santa Barbara, 7 p.m.; Buena at Dos Pueblos, 7 p.m.; Carpinteria at Santa Paula, 7:30 p.m.

College men’s soccer – Stanford at UCSB, 7 p.m.; L.A. Mission at SBCC, 7 p.m.

College women’s volleyball – Cuesta at SBCC, 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 27

High school girls volleyball – Tournament of Champions at Santa Barbara and Dos Pueblos, 9 a.m. Championship match at Santa Barbara, 5:45 p.m.; Providence Hall at Cate, 3 p.m.

High school boys water polo – Esperanza at Santa Barbara, 11 a.m.

College men’s water polo – Pepperdine at UCSB, 12 p.m.

College football – SBCC at Santa Monica, 1 p.m.

High school football (8 man) – Dunn at Cate, 2 p.m.

College women’s volleyball – Cal Poly at UCSB, 7 p.m.

High school football – Nordhoff at Bishop Diego, La Playa Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 28

College men’s soccer – UC Davis at UCSB, 2 p.m.

Monday, October 29

Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon, Harry’s Plaza Café, 12 p.m.

RUNNING, WALKING, CYCLING

Saturday, October 20 – Santa Barbara Century bicycle ride, Leadbetter Beach, 7 a.m. For experienced riders: 100 miles, 100K, and 34-mile Foothill Course. santabarbaracentury.org.

Saturday, November 10 – Select Staffing Santa Barbara International Marathon, Dos Pueblos High School to SBCC, 7:15 a.m. Half Marathon, Page Youth Center to SBCC, 7:45 a.m. sbimarathon.com.

Saturday, November 17 – American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure bicycle rides (8, 37 and 67 miles), Leadbetter Beach, 8 a.m. diabetes.org.

Thursday, November 22 – Thanksgiving 4 Miler, Magnolia Shopping Center, 9 a.m. runsantabarbara.com.

Sunday, November 25 – Red Rock Marathon and 50-Mile Trail Run, Rancho Oso Guest Ranch, 6 a.m. allwedoisrun.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Monday, October 29 – William Wiersma Golf and Disc Golf Tournament, Montecito Country Club, 1 p.m. Benefits the William Wiersma Memorial Scholarship Endowment at Westmont College. willstourney.com.