Ventura Defense Dominant in Citrus Cup Victory over Moorpark

The Ventura College football team won its 14th straight Citrus Cup with a dominant defensive effort against Moorpark at the Sportsplex on Saturday, defeating the Raiders 49-0. VC held Moorpark to eight first downs and 123 yards of total offense in the first shutout win over MC since the Gerald Ford administration in 1976. James Tuayemie and Adrian Soracco each had a pick-6 in the final 30 seconds of the first half, and Demetrius Edwards recorded a pair of quarterback sacks in the triumph.

Although the Pirate defense dominated throughout, it was the Raiders' defense that made the big plays early allowing three points in the Pirates' first two trips into the red zone. Ventura took the initial snap and marched 73 yards down the field before they were stopped on fourth-and-goal at the MC 1-yard line.

After a three-and-out by Moorpark, Jesse Valenzuela's punt return set Ventura up with a short field.  Braden Siri had a 7-yard pass to Drew Brandenburg-Lopez on fourth-and-5, and James Miles' 5-yard run moved the ball to the Moorpark 8-yard line before the drive stalled again. VC settled for a 34-yard field goal from Rafael Vargas to take a 3-0 lead with 6:39 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Pirate defense forced another punt on another three-and-out on the ensuing possession, setting up another short field for the offense.

VC wasted little time in finding the end zone on their third try as Siri hit Valenzuela on a 31- yard pass and run play to paydirt. Vargas converted the PAT and VC extended its lead to 10-0.

The Pirates weren't finished for the quarter, however, as the defense forced another MC punt. The booming kick traveled to the VC 20-yard line before Valenzuela picked it up and sliced and scampered 80 yards to the end zone for the second Pirate touchdown in 1:19. Vargas again added the extra point and Ventura was ahead 17-0 at the end of the period.

In the second quarter, James Tuayemie intercepted a Moorpark pass to set up another Vargas field goal, this time from 28 yards out.

THe teams then traded possessions until the final, eventful 30 seconds of the half.

Tuayemie grabbed his second pick of the quarter returning it for six with 26 seconds on the clock. 

On the second play of Moorpark's next possession, Adrian Soracco pulled in an interception, also taking it to the house with one tick remaining. Vargas converted the kick and Ventura led 33-0 at halftime.

Moorpark seemed to get a little going offensively after halftime, but their initial drive fizzled out on a fourth-and-4 at the Pirate 29. 

Ventura left no doubt as to the outcome of the game on the ensuing possession, running the ball three times for a combined 71 yards and a score. Valenzuela ran the ball twice for gains of 31 and seven yards, respectively, before JQ Brown broke free around left end 31 yards to the end zone.

From there on out the Pirate defense was rock solid, never allowing the Raiders past their own 39 yard line.

Miles scored on a 31- yard run in the final stanza, and Vargas converted a 25-yard field goal to set the final 49-0 margin.

The Pirate defense limited Moorpark to 123 yards of total offense, including 10 yards of rushing on 23 attempts.  VC did not allow a first down on 14 Raider third-down plays and intercepted four passes while sacking the quarterback three times. 

Offensively, Ventura had a good game on the ground, rushing for 234 yards on 42 carries. Valenzuela led the effort with 82 yards on nine attempts and Lamonte James carried the ball eight times for 55 yards. Brown totaled 52 yards on eight carries with a score, and Miles ran 40 yards on 10 carries with one trip to paydirt.

Valenzuela was also the leading receiver for Ventura, catching three passes for 44 yards and a score. Combined, he had 259 total yards (rushing, receiving and punt and kickoff returns) to lead the Pirate effort.

Defensively Joe Hernandez led the way with six tackles while Soracco and Dzjon Hal each had five stops. Edwards recorded four stops with his two quarterback sacks and Tuayemie had three tackles to go with his two interceptions.

The victory was Ventura's 14th straight in the Citrus Cup series with Moorpark dating back to 2008. During that span the Pirates have an average margin of victory of over 29-points per game and they have scored at least 40 points in 12 contests. The Pirates lead the all-time series 33-21. 

Ventura next will travel to San Diego Mesa College on Saturday Sept. 10. Kickoff against the Olympians is slated for 4:00 pm.