Pirates Hold Off Huskies For Northern Conference Title

The Ventura College football team moved out to a lead early at East Los Angeles and held of the Huskies late 27-21 to clinch a share of their third straight SCFA Northern Conference title. Chris Reaves had 81 yards receiving on five catches with two touchdowns and Jesse Valenzuela rand the ball 13 times for 140 yards and a score to lead the Pirates (7-3, 3-2). Adrian Soracco and Drew Carter each recorded 11 tackles to lead the defense.

After punting on their first possession, the Pirates forced an East LA punt on the Huskies first attempt with the ball. Valenzuela took the kick at the Pirate 45 and returned it 42 yards to the ELAC 13 to set up VC's first score. Quarterback Samuel Marquez hit Reaves for a 7-yard score, and LJ Harm's kick was good as Ventura took the early 7-0 advantage.

After another Husky punt, the Pirates began their drive at their own 25. Valenzuela started the drive with a three yard run before breaking free on a 72 yard run to paydirt on the next play. Harm converted the PAT and it was 14-0 for Ventura with 5:53 left in the first quarter.

East Los Angeles moved the ball on their next possession, driving 55 yards in nine plays to the VC 25. The Pirate defense held fast at that point, forcing a turnover on downs early in the second period.

VC took over and drove 56 yards in 11 plays. Marquez connected with Ja'ron Glenn two times on the drive for 30 yards, and Valenzuela continued his strong running and receiving. Harm capped the drive with a 36-yard field goal for a 17-0 Ventura margin.

The Huskies got back into the game on the ensuing kickoff, returning a squib kick 88 yards for a touchdown, cutting their deficit to 17-7.

Ventura's offense had an answer, however, as Marquez hit Reaves for a 60-yard touchdown with 8:52 remaining before halftime. Harm's PAT put the Pirates ahead 24-7.

East LA missed a field goal and had a drive ended at the half as Ventura held the advantage at intermission.

The Huskies climbed back into the game early in the third quarter with a pair of touchdowns, the former on a 76 yard pass play and the latter set up by a Pirate interception.

With Ventura clinging to a 24-21 lead, the Pirates responded with a nine play, 72-yard drive that culminated in a 20-yard field goal by Harm.

Both defenses took over the the final period. The Pirates reached the ELAC 33 yard line before their drive stalled, and the Huskies returned the favor, driving to the VC 20-yard line with 2:00 remaining in the game before being stopped on downs.

Marquez was 13-26 through the air for 194 yards and a pair of scores. Meanwhile, Tim Grear had three catches for 62 yards. Defensively, Carter recorded a pair of sacks and Jaylen Wesley had nine tackles. Angelo Jewell had six stops and a sack.

With the VC win, along with victories by Hancock and Canyons, the Pirates move into a three-way tie for first place with the Bulldogs and Cougars, respectively. Due to head-to-head wins against both teams, the Pirates will receive the conference's automatic berth onto the Southern California Football Association Final Four Playoffs that begin on Saturday Nov. 26.

The title is Ventura's third in a row and the program's eighth in the past decade. The playoff appearance will be the team's seventh under head coach Steve Mooshagian.