Lamonte James

• Article
• July 22, 2024

Ventura College football coach Steve Mooshagian has announced 21 transfers from the 2023 SCFA Finalist Pirate football team, four of whom were mid-year transfers. Among the transfers and signees, 12 are moving on to NCAA Division I and four to NCAA Division II. With the addition of these transfers, Mooshagian and his coaching staff have now helped 303 student athletes move on to the four-year level in his 13 years leading the Pirates. 

• Article
• December 18, 2023

VC football offensive tackle Jakob Lemus and defensive end James Gillespie both were named first team All-American by the California Community College Football Coaches Association for their play during the 2023 season. Lemus, a first team All-Northern Conference selection and Gillespie, the Northern Conference Defensive Player of the Year also headlined the Region III All-California first team selections by the CCCFCA.

• Article
• December 11, 2023

VC defensive tackle James Gillespie, along with running back Lamonte James and offensive lineman Jakob Lemus were all unanimous selections to the Southern California Football Association first team All-Northern Conference teams in a vote by conference coaches. Tight end Cody Hoffman and running back Jaylen Thompson also earned first team honors on offense while safety Zane Carter was named first team all-conference on defense.

• Article
• December 02, 2023

Another stellar season came to a familiar end for the Pirates football team as Ventura dropped a 45-26 decision to Riverside in the Southern California Football Association championship game Saturday at the VC Sportsplex. Quarterback Chris Irvin passed for 327 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Eli Aragon, who totaled 116 yards on 14 catches in the game. Meanwhile, the Pirates' running game was held in check by the Tigers, who ended VC's season for the third straight year and the for the fourth time since 2014.

• Article
• November 25, 2023

After a slow start, the Ventura College football team outscored previously undefeated Fullerton 27-14 over the final three quarters Saturday afternoon as the No. 3-seeded Pirates defeated No. 2 Fullerton 27-24 to advance to the Southern California Football Association championship game. Lamonte James had 255 yards from scrimmage, including 195 yards rushing with a pair of touchdowns, and Zane Carter ran an interception back for a touchdown in addition to a strong performance as VC's punter to lead the way.

• Article
• November 11, 2023

Having already clinched a share of the Northern Conference title and secured a Southern California Football Association playoff berth, the Ventura College football team had a trap game at College of the Canyons Saturday. The Pirates fell into the trap, falling in a 21-19 decision to the Cougars, who were playing to secure a post-season bowl berth. VC's dynamic running back duo of Jaylen Thompson and Lamonte James combined for 240 yards rushing and all three touchdowns in the setback.

• Article
• November 04, 2023

With the Northern Conference title on the line, the Pirate football team came from behind to defeat El Camino 21-20 Saturday night at the VC Sportsplex. Ventura quarterback Chris Irvin completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Woodworth with 1:14 remaining in the game, and Ryan Pimentel provided the extra point for the winning margin against the Warriors. The win coupled with Canyons' loss at Bakersfield secured the conference crown and a playoff berth for VC with one game remaining in the regular season.

• Article
• October 28, 2023

Pirate football's backfield duo of Lamonte James and Jaylen Thompson combined for 267 rushing yards and two touchdowns along with another 64 yards receiving, and quarterback Chris Irvin passed for one score and ran for two more as Ventura defeated Bakersfield 38-20 Saturday night at the VC Sportsplex. James ran for 167 yards and Thompson added another 103 as Ventura (6-2, 5-0) continued its unbeaten mark in Northern Conference play. Zan Carter had 11 tackles defensively to lead the Pirate defense.

• Article
• October 21, 2023

The Ventura College football team scored four rushing touchdowns while amassing 223 yards on the ground Saturday to defeat Antelope Valley 35-16 in Lancaster. Jaylen Thompson ran for 108 yards and a score while Lamonte James recorded 65 rushing yards on 13 carries in the Pirate victory. The VC win, along with a loss by Canyons, left Ventura (5-2, 4-0), ranked No. 10/11 in the state, alone atop the Northern Conference standings with three games remaining.

• Article
• October 12, 2023

In a spirited contest that was more competitive than in recent years, the Pirate football team retained the Citrus Cup for the 15th straight season with a 52-35 win over Moorpark at Griffin Stadium Thursday night. VC scored 14 points in the first five minutes of the game and never trailed in their 34th win in the 55-game history of the Ventura County rivalry. Lamonte James and Jaylen Thompson each racked up over 100 yards rushing and Chris Irvin passed for 285 yards to lead Ventura (4-2, 3-0).

• Article
• September 30, 2023

The 52nd edition of the Big Game turned out to be a big win for the state No. 18-ranked Pirate football team Saturday night. VC rang up 56 points on overmatched Santa Barbara for a 56-25 triumph to retain the traveling trophy for the eighth consecutive game and the 17th time in the last 18 meetings in the series that dates back to 1963. Spencer McKelligon led a strong defensive effort with 10 tackles, four solo, and quarterback Chris Irvin had his second straight 300-yard passing game for Ventura (3-2, 2-0).

• Article
• September 23, 2023

Historically, it's almost never an easy game for the Pirate football team against Allan Hancock and Saturday was no different as Ventura outlasted the Bulldogs to claim a 32-28 win on the Northern Conference opener Saturday in Santa Maria. Chris Irvin had a solid day at quarterback with 307 passing yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner to Eli Aragon with 4:26 remaining in the game. Lamonte James rushed for 120 yards and Aragon caught nine passes for 137 yards and two scores.

• Article
• September 16, 2023

For the first 40 minutes of play Saturday, the Pirate football team was locked into a low-scoring battle with Cerritos. VC's touchdown with 4:03 remaining in the third quarter opened the floodgates, however, and the teams combined for six touchdowns and six lead changes in the final 20 minutes of Ventura's 35-31 setback to the Falcons. Eli Aragon had 184 receiveing yards on nine catches and Jaylen Thompson rushed for 97 yards on 11 carries in the game. Zane Carter led the defense with 10 tackles, seven solo.

• Article
• September 09, 2023

The VC football team had its hands full Saturday in their 65-24 setback to Mt. San Antonio in the Pirates' 2023 home opener at the Sportsplex. Daniel Duran passed for 149 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Jaylen Thompson had 112 yards of total offense, 77 rushing to lead the Ventura effort against the No. 4/3-raniked Mounties. Tyrus Malietufa led defense for VC, ranked No. 9/6, with eight tackles, two solo.

• Article
• September 02, 2023

The VC football team came from behind in their 2023 season opener, defeating Saddleback 35-30 in Mission Viejo Saturday. The Pirates (1-0) trailed 20-9 late in the first half before outscoring the Bobcats 26-10 the rest of the way for the victory. Lamont James had 111 yards rushing with a touchdown while Daniel Duran threw for 195 yards and another score to lead Ventura. Tyrus Malietufa recorded nine tackles and an interception and Poi Aina picked up a pair of quarterback sacks defensively for VC.