VC Claims Conference Crown With Comeback

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.

The Pirates made things look easy on the opening drive of the game, marching 75 yards to paydirt in seven plays. Irvin completed a 55-yard pass and run to Teandre Newcomb on a 3rd-and-9 play early in the possession, leading to Irvin's scoring strike to Eli Aragon from five yards out. Pimentel added the PAT for a 7-0 Pirate lead barely two minutes into the game.

The Warriors answered the score late in the first quarter with a touchdown at the 3:43 mark for a 7-7 tie.

While the Warriors mostly contained VC's dynamic rushing attack all night, the Pirate defense showed a bend-but-don't-break quality in containing El Camino. The Warriors were limited to a single field goal in the second quarter, finishing off a 17-play 86 yard drive with 55 seconds left in the half, and Ventura went to intermission trailing 10-7.

El Camino took the second half kickoff and drove down the field again, but the Pirate defense held fast forcing another Warrior field goal.

Late in the third quarter, the Pirates caught a bit of good fortune. Irvin completed a pass to Caleb Alvary for 24 yards, but a fumble at the end of the play put possession in jeopardy. After a short scramble, Woodworth came in and scooped up the ball, racing another 49 yards to the Warrior 6-yard line. Three plays later Irvin completed a 10-yard scoring pass to Newcomb, and Pimentel's kick put Ventura ahead 14-13.

The Warriors had an immediate answer, however, driving 58 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown to retake the lead, 20-14, with 11:07 remaining in the game. 

With their backs against the wall, the Pirates drove to the El Camino 28-yard line before being stopped on fourth down. After the VC defense forced a 3-and-out on the next Warrior possession, the Pirates had one more chance.

Shortly after the Pirates took over at their own 33, a fog that had been around for much of the game began to lift. Lamonte James, who finished the game with 81 yards rushing, picked up a first down by inches on a 4th-and-2 play early in the drive. Irvin hit Aragon for 15 yards on a 3rd-and 7, and Newcomb made a toe-tap catch on the sidelines on a pass from Irvin on 3rd-and 10. 12 plays and 67 yards into the drive, Irvin hit Woodworth, who was wide open at the goal line, for the game-tying score. Pimentel added the kick and Ventura led 21-20 with 1:14 remaining.

El Camino had one last possession, but Alijah Hamilton ended the threat with an interception to secure the win.

Irvin finished the night completing 18 of 29 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns. Newcomb led the receiving corps with six catches and 94 yards and Alvary had three catches for 40 yards. Thompson, the second of VC's dynamic rushing duo, had 60 yards on 18 carries on the night. Ben Hall and James Gillespie led the defense with eight tackles each while Anthony Albanez recorded seven stops.

The Pirate victory combined with a loss by College of the Canyons at Bakersfield handed the Northern Conference championship to Ventura for the fourth consecutive season. VC has won the conference nine times in 12 year tenure of head coach Steve Mooshagian, who earned his 100th win at Ventura, as well.

VC closes the regular season on Saturday Nov. 11 at College of the Canyons. Kickoff is set for 4:00 pm in Santa Clarita. After a bye week, the Pirates will then play in the Southern California Football Association playoffs beginning on Saturday Nov. 24.