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VC Opens Northern Conference Play with Victory

In another chapter in the interesting series between Ventura and Allan Hancock in community college football, the Pirates defeated the Bulldogs 42-33 Saturday at the VC Sportsplex. VC was outgained in yardage by Hancock, 426-361, and the Bulldogs held a 13-plus minute advantage in time of possession, yet Ventura prevailed on the scoreboard in the contest between last year's defending Northern Conference co-champions.

VC sophomore Zane Carter (7) recorded 14 tackles, nine solo, in the Pirates' 42-33 victory over Hancock Saturday in the Northern Conference opener.
VC sophomore Zane Carter (7) recorded 14 tackles, nine solo, in the Pirates' 42-33 victory over Hancock Saturday in the Northern Conference opener.
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September 28, 2024

In another chapter in the interesting series between Ventura and Allan Hancock in community college football, the Pirates defeated the Bulldogs 42-33 Saturday at the VC Sportsplex. VC was outgained in yardage by Hancock, 426-361, and the Bulldogs held a 13-plus minute advantage in time of possession, yet Ventura (3-1, 1-0) prevailed on the scoreboard in the contest between last year's defending Northern Conference co-champions.

Ventura quarterback Daniel Duran had another outstanding outing, passing for 246 yards and four touchdowns, connecting on 24 of 32 passing attempts. Silas Kemp hauled in eight passes for 90 yards and two scores to lead the VC receiving corps. Quran Gossett was solid on the ground with 90 rushing yards on 14 carries with one visit to paydirt.

Meanwhile, Zane Carter had a stellar night defensively with 14 tackles, nine solo, to lead the Pirate defense. Shahid Wilson and Brayden Beck each recorded eight stops and Tyrus Malietufa had seven tackles and a key interception.

The Bulldogs took the opening kickoff and established their well-known plan to run the football and control the clock. They went 75 yards in 14 plays, controlling the ball for 8:25 en route to their first visit to the end zone.  It what also would become an issue, AHC missed the extra point kick to keep their advantage at 6-0.

Ventura managed just one first down, via penalty, on the next possession before punting the ball back to the Bulldogs. Hancock then held the ball for another 7:09, running 12 plays before the VC defense held on a 4th-and-1 and the Pirate 32-yard line.

VC wasted little time in capitalizing on the big play by the defense as Duran completed five straight passes, the last one for 33 yards to Jayon Farrar to paydirt. Ryan Pimentel's kick was good and Ventura led 7-6 with 10:10 remaining in the second quarter.

With solid field position after the ensuing kickoff, AHC answered quickly, marching 58 yards in seven plays, four rushing and three through the air, for a touchdown. The Bulldogs converted their only PAT kick of the night for a 13-7 edge.

Once again, when given the chance, the Pirates offense answered the bell, putting together a nine-play, 74-yard drive over 3:20, culminating in a two-yard touchdown run by Devin Tate. Pimentel's kick gave the lead back to the Pirates, 14-13, at the 2:43 mark of the period.

The VC defense came up with another big play on the Bulldogs' third play on their next drive as Ty Ely forced a fumble that was recovered by Anthony Martinez. 

The Pirates immediately capitalized on a 38-yard scoring strike from Duran to Kemp. Pimentel's kick made it 21-13 with 1:13 remaining in the half.

Hancock uncharacteristically answered quickly, traveling 77 yards in just three plays for another score. They converted a two-point conversion to knot the score at 21 heading to halftime.

The second half got off to a rough start for the Pirates. They went three-and-out on their first possession, and on the ensuing drive, had an interception on an apparently tipped pass nullified by a pass interference penalty on a non-tipped pass. The Bulldogs continued their drive and scored a touchdown, missing the PAT kick, for a 27-21 advantage with 5:13 left in the stanza.

Duran, once again, led a quick VC answer, driving the Pirates 75 yards in six plays. Gossett punctuated the possession with a 20-yard run, hurdling over AHC defenders on his way to the end zone. Pimentel's kick put Ventura back ahead, 28-27.

Malietufa ended the next Hancock drive with an interceptuion in the end zone, giving the Pirates the ball with the lead.

That was Ventura needed as they marched 80 yards down the field in nine plays, finding paydirt when Duran hit Tanner Crandall for a 19-yard touchdown pass a the 9:02 mark of the final period. Pimentel remained perfect on the night with the kick.

VC's defense forced another Hancock punt on the ensuing drive, and the Pirates took full advantage, matriculating 58 yards in seven plays to seemingly put the game away with another Duran touchdown pass to Kemp. 

The Bulldogs did not go quietly as they found the end zone two minutes later to close the gap.  Another missed PAT kick by the Bulldogs kept the margin at two scores, however, and the Pirates were able to run out the clock for the 42-33 victory.

The Pirates will next travel to Santa Barbara on Saturday Oct. 5 for a 6:00 pm kick-off at La Playa Stadium.