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Pirates Come From Behind to Defeat Cougars

The Pirate football team was down. After a two-game losing streak, VC trailed visiting Canyons 21-7 in the second quarter before the fire returned. Ventura scored 21 of the game's final 24 points, including a 62-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Duran to Tyler Woodworth with 2:25 left to play as the Pirates defeated the Cougars 28-24 in the regular season finale at the Sportsplex.

VC sophomore Tyler Woodworth hauls in the game-winning 62-yard touchdown pass Saturday night as VC defeated Canyons 28-24. (photo by Samantha Calisto)
VC sophomore Tyler Woodworth hauls in the game-winning 62-yard touchdown pass Saturday night as VC defeated Canyons 28-24. (photo by Samantha Calisto)
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November 16, 2024

The Pirate football team was down. After a two-game losing streak, VC trailed visiting Canyons 21-7 in the second quarter before the fire returned. Ventura scored 21 of the game's final 24 points, including a 62-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Duran to Tyler Woodworth with 2:25 left to play as the Pirates defeated the Cougars 28-24 in the regular season finale at the Sportsplex.

Duran totaled 207 yards through the air for two scores and Quran Gossett rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown to lead the Pirates to victory. The defense created three turnovers, interceptions by Shahid Wilson, Zane Carter and Tyrus Malietufa, to keep VC in the game for the fourth-quarter comeback. Carter also totaled 14 tackles, 10 solo, and Spencer McKelligon ha 10 tackles to lead the defense.

Things looked early for the Pirates as they forced a three-and-out by the Cougars on the opening possession of the game.

After the Canyons punt, Ventura drove 67 yards in 11 plays to paydirt. Gossett ran for 34 yards on the drive and Duran passed for 24 before Jerry Martin ran the final nine yards around left end for the score. Ryan Pimentel's kick gave VC a 7-0 lead with 9:25 remaining in the first quarter.

Canyons answered quickly, however, completing passes of 37 and 29 yards to score their first touchdown of the night. The PAT tied the game at 7-7.

After a Ventura punt, COC marched down the field again, covering 77 yards in seven plays for another trip to the end zone. The kick gave the Cougars a 14-7 advantage with 3:00 remaining in the opening period.

The Cougars quickly struck again on their next possession, scoring a 1-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter for a 21-7 lead.

On the next drive, the Pirates threw an interception deep in Cougar territory. Canyons, in turn, methodically drove down the field, looking for their fourth score in four possessions. seven plays and 75 yards into the drive, VC' s Wilson picked off a pass in the end zone, giving the Pirates the break they were looking for.

The Pirates matriculated down the field 80 yards in 15 plays, using 6:26 off the clock. Duran was 5-7 on the drive, including a 12-yard completion to Elijah Davis on 4th-and-8 at the COC 35. Duran punctuated the drive with a four-yard completion to Jayon Farrar, who bullied his way into the end zone for the score. Pimental's kick brought VC back to within 21-14 at halftime.

Midway through the third quarter, VC took over following a Cougar punt on their own 12-yard line. Two passes from Duran to Farrar, a run by Jake Murphy, and a pair of completions from Duran to Davis ate up chucks of yards on the drive before Gossett finished it with a 17-yard touchdown run. Pimentel's kick tied the game at 21 with 4:33 remaining in the third quarter.

On the ensuing possession, Canyons was driving. They had moved the ball 49 yards to the VC 18 when the Pirate defense came up with another big play. Carter intercepted a Cougar pass at the goal line to end the COC scoring threat.

The combatants traded punts into the fourth quarter before Canyons took  the advantage with a 34-yard field goal with 4:30 remaining in the game.

After the Canyons kickoff- the Pirates began the next drive on their own 30-yard line. On 4th-and-2 at the VC 38, Duran hooked up with Woodworth over the middle of the field. After bringing in the catch, Woodworth outraced the defensive backs to the goal line, giving Ventura the go-ahead touchdown. Pimentel's kick secured the 28-24 score.

COC had another chance at the game late, but Malietufa brought in the Pirates' third interception of the game to seal the victory.

Murphy had 51 yards rushing for Ventura and Woodworth totaled 66 yards receiving on two catches. Davis caught nine passes for the Pirates for 61 yards. Malietufa recorded nine tackles, five solo, in addition to his game-clinching interception.

The Pirates finish the regular season at 7-3, 5-2 in the Northern Conference. It is the ninth straight season Ventura has finished with at least seven wins. Although they will not advance to the SCFA playoffs, VC will play in a post-season game for the 13th straight season, date, location and opponent to be determined.