QB Tate Passes/Runs VC past Palomar Late

Ventura College quarterback Devin Tate passed for the go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter, then ran for another score late in the fourth to push the Pirate football team to a 32-21 victory at Palomar Saturday in San Marcos. The sophomore passed for 146 yards and ran for another 65 in the game as VC (1-0) rushed for 334 yards as a team, including 88 and 82 yards from Love Adabeyo and Koen Glover, respectively. Keiveon Moore and Jaxon Arrington each totaled nine tackles to lead the defense.

With the Pirates trailing 21-18late in the third quarter, Tate directed a nine-play, 78 yard drive to paydirt. The signal caller completed three passes for 58 yards on the possession, including a 30-yard strike to Silas Kemp, culminating with a 12-yard scoring strike to Elijah Davis to put Ventura ahead. 

Then, late in the final stanza, Tate led another Pirate drive for 79 yards in seven plays , finishing with a 24-yard touchdown run to put the game on ice. 

On the night, Tate was 10-18 through the air for 146 yards and he rushed nine times for another 65 yards.

Max Martin began the quarterback platoon for Ventura, leading the Pirates to a pair of field goals in the first half. VC led 6-0 with 14:18 remaining in the second quarter on Bodie Ing's second field goal.

The Comets scored the next 14 points, scoring touchdowns on back-to-back drives, to take a 14-6 advantage before quarterback Braesen Leon led a 75-yard drive to end the skid for the Pirates. Glover had 12 rushing yards and Javarien Salter, who had 59 yards rushing on the night, ran for 19 yards to set up the score, a 1-yard run by Leon. Ventura trailed 14-12 at halftime.

VC regained the advantage on their first drive of the second half behind Martin at QB. Glover punctuated the 10-play, 73-yard possession with a 1-yard run for the 18-12 VC lead with 9:30 left in the third quarter.

Palomar took just 1:46 to return the favor with a score, clawing ahead to set up Tate's opportunity.

Desmond Arthur had eight tackles in the game, just behind Moore and Arrington, while James Rose and Easton Baker each totaled seven stops. 

The Pirates will open their home schedule on Saturday Sept. 6 against Fullerton. The game will be a 100-year celebration for Ventura College and VC football with kickoff slated for 6:00 pm at the Sportsplex.