Pirate Football Moves to 6-0

Traditionally, the Pirate football team's visit to Santa Maria to take on Allan Hancock has been an adventure filled with close contests and late-game heroics. Ventura, ranked No. 3 in the state, was able to avoid that Saturday, however, building a 31-7 halftime advantage and cruising to an easy victory over the Bulldogs.

Quarterback Braesen Leon passed for two touchdowns while Koen Glover and Sincere Cohen each reach paydirt on the ground in the win. Nick Duffy recorded 12 tackles defensively and Charlie Neos had 11 stops on the afternoon.

On the opening drive of the game, Leon threw for 53 yards leading VC to the end zone. Javarien Salter set up the the score with a 21-yard run and Leon completed the drive with a 24-yard pass to Silas Kemp for the touchdown. 

Late in the opening period, Malik Bates intercepted a Hancock pass at midfield, leading to a short scoring drive. Glover cashed in the turnover with a 1-yard run to paydirt and Bodie Ing's extra point gave the Pirates a 14-0 lead.

The Bulldogs halved their deficit early in the second stanza, and followed with an onsides kick attempt that was recovered by the Pirates setting up another short field.

Leon started the possession with a 42-yard pass to Elijah Davis and Cohen crossed the goal line from three yards out three plays later.

The Ventura defense came up big on the next drive, stopping AHC on fourth-and-1 at the Bulldog 48-yard line, giving the offense yet another short field to work with.

Jeremiah Jackson ran for 36 yards on the next play from scrimmage, leading to Leon's 3-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Gillum. Ing completed the PAT for the 28-7 margin with 7:22 remaining in the first half.

Late in the half, Bates grabbed his second oskie of the game, returning it 59 yards to set up Ing's 24-yard field goal in the final minute. Ventura led 31-7 at intermission.

The Bulldogs managed a touchdown late in the third quarter to set the final 31-14 margin.

The Pirate win moved them to 6-0 on the year, 3-0 in the SCFA Northern Conference. This is the third time VC has opened the season with six straight wins under head coach Steve Mooshagian, joining the 2012 and 2021 teams. 

Ventura returns home on Saturday Oct. 18 against No. 13 Citrus. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 pm at the VC Sportsplex.