Pirate Flag Football Runs Away from Saddleback

The Ventura College Flag Football team had little trouble with visiting Saddleback Friday, scoring the first four touchdowns of the day in their runaway 48-18 victory over the Bobcats. Ava Ortman threw seven touchdown passes in the game as VC made up for a 15-12 loss in the second game of the season. Analysia Brewer and Honest Watson each had a pair of touchdown receptions for the Pirates (11-2).

The Pirates got on the board midway through the opening period when Ortman hit Brewer from 19 yards out for the score. Ortman then connected with Smitty Smith for the extra point and an early 7-0 lead.

Tanaya Moreno reached paydirt with 9:46 remaining in the second quarter when she gathered in a tipped pass from Ortman from 21-yards out for a touchdown and a 13-0 advantage.

Later in the stanza, Ortman completed a another scoring strike to Brewer, this one from the Saddleback 1-yard line. The Ortman to Moreno connection completed the PAT for a 20-0 VC lead with 3:09 left in the first half.

On the next Pirate possession, Ortman completed a 39-yard bomb to Watson to set up a 5-yard touchdown pass and run to Smith. Saddleback finally found paydirt with 12 seconds left in the period to make the score 26-6 for Ventura at intermission. 

The Pirate Express continued rolling in the third quarter with Ortman connecting with Watson from 17-yards out to paydirt midway through the period. Smith hit Sami Nava on the PAT to extend the margin to 33-6 for VC.

After a Bobcat score in the final minute of the third, Ventura quickly responded when Ortman hit Watson on a shallow crossing pattern. Watson took over from there, racing 66 yards down the left side for another score with 22 seconds on the clock.

Saddleback scored on the ensuing drive, but Smith maintained the Pirates' momentum returning an interception 80 yards on the PAT to steal two points for VC.

Ventura continued the answer in two plays on the ensuing possession. Ortman completed a pass to Smith, who sliced her way 20 yards to the VC 36 before Ortman hit Sienna Angell on a bomb for a 44-yard touchdown pass. Ortman connected with Moreno for the PAT to set the final score at 48-18.

Ventura next will host Oxnard on Wednesday Apr. 15 at 5:00 pm.