Pirates Complete Undefeated Conference Season

On yet another record-setting evening, the Pirate football team completed its path of destruction through the Northern Conference with a 56-35 victory over host Cerritos College Saturday night. Quarterback Jake Luton passed for a school record 474 yards and the Pirates (8-2, 5-0) racked up a record 720 yards in total offense in completing the program's second undefeated conference campaign in five years.

Luton, VC's Oregon State-bound signal caller, completed 31 of 48 passes, scorching the Falcons' defense for 474 yards and five scores.  His favorite receiver was Brandon Jordan, who had seven catches for 107 yards and three touchdowns. Isaiah Brown had 16 carries for 136 yards on the ground with two trips to the end zone.  VC's 720 yards was also a new school record.  Both old marks were set a year ago with Ty Gangi at the helm of the offense.

Defensively, Kendrick Bradley was all over the field for the Pirates with 12 tackles.  Alvin Pacheco, Darrian McIntyre, Grant Bouma and Mark Zavala all had six stops, with Zavala recording two quarterback sacks.  Richard Leveille had an interception for the game's only turnover.

The Pirates got off to a fast start, taking the opening kickoff down the field for a touchdown.  Brown completed the 7-play, 88-yard drive with a 20-yard run to paydirt.  Collin Root completed the extra point for a 7-0 Ventura lead.

After a three-and-out, Cerritos punted the ball back to the Pirates, and Luton quickly led another scoring drive. Brian Burt completed the drive with a 14-yard touchdown run, and Root's kick made it 14-0 with 7:29 left in the first quarter.

Cerritos quickly answered with a visit to the end zone, cutting the Pirate lead in half just 1:16 later.  

On the ensuing drive, Luton hit Jordan for a 17-yard scoring strike to put the margin back to two touchdowns.

The shootout continued on the next drive as the Falcons needed just 2:35 to find the end zone again, and the scoreboard read Ventura 21, Cerritos 14 at the end of the first period.

VC continued its offensive dominance on the next possession.  Luton had a 31-yard pass play to Jonte Broski, and a 22-yard completion to Kendric Mallory before finding Jordan in the end zone once again on a 9-yard scoring pass.  Root's PAT made it 28-14 with 11:02 on the clock.

Cerritos answered once again on another high-speed drive, taking just 1:19 to go 59 yards in three plays for a touchdown.

After the Pirates had their next drive stalled at the Falcon's 35-yard line, Cerritos turned around to tie the score at 28-28 with 3:04 remaining until halftime.  

The Pirates were undaunted by the comeback, however, immediately responding with an 11-play, 69 yard drive in 2:53, culminating in Jordan's 16-yard touchdown reception from Luton.  Root's kick gave the Pirates a 35-28 edge at halftime.

Cerritos began the second half with the ball, and once again, found paydirt for the fifth straight possession.  The score was tied at 35 just 3:46 ion to the second half.

After the team's traded scoreless possessions for the first time all night, VC took the lead for good on a 27-yard rocket from Luton to Tanner Gee.  Root's kick made the score 42-35 at the end of three quarters.

After a Cerritos punt, Ventura took control of the game with a 10-play, 80-yard drive.  Luton found Brown for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 10:23 left in the game.  After the extra point, the Ventura lead was restored to two touchdowns.

Brown then put the game on ice with a 20-yard touchdown run with 7:54 on the clock.  Root's kick set the final margin at 56-35.

The Northern Conference champion Pirates will enter the Southern California Football Association playoffs next week, Saturday Nov. 19.  The pairings will be announced on Sunday.