Pirates Kick Off Flag Football With Win

The VC flag football team played its first-ever game Thursday, defeating Santa Barbara 33-14 at the VC Sportsplex. Quarterback Ava Ortman had five touchdown passes in the game with Smitty Smith pulling in three touchdown receptions and Honest Watson hauling in a pair of passes resulting in scores. The Pirate defense also had a strong outing, holding the Vaqueros without an offensive score until late in the fourth quarter.

SBCC got on the board first with an interception and long return for six in the first quarter. The PAT was unsuccessful and Ventura trailed 6-0.

The Pirates answered quickly on the arm of Ortman. She quickly guided Ventura down the field, connecting with Smith around the right side for an eight yard score with 7:14 remaining in the second quarter. Ortman connected with Watson for the PAT for a 7-6 Pirate advantage.

On the next possession, Ortman connected with Smith again, this time on a 48-yard bomb. Smith used her brilliant speed on the play to get behind the Santa Barbara defense and Ortman delivered a strike down the middle for the score. VC led 13-6.

VC was not done in the first half however. On the next possession, the quick draw offense scored on another long pass from Ortman, this time to Watson down the right side who caught the ball in traffic, then weaved her way to the end zone through four SBCC defenders. Ortman hit Sami Nava for the extra point and Ventura led 20-6 at intermission.

Watson set up the Pirates' first score of the third quarter with an interception deep in the Pirates side of the field. With 6:43 on the clock, Ortman struck again with a 28-yard pass to Watson for another score for a 26-6 lead.

The Pirates put the game away with 4:43 remaining in the final stanza when Ortman hit Smith on a 65-yard pass, catch and run to paydirt. Ortman then hit Smith again for the PAT and VC led 33-6.

The Vaqueros' offense finally got on the board with a late touchdown, but the Pirates still walked away with the big victory.

Ventura's next outing will be on Wednesday Feb. 11 at Saddleback College.