The Pirate football team jumped out to a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter but could not hold on, falling at SoCal No. 1-ranked Fullerton 29-10 Saturday night in Yorba Linda. The Pirate defense held fast through 10 minutes of the third quarter before allowing the Hornets to take the lead while the VC offense struggled to put anything together, going three-and-out 11 times during the night.
Ventura (0-1), ranked No. 8 in Southern California, struck first with a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown by Chris Marshall. Jake Lanski's extra point gave VC a 7-0 advantage with 10:36 remaining in the first period.
Ventura's only offensive drive of substance was a 10-play 36-yarder that resulted in a 36-yard Lanski field goal early in the second quarter, putting the Pirates ahead 10-0.
The Hornets were able to muster a score late in the half, converting on a key 3rd-and-long situation at the Pirate 35-yard line four plays before hitting paydirt, cutting the lead to 10-7 with 3:59 on the clock. The Pirates took the 10-7 margin into halftime.
The Pirate defense forced punts on Fullerton's first two drives of the second half before the Hornets were able to take the lead at the 4:20 mark. The extra point was blocked, but in the scramble for the ball, Fullerton came up with it and ran into the end zone for two points and a 15-10 advantage.
Seemingly on the field much of the night, Ventura's defense gave up two scores in the fourth quarter for the final 29-10 score.
Kyler O'Halloran led the Pirate defense with seven tackles while Svondo Bradley had six stops. The Pirates also forced five Hornet turnovers, including four fumbles.
Meanwhile the Pirates played a trio of quarterbacks, Nick Duckworth, Marc Evans and Jalen Brady, who combined to go 23-49 for 133 yards and one interception. Josh Holderfield led the receiving corps with five catches for 48 yards while Aaron Stanton carried the ball 14 times for 48 yards.
Things do not get easier for Ventura as they travel to preseason-No. 12 El Camino College Saturday Sept. 13 before opening their home schedule on Saturday Sept. 20 against No. 2 Mt. San Antonio.