In a wild game that included 117 points, 1,426 yards of total offense, 37 accepted penalties for 410 penalty yards, and an 11-play, 75-yard game-winning drive in the final two minutes, the fifth-ranked Pirate football team survived with a 59-58 victory over No. 14 El Camino Saturday at the Sportsplex. VC quarterback Brandon Jones directed the game-winning drive with 16 rushing yards and 58 passing yards, hitting five of nine attempts, punctuating the game with a 15-yard scoring strike to Riley Smith on a fourth-and-ten play with 15 seconds left in the game.
On a night when neither defense did much stopping, the Pirate "D" came up with the big stop late in the fourth quarter. After an 11-play, 80-yard drive, El Camino was marching toward what would have been a game-clinching touchdown. On third-and-nine from the VC 15-yard line, defensive lineman Tre Haynes pressured the Warrior quarterback into an incomplete pass, setting up an El Camino Field goal which made the score 58-52 with 2:17 remaining.
The Pirates took the ball on the 25-yard line following a touchback on the ensuing kickoff, setting up their game-winning drive. Jones hit Nick Rodriguez (twice), Smith and Jordan Nunnery on four separate completions for 43 yards, and rushed twice for another 17 before three straight incompletions set up the decisive play. After looking left three straight times, Jones rolled right, finding Smith on a crossing route. After catching the ball, Smith made the final play, leaping over three El Camino defenders into the end zone for the score. Following a 15-yard penalty for excessive celebration, Jake Lanski made the 35-yard extra point to provide the winning margin.
El Camino got on the board first with a touchdown at the 6:43 mark of the first quarter. VC answered when Jones hit Rodriguez for a 34-yard scoring strike, ending a 92-yard drive. Lanski's extra point tied the score at 7-7 late in the period.
After the Pirate defense held the Warriors to a three-and-out, Ventura struck quickly. VC matriculated 70 yards in seven plays, taking up 2:10 before Chris Beeson went for 17 yards around the left end to paydirt. Lanski's kick put the Pirates ahead 14-7 with 14:54 left in the first half.
The teams traded interceptions before El Camino answered with a quick touchdown. El Camino then took advantage of a Pirate fumble, scoring a field goal to move ahead 17-14 at the 8:41 mark of the second period.
Behind Ty Gangi as signal caller, Ventura advanced to the ECC 8-yard line before being stopped, settling for a game-tying 25-yard field goal from Lanski.
El Camino struck with the big play two plays later, scoring on a 72-yard pass and run to take a 24-17 advantage.
Two drives later, Ventura took advantage of a short Warrior punt, starting on the ECC 45-yard line. Five plays later, Gangi hit Rodriguez for a 12-yard scoring pass, and the PAT evened the score at 24-24 going into halftime.
The two teams revved up their offenses over the break, accounting for 38 combined points in the third quarter. El Camino got on the board first in just four plays, covering 80 yards. VC answered two plays later with Nunnery turning in an 82-yard catch and run off of a Jones pass.
El Camino scored another touchdown at the 8:10 mark of the period, but the PAT sailed wide after a 5-yard penalty before the try. After a Pirate three-and-out, the Warriors marched in for another score, converting a two-point conversion for a 45-31 lead with 5:21 still remaining in the third period.
Ventura's quick-strike capability showed again three plays later with Jones hitting Rodriguez streaking down the left side for a 59-yard touchdown. Lanski's kick made the score 45-38.
El Camino scored a field goal on their next drive, ending the quarter with a 48-38 lead.
Isaiah Brown scored from two yards out in the next VC possession, capping a 7-play, 63-yard drive. The extra point pulled the Pirates to within three, 48-45.
El Camino took just two minutes to march back down the field, putting up another seven points, retaking their 10-point advantage with 10:46 left in the game.
Ventura answered four minutes later as Nunnery hauled in his second score of the game, an 8-yard pass from Jones. Lanski's kick made it 55-52 with 6:43 on the clock, setting up the late-game thrills.
Jones connected on 28 of 41 pass attempts for 397 yards and five touchdowns. Nunnery had 12 catches for 190 yards and two scores while Rodriguez had eight catches for 158 yards and three touchdowns. Nine Pirates caught a pass on the night, including Smith, whose three receptions included the game-winner.
Beeson led the VC ground attack with 13 rushes for 126 yards and a score.
The 117 combined points sets a VC school record, breaking the 100 points scored at Riverside to open the 2013 season. Ventura's 702 yards of total offense also sets a new school mark, breaking the old record of 630 yards against Allan Hancock in 1976.
Defensively, Ereck Wilson Jr had eight tackles and three pass break-ups to lead the way while reigning SCFA Northern Conference Defensive Player of the Week Mark Zavala recorded seven stops. David Owens had five tackles for the Pirates. Dre Jackson picked off two Warrior passes and Haynes ended the game with his second interception in as many games.
The Pirates are 2-0 for the first time since their undefeated season of 2012. The road does not get any easier, however, as they will travel to defending state champion Mt. San Antonio College, who has dropped their first two games of the season. Kickoff at Mt. SAC's Hilmer Lodge Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 pm on Saturday Sept. 19. Fans who cannot make the trip to Walnut can see the game live on the VC Sports Network.