Rivalry games are always interesting, as was the case Saturday night in the 48th edition of the Citrus Cup game at Moorpark College. The Raiders sandwiched a 21-7 run around halftime to tie the score at 29-29 before quarterback Ty Gangi threw touchdown passes on three consecutive possessions to lead Ventura to a 60-36 victory. The win was the eigth straight victory for Ventura in the series, the sixth straight under head coach Steve Mooshagian.
Ventura (3-2, 1-1) took the early lead on a 21-yard field goal by Jake Lanski six minutes into the game. Two possessions later, VC found the end zone for the first time when Cam Taylor hauled in a 26-yard pass from Gangi. Lanski's kick made it 10-0 for Ventura with 3:39 left in the opening quarter.
Moorpark answered quickly, however, scoring on a 52-yard run to close the gap to 10-7 two minutes later.
Running back Chris Beeson punctuated the Pirates' longest scoring drive, by time, with a 6-yard scamper top paydirt. Lanski's PAT put VC ahead 17-7 early in the second quarter.
The VC special team and defense got into the act soon thereafter. Ventura punter Dayton Diorio had a 49-yard kick that pinned the Raiders back o their own 6-yard line midway through the period. On first down, Malcolm Williams and Jesse Lemonaire stopped the MC ball carrier for a 5-yard loss, and on second down, the Raiders recovered their own fumble in the end zone for a safety.
On the ensuing drive, VC marched to the Raider 13-yard line before Lanski converted a 29-yard field goal for a 22-7 lead with four minutes remaining in the half.
The Pirate defense held fast on the next possession, forcing a Raider punt, but a roughing the kicker penalty gave the ball back to MC, setting up their 21-7 run around the half. Moorpark scored two plays after the penalty and converted a two-point conversion to close the gap to 22-15 with 1:25 left in the half.
The Pirates came back quickly as Gangi hit CJ Pride on a 21-yard pass to paydirt, and Lanski converted the kick with 29 seconds remaining in the period. Moorpark, however, used a 42-yard quarterback scramble and a 24-yard pass to set up their final touchdown of the half, making the score 29-22 at intermission.
Moorpark continued to hold the momentum as the second half began, taking the kickoff and marching 75 yards in seven plays to score the game-tying touchdown. After a Pirate punt, the Raiders had the ball with a chance to take a lead, but Tre Haynes sacked the quarterback, forcing a fumble that was recovered by David Owens at the raider 39-yard line.
Gangi took over for the Pirates at that point, hitting Taylor with a 34-yard scoring pass and run tw plays later. Lanski converted the kick giving Ventura the lead for good, 36-29.
Ownes had a big stop on a fourth-and-three for the Raiders on the next drive, giving the ball back to VC. Gangi led another scoring drive, completing a 12-yard touchdown pass to Austin Blake-Smith.
Following a Moorpark punt, Ventura marched 79 yards down the field over seven plays in 2:09 for their third straight touchdown. Gangi found a wide open Jesse Bray for a 31-yard touchdown, and, after Lanski's kick, Ventura held a commanding 50-29 advantage with 3:17 remaining in the third period.
On the Pirates' next possession, they added on three more points as Lanski converted a 41-yard field goal with 14:39 remaining in the game.
Moorpark was driving on their next possession when the defense came up with the big play to really put the game away. On a 10-yard MC pass completion at the VC 42-yard line, Darrian McIntyre forced a fumble that was recovered by Tony Daggett. on the ensuing drive, Gangi put an exclamation point on his performance with an 18-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Pirates a 60-29 lead.
Moorpark scored an inconsequential touchdown late to set the final margin at 60-36.
Gangi was 35-52 through the air for 452 passing yards, established a new school single-game record, eclipsing a mark set in 2013 by Brad Odeman, also against the Moorpark. His five touchdown passes was one shy of the school record set in 2001 by Chad Metlak.
Nick Rodriguez was Gangi's favorite target with 12 catches for 149 yards. Taylor hauled in five catches for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Riley Smith had five receptions for 55 yards. In all, nine Pirates caught a pass from Gangi during the game. Meanwhile, Lanski had a perfect night in the kicking game, hitting all three of his field goal attempts and converting all seven extra points.
Defensively, McIntyre had seven tackles for VC while Dre Jackson and Devonte Smith each had six stops.
Ventura returns to non-conference action on Saturday Oct. 12, traveling to undefeated Golden West College. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm at LeBard Stadium at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. Fans who cannot attend can see the game live on the VC Sports Network.
Head coach Steve Mooshagian holds the Citrus Cup trophy, surrounded by the Pirates following VC's 60-36 win at Moorpark College Saturday night.