After a slow start, the Ventura College football team outscored previously undefeated Fullerton 27-14 over the final three quarters Saturday afternoon as the No. 3-seeded Pirates defeated No. 2 Fullerton 27-24 to advance to the Southern California Football Association championship game. Lamonte James had 255 yards from scrimmage, including 195 yards rushing with a pair of touchdowns, and Zane Carter ran an interception back for a touchdown in addition to a strong performance as VC's punter to lead the way.
Ventura (8-3) will now host the SCFA final on Saturday Dec. 2 against No. 4 Riverside (10-1) an upset winner over No. 1 and previously undefeated Mt. San Antonio (10-1).
The Hornets (10-1) looked the part of the undefeated hosts early as they marched down the field after a VC punt, scoring a touchdown for a 7-0 lead. FC added a field goal at the end of the quarter for a 10-0 margin after 15 minutes of play.
Ventura responded with a 13-play, 88-yard drive on the next possession to get back into the game. Quarterback Chris Irvin completed five of six throws on the drive, including a pair to Tyler Woodworth for 30 total yards, and the Pirates' unprecedented pair of 1,000-yard rushers, James and Jaylen Thompson took care of the rest. James finished the final seven yards of the drive, including the 2-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-1. The PAt was blocked, however, and VC trailed 10-6 with 10:02 remaining in the second quarter.
Fullerton was driving again on the next possession when the Pirate defense took charge of the game. With the Hornets at the VC 24, Ben Hall intercepted a FC pass to end the scoring threat.
On Fullerton's next drive, Carter snatched an interception out of the air and raced 30 yards down the sideline to put Ventura ahead 12-10.
The Hornets did reach paydirt one more time before the half and led the Pirates 17-12 at intermission.
After holding FC to a 3-and-out on the opening possession of the second half, James continued to lead the Pirate effort. He took a swing pass from Irvin 29 yards on the opening play of the drive and found paydirt seven plays later on a 10-yard run. Irvin completed a pass to Eli Aragon for the two-point conversion and Ventura led 20-17 just over four minutes into the third period.
After the teams traded punts, Fullerton used a 50-yard run to set up another touchdown to retake the lead 24-20 with 5:12 on the clock.
Ventura took over after the ensuing kickoff, and was stopped on third-and 7 just past midfield, but a roughing the kicker penalty on the VC punt gave the Pirates new life on the drive. Irvin completed a pair of passes to advance to the Hornet 12 and James ran the ball to the FC 4-yard-line. Ezekiel Savage II took care of the rest, powering his way into the end zone for the score, and Ryan Pimentel's kick gave VC a 27-24 advantage as the third quarter came to a close.
Fullerton missed a 34-yard field goal attempt on their first possession of the final stanza, then the teams traded punts as the final 15 minutes ticked away. With 1:38 remaining, Ventura kicked the ball away and Carter's punt bounced at the Fullerton 1-yard line and went straight up as the Pirates left the Hornets with 99-yards to go for their final chance.
The Hornets drove to the Pirate 30, but their last-chance 47-yard field goal attempt fell well short in the final seconds securing the Ventura triumph.
Irvin was an effective 17-26 through the air for 159 yards. James carried the ball 27 times for his 195 rushing yards and was VC's leading receiver with five catches for 60 yards. Thompson had 17 carries for 65 yards and Carter's eight punts averaged 39.4 yards with three finishing inside the 20-yard line.
James Gillespie led the defense with eight tackles, four solo, while Spencer McKelligon and Ben Hall each recorded seven stops. Poi Aina and Isaiah Garcia each had a quarterback sack in the victory.
James was named the game's Most Valuable Player and Carter earned the Most Outstanding Player award.
Ventura advances to its fourth Southern California title game, the first since they defeated Riverside 31-21 in 2018 to reach the state finals. VC fell to Allan Hancock in the SoCal playoff in 1999 and also were defeated by Riverside back in 1935.
Ventura and Riverside will renew their rivalry in the SCFA Championship Game on Saturday Dec. 2 at the VC Sportsplex with the game time to be determined.