FOOTBALL: Eight months after closing the most successful season in school history, the Pirate football team took to the field for an encore Saturday night at Riverside. Despite jumping out to a 28-10 lead with 11 minutes remaining in the first half, VC could not hold back the Tigers, eventually falling by a 59-41 score. Sophomore Brad Odeman completed 27-46 passes for 246 yards and five touchdowns, but Ventura (0-1) could not stop Riverside, especially in the second half, as RCC racked up 812 net yards on offense in the contest.
The Pirates got on the board first as Odeman hit Riley Smith for a 27-yard scoring strike less than five minutes into the contest. Kevin Kircher's extra point made it 7-0 for Ventura. Riverside evened the score on a 68-yard touchdown pass less than a minute latyer, but Odeman led an answer, hitting paydirt on a 9-yard pass to Kurt McCormack.
Following a Tiger field goal, the Pirates scored on successive possessions, first on a 13-yard strike from Odeman to Dylan McDaniel, followed by another Odeman to McDaniel strike, this time from 19 yards out. VC had a 28-10 advantage with 11:00 on the clock.
Riverside scored another touchdown before halftime, and had three straight scores to begin the third stanza to take a 38-28 lead midway through the period. Another RCC touchdown late in the quarter was answered by the Pirates' Odeman to Brando Stedfelt 11-yard touchdown pass, but VC trailed 45-35 entering the final period.
The Tigers scored early and late to salt the game away before Aaron Stanton returned a kickoff 99 yards for Ventura's final touchdown with 6:12 left in the game.
McDaniel led the Pirate receiving corps with six catches for 56 yards and a pair of scores and Smith had four receptions for 50 yards and a score. 11 Pirates recorded a pass reception on the evening.
VC opens its home schedule Saturday Sept. 14 against Long Beach City College at the VC Sportsplex. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm and the game can be seen live online at www.socalcollegesports.com.