FOOTBALL: On the Pirates' first play from scrimmage, freshman running back Aaron Stanton raced 85 yards for a touchdown. Ventura never looked back, led by Stanton's 238 rushing yards and two touchdowns in their 28-20 SCFA Northern Conference contest over Allan Hancock College at the Sportsplex Saturday night. Quarterback Brad Odeman threw for 198 yards and a score as the Pirates (5-4, 3-2) ended a three-game skid and put their focus back squarely on qualifying for their third straight post-season bowl berth.
Stanton, who prepped at Moorpark High School, opened the first half scoring, and Odeman closed the first half scoring. With 1:37 remaining in the second quarter he hit Tajon Mondy for a 27-yard touchdown pass. Alex Nelson's second extra point conversion of the evening gave the Pirates a 14-0 lead at intermission.
Ventura took firm control of the contest early in the third quarter when Montre Lee scored a touchdown on a 7-yard run with 12:36 remaining i the third quarter. However, Hancock was not going to go down without a fight. The Bulldogs scored touchdowns with 6:50 left in the third quarter, and 13:49 remaining in the fourth, respectively, to close to within 21-12, but Patrick Hall's block of the first extra point, and a failed two-point conversion after the second touchdown kept AHC down two scores.
With the Bulldogs closing in, the Pirates returned to a steady dose of Stanton running on their next drive. The freshman carried the ball on 12 of the 14 plays on the drive, capping it off with a 12-yard scamper to paydirt. The drive covered 90 yards and used up 5:35 of the clock, all-but putting the game away for VC.
Hancock managed a touchdown i the final minute and converted the two-point conversion, but their onsides kick attempt failed, ending the game in a 28-20 Ventura victory.
Dylan McDaniel led the Pirate receiving corps with nine catches for 83 yards. Defensively, Antonio Cowart and Matt SIngleton each recorded 10 tackles.
The Pirates complete the regular-season on the road at Pasadena on Saturday Nov. 9. With a win, VC will qualify for its third-straight post-season bowl berth on Saturday Nov. 23. The game Saturday can be seen live on www.socalcollegesports.com.