The Pirate football team ran into tough opposition Saturday, falling 27-3 to No. 2 Mt. San Antonio College in their 2014 home opener at the VC Sportsplex. Although the VC offense was able to move the ball against the Mounties, they had trouble protecting the quarterback as Mt. SAC recorded 12 sacks on the evening.
The Mounties wasted no time, taking the opening drive 56 yards in seven plays for a touchdown and a seven point lead. The Pirates came right back, however, taking advantage of a short kickoff and driving to the Mountie 21 yard line. Quarterback Jalen Brady completed a pass to Aaron Stanton to the Mt. SAC 10, but a penalty brought the play back and the drive stalled. A 45-yard field goal attempt was blocked, ending the VC threat.
Mike Cirino intercepted a Mt. San Antonio pass three plays later, setting up Ventura inside Mt. SAC territory, but VC could not capitalize and was forced to punt. Late in the first quarter, the Mounties won the field position battle, taking an interception at the VC 36, punching in another touchdown with 3:02 left in the period.
Early in the second, the Pirates took a punt at midfield and drove as far as the 2-yard line before settling for a 28-yard Jake Lanski field goal to get on the board. Mt. San Antonio took the next drive to the end zone to take a 21-3 advantage into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Pirates had their chances to get back into the game. They took the kickoff to the visitors' 35-yard line before missing a 52-yard field goal, then marched to the Mt. SAC 10-yard line on their next possession, an 11-play 89-yard drive, but were stopped on fourth down with an incomplete pass. Mt. San Antonio marched back down the field, ending their drive with a 37-yard field goal to take a 24-3 lead at the end of the period.
The Pirate defense held the Mounties to just a field goal in the fourth quarter, but the offense was unable to punch in a score, setting the final score at 27-3.
Statistically, VC held their own against one of the top programs in the state, posting 20 first downs to Mt. SAC's 21. The Mounties outgained the Pirates 461-262, however, on the strength of 12 quarterback sacks pushing the Pirates back 97 yards.
Brady was 14-33 passing for 161 yards and one interception and rushed for a net of 39 yards on 29 carries. The latter included 97 yards in sack losses, however, resulting in 136 yards on 17 carries rushing the football. Stanton rushed for 48 yards on 14 carries and led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 112 yards.
Kaylan Striggles led the defense with seven tackles and Matt Singleton had five stops, including two for a loss and an interception.
The Pirates begin SCFA Northern Conference play on Saturday Sept. 27 at Cerritos College before returning home on Saturday Oct. 4 in the Citrus Cup match-up against Moorpark.