The Pirates seemingly had assumed control of the game midway through the third quarter, but a controversial fumble shifted momentum, allowing Golden West to come from behind to defeat Ventura 32-20 Saturday night at the VC Sportsplex. VC led 20-12 when the game turned as they fell to 3-3 on the season with the non-conference loss.
It was a first quarter of missed opportunities for the Pirates. They took the opening drive into Rustler territory, but were turned back on a fourth-and-four play at the GWC 39-yard line. Jalen Oats intercepted a Golden West pass on the next possession, but the Pirate offense was forced to punt after a three-and-out.
Golden West took the ensuing drive to the Pirate nine-yard line before the VC defense held, forcing a Rustler field goal with 3:58 remaining in the period, taking a 3-0 lead.
The Pirates gave away another two points early in the second. Isiah Jackson was in his own end zone to punt, when he went to a knee to field a poor snap from center. The resulting safety put Ventura on the short end of a 5-0 score with 11:19 left in the first half.
The Pirate offense found some rhythm on their next possession, driving 68 yards in nine plays, aided by a pair of 15-yard Rustler penalties. Quarterback Marc Evans capped the drive with a one-yard sneak into the end zone and Jake Lanski's kick made it 7-5 for VC with 5:17 on the clock.
Ventura dove 51 yards in 10 plays on their final possession before halftime to set up a 20-yard Lanski field goal to go into halftime up 10-5.
The teams traded punts to begin the third stanza before the Rustlers hit the big play, a 65-yard pass and run to take a 12-7 advantage at the 10:18 mark.
Paul Harris made it a short-lived led for Golden West, returning the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to paydirt. Lanski's kick reestablished the five-point margin, 17-12.
Lanski kicked his second field goal of the night with 3:55 left in the third, this one from 28 yards to punctuate an 11-play 64-yard drive by the Pirate offensive unit.
Oats had his second pick on the night three plays later, giving VC the ball and the momentum late in the third period.
Running back Aaron Stanton had rushes of eight and 13 yards on the next two plays, but at the end of the latter, he appeared to be down before fumbling the football. One official ruled Stanton down, but after a conference, the officials rules the play a fumble. Golden West recovered the ball, taking possession and momentum away from the Pirates.
The Rustlers turned the turnover into six points, and the extra point pulled them to within 20-19 at the end of the third quarter.
After a quick three-and-out by VC, Golden West struck with the big play again, this time a 578-yard touchdown pass and run to take a 25-20 advantage with 13:37 remaining in the game.
The Rustler defense forced another quick VC punt, and their offense continued momentum with another quick score, making it 32-20 at the 10:18 mark.
The Pirates continued the fight, however, marching to the Rustler 10-yard line, aided by a 32-yard Evans scramble and pass to Aaron Lacombe. That's where the drive stalled, however, and GWC took over on downs.
The Rustlers marched down the field, eating up clock as well as yardage, before giving up the ball on downs at the 3:29 point in the game. VC was unable to collect a first down in four plays, and Golden West was able to run out the clock for the win.
Stanton led the Pirates with 123 yards rushing on 26 carries. Evans was 24-46 in the air for 218 yards. Elijah Henderson and Juan Soto each had four catches for 46 and 42 yards, respectively.
Defensively, Tanner Geiger had nine tackles and a forced fumble. Jackson and Matt Singleton each had eight stops.
Ventura resumes SCFA Northern Conference play next week, October 18, at Pasadena City College. The contest with the Lancers kicks off at 6:00 pm.