In the 49th edition of the Citrus Cup game, the Pirate football team used a big second quarter to take control en route to a 42-28 victory over Moorpark College at the VC Sportsplex Saturday night. Quarterback Jake Luton passed for 394 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score, and running back Isaiah Brown found paydirt twice while rushing for 100 yards to lead Ventura (6-2, 3-0) to its ninth straight win in the storied rivalry.
The Pirates got off to a fast start, taking the opening drive 74 yards in 11 plays, culminating in Luton's 35-yard touchdown pass to Cam Taylor. Collin Root's extra point made it 7-0 for VC with 11:36 left in the first quarter.
Late in the period, Luton had a pass intercepted that led to Moorpark's first score of the game. The teams were tied 7-7 at the end of the first period.
As it would do all night, the Ventura offense had an answer for the Raiders, marching 65 yards in 14 plays to paydirt. Brown capped the drive with a 1-yard run on a fourth-and-goal play for the touchdown, and Root's PAT made the score 14-7.
The VC defense held Moorpark to a three-and-out on the ensuing drive, but a muffed punt by Ventura gave the Raiders new life. They capitalized with another touchdown, knotting the score at 14-14 with 12:59 remaining in the first half.
Ventura turned to the big play to take control of the game late in the second quarter. Luton hit Brian Burt for a 60-yard touchdown pass and run with 5:57 on the clock to take a 21-14 advantage. On the next Pirate possession, Luton took matters into his own hands, or feet, rushing for a 15-yard touchdown run two minutes later. VC held a 28-14 lead at intermission.
The Raiders kept things interesting in the second half. they took the opening kick 73 yards in 12 plays for a touchdown to pull to within seven, 28-21.
Two possessions later, the Pirate defense stopped the Raiders at midfield on a fourth-down play, setting up a 7-play, 51-yard drive punctuated by Brown's 9-yard touchdown run. Root added the kick to give VC a two touchdown cushion, once again.
Early in the fourth quarter, VC had a drive that could have put he game on ice, a missed 33-yard field goal gave Moorpark new life, and they took advantage. The Raiders drove 80 yards down the field, finding the end zone to cut the Ventura lead back to seven, 35-28, with 8:20 left in the contest. It was the first time since 2011 that MC had been within reach in the final period in the Citrus Cup game.
As it had all night, and all season, the Pirate offense responded to the challenge. Two Brown rushes, and two Luton pass completions later, Ventura found paydirt on a 5-play, 65-yard drive. Luton completed a 32-yard scoring strike to Kendric Mallory to punctuate the drive and the victory, and Root's extra point set the final 42-287 margin.
Luton completed 27 of 48 passes on the night, and Brown took just 16 carries to reach the century mark. Luton also had 65 yards on the ground with a touchdown, and Noah Siegrist rushed for 29 yards.
Luton completed passes to 10 different receivers, with Elijah Alexander leading the way with six catches for 103 yards. Taylor had five receptions for 68 yards and a score.
In the game, Ventura outgained Moorpark 587-332, but four VC turnovers helped keep the Raiders within striking distance for the duration.
Mark Zavala led the defense with 14 tackles and Kendrick Bradley had 11 stops.
The win gives the Pirates a 28-21 lead in the Citrus Cup series, as they have won nine straight outings against the Raiders. VC is now bowl eligible with six wins on the year for the sixth straight year under head coach Steve Mooshagian. VC will go bowling for the eight time in the past decade.
With that being said, the Pirates still have business to attend to. They finish the season on the road at Bakersfield on Saturday Nov. 6 and at Cerritos Nov. 13. VC can clinch at least a share of its third straight Northern Conference championship with a win against the Renegades. Kickoff in Bakersfield is set for 1:00 pm. Fans who cannot make the trip can see the game live on the VC Sports Network.
