For several years now, the VC-Hancock football game has been decided in dramatic fashion. The 2022 edition of the rivalry lived up to the history as the Pirates scored two touchdowns in the final 2:23 of the game to defeat the Bulldogs 36-31 at the VC Sportsplex Saturday night. Samuel Marquez, the fourth VC quarterback to start a game this season, passed for 365 yards and three touchdowns to lead the effort and JQ Brown rushed for 97 yards and the game-winning score with 25 seconds remaining in the game.
The Bulldogs took the opening kickoff and, employing a run-first offensive philosophy, drove 62 yards in 11 plays before converting a 30-yard field goal for the early lead.
After a three-and-out for Ventura on its first possession, the Pirate defense came up with the first of many big plays, forcing a turnover on Hancock's next possession. On a 3rd-and-5 play, AHC completed a pass for first-down yardage before Joe Hernandez forced a fumble that was recovered by VC's Jaylen Wesley. Ventura took over at their own 41.
After a pair of Brown runs, Marquez completed four straight passes, the final one to Tim Grear for a 26-yard catch and run to paydirt. VC's extra point attempt was blocked, however, and the Pirates led 6-3 with 3:42 remaining in the first quarter.
On AHC's first play from scrimmage on the next possession, VC defensive back Tyrus Malietufa forced and recovered another fumble, giving the Pirates another possession on a short field at the Hancock 23.
On the next play, Marquez lateraled the pass to Chris Reaves, who, in turn, hit Ja'ron Glenn in the back of the end zone for another Ventura touchdown. Rafael Vargas' kick was good for a 13-3 margin.
Hancock was not quite ready for the first quarter scoring to be complete, however, as they found paydirt five plays and 83 yards later on a 59-yard run around the left end. The successful PAT closed the gap[ to 13-10 at the end of the first period.
The Pirates (5-3, 1-2) began to assert control over the game in the second quarter. They drove 69 yards in eight plays on their next possession for a 32-yard Vargas field goal. Then, after the Pirate defense stopped the Bulldogs on 4th-and-1 at the VC 27, the offense responded with another quick touchdown. Brown keyed the drive with a 41-yard run and Marquez and Tim Grear punctuated it with a 30-yard pass, catch and run on the quick strike to the outside. Vargas converted the PAT and Ventura led 23-10 at halftime.
AHC came back in the third quarter, meticulously driving 87 yards in 15 plays, eating nearly 10 minutes of clock, as they scored a touchdown to close to within 23-17. On their next possession, the Bulldogs scored another touchdown to take the lead, 24-23, with 13:56 left in the game.
The Pirates were driving on the next possession before a Marquez pass was intercepted and returned 60 yards by the Bulldogs. Hancock found the end zone six plays later, and went ahead 31-23 with 7:09 remaining in the game.
On the ensuing possession, VC drove 72 yards in 14 plays for another score. The drive was highlighted by 3rd-and-9 and 4th-and-8 plays, both completions from Marquez to Kevin Tate, before Marquez completed an inside shuffle pass to Dawson Adams-Grenier for a 3-yard touchdown play. VC's 2-point conversion failed, however, and they trailed 31-29 with 2:23 on the clock.
With solid defensive play and judicious use of timeouts, the Pirates received a Bulldog punt with a fair catch on their own 24 yard line with 1:59 still remaining. Marquez then masterfully guided Ventura down the field, including a 25-yard completion to Reaves on a 3rd-and-10 play, and a 29-yard completion to Grear to the AHC 10. Brown finished the job on the next play, battling his was across the goal line for the game-winning score. Vargas' kick completed the drive giving the Pirates the 36-31 victory.
Grear led the Pirate receivers with nine catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Tate hauled in seven receptions for 89 yards and Reaves had four catches for 55 yards plus the 23-yard touchdown pass. LJ Harm was solid on special teams with three punts with an average of 47.0 yards. Jalen Cooper led the defensive effort with 18 tackles, including 11 solo stops. Malietufa recorded 13 tackles and Adrian Soracco had 11.
Despite two losses to open the Northern Conference season, the Pirates are still in the thick of the race with two weeks remaining. They will host College of the Canyons on Saturday Nov. 5 before finishing at East Los Angeles on Nov. 12. Canyons, along with Bakersfield and Long Beach are 2-1 in conference play while VC, ELAC and Hancock are all 1-2, setting up an exciting final two-game stretch.