2023 Ventura College Football Team News
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VC Athletics 13th in California in NATYCAA Cup
August 12, 2024The Ventura College Athletic Department claimed its 14th Top-13 finish in 19 years, placing 13th in California in the 2023-24 all-sports National Association of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) Cup standings. Pirate Athletics totaled 106 points overall, besting its 105.5 points earned in 2022-23 that placed 12th. Ventura was also 17th for the second straight year in the Daktronics Cup Standings with two-years schools from California, Oregon and Washington. -
VC Lists 70 transfers to 4-Year Schools
August 01, 2024The Ventura College Athletic Department is proud to announce the transfer of 71 student athletes to four-year schools following their time with the Pirates. 48 of those transfers plan to continue their sport with 34 earning athletic scholarships. The VC class of 2024 will transfer to 48 different schools in 19 different states across the country. Additionally, 17 of the Pirate alumni have earned academic scholarships at their new schools.
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Pirate Football Transfers 21 from 2023 SCFA Finalists
July 22, 2024Ventura College football coach Steve Mooshagian has announced 21 transfers from the 2023 SCFA Finalist Pirate football team, four of whom were mid-year transfers. Among the transfers and signees, 12 are moving on to NCAA Division I and four to NCAA Division II. With the addition of these transfers, Mooshagian and his coaching staff have now helped 303 student athletes move on to the four-year level in his 13 years leading the Pirates.
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Mooshagian to be Inducted to CCCFCA Hall of Fame
March 06, 2024Ventura College head football coach Steve Mooshagian is set to be inducted into the California Community College Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame at a banquet on Saturday March 9 in Visalia. Through 13 seasons at the helm of the Pirates, Mooshagian is the winningest coach in program history with an overall record of 101-40 with nine Southern California Football Association Northern Conference titles and the 2018 SCFA title. Mooshagian has been a part of California community college football since he played at Cerritos College in 1977.
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VC Alumnus Watson Has Big Fumble Recovery in Super Bowl
February 12, 2024A former Ventura College alumnus had a huge play during Super Bowl LVIII Sunday. Jaylen Watson '18, a former VC All-American defensive back who now plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, came up with one of the biggest plays in the Super Bowl, recovering a San Francisco 49ers fumble that led to a go-ahead score for Kansas City late in the third quarter.
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Lemus, Gillespie Named All-American for 2023 Season
December 18, 2023VC football offensive tackle Jakob Lemus and defensive end James Gillespie both were named first team All-American by the California Community College Football Coaches Association for their play during the 2023 season. Lemus, a first team All-Northern Conference selection and Gillespie, the Northern Conference Defensive Player of the Year also headlined the Region III All-California first team selections by the CCCFCA.
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Gillespie, James and Lemus Lead VC's All-SCFA Selections
December 11, 2023VC defensive tackle James Gillespie, along with running back Lamonte James and offensive lineman Jakob Lemus were all unanimous selections to the Southern California Football Association first team All-Northern Conference teams in a vote by conference coaches. Tight end Cody Hoffman and running back Jaylen Thompson also earned first team honors on offense while safety Zane Carter was named first team all-conference on defense.
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Ventura Falls in Southern California Final
December 02, 2023Another stellar season came to a familiar end for the Pirates football team as Ventura dropped a 45-26 decision to Riverside in the Southern California Football Association championship game Saturday at the VC Sportsplex. Quarterback Chris Irvin passed for 327 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Eli Aragon, who totaled 116 yards on 14 catches in the game. Meanwhile, the Pirates' running game was held in check by the Tigers, who ended VC's season for the third straight year and the for the fourth time since 2014.
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Pirates Run Past Fullerton into SCFA Final
November 25, 2023After a slow start, the Ventura College football team outscored previously undefeated Fullerton 27-14 over the final three quarters Saturday afternoon as the No. 3-seeded Pirates defeated No. 2 Fullerton 27-24 to advance to the Southern California Football Association championship game. Lamonte James had 255 yards from scrimmage, including 195 yards rushing with a pair of touchdowns, and Zane Carter ran an interception back for a touchdown in addition to a strong performance as VC's punter to lead the way.
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Pirate Football Back in SCFA Playoffs
November 16, 2023For the third straight season, and the six th time in seven seasons, the Ventura College football team have qualified for the Southern California Football Association Final Four Playoffs. VC (7-3), the No. 3-seed as the champions of the Northern Conference, will travel to No. 2 Fullerton (10-0), winner of the Southern Conference for a noon kickoff on Saturday Nov. 25. In the other semifinal, No. 1 Mt. San Antonio (10-0) hosts No. 4 Riverside (9-1) at 6:00 pm.
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Pirate Football Falls in Trap Game at Canyons
November 11, 2023Having already clinched a share of the Northern Conference title and secured a Southern California Football Association playoff berth, the Ventura College football team had a trap game at College of the Canyons Saturday. The Pirates fell into the trap, falling in a 21-19 decision to the Cougars, who were playing to secure a post-season bowl berth. VC's dynamic running back duo of Jaylen Thompson and Lamonte James combined for 240 yards rushing and all three touchdowns in the setback.
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VC Claims Conference Crown With Comeback
November 04, 2023With the Northern Conference title on the line, the Pirate football team came from behind to defeat El Camino 21-20 Saturday night at the VC Sportsplex. Ventura quarterback Chris Irvin completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Woodworth with 1:14 remaining in the game, and Ryan Pimentel provided the extra point for the winning margin against the Warriors. The win coupled with Canyons' loss at Bakersfield secured the conference crown and a playoff berth for VC with one game remaining in the regular season.
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James, Thompson Lead Pirates Past Renegades
October 28, 2023Pirate football's backfield duo of Lamonte James and Jaylen Thompson combined for 267 rushing yards and two touchdowns along with another 64 yards receiving, and quarterback Chris Irvin passed for one score and ran for two more as Ventura defeated Bakersfield 38-20 Saturday night at the VC Sportsplex. James ran for 167 yards and Thompson added another 103 as Ventura (6-2, 5-0) continued its unbeaten mark in Northern Conference play. Zan Carter had 11 tackles defensively to lead the Pirate defense.
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VC Runs Past Antelope Valley to Top of Northern Conference
October 21, 2023The Ventura College football team scored four rushing touchdowns while amassing 223 yards on the ground Saturday to defeat Antelope Valley 35-16 in Lancaster. Jaylen Thompson ran for 108 yards and a score while Lamonte James recorded 65 rushing yards on 13 carries in the Pirate victory. The VC win, along with a loss by Canyons, left Ventura (5-2, 4-0), ranked No. 10/11 in the state, alone atop the Northern Conference standings with three games remaining.
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Pirates Retain Citrus Cup in Spirited Battle at Moorpark
October 12, 2023In a spirited contest that was more competitive than in recent years, the Pirate football team retained the Citrus Cup for the 15th straight season with a 52-35 win over Moorpark at Griffin Stadium Thursday night. VC scored 14 points in the first five minutes of the game and never trailed in their 34th win in the 55-game history of the Ventura County rivalry. Lamonte James and Jaylen Thompson each racked up over 100 yards rushing and Chris Irvin passed for 285 yards to lead Ventura (4-2, 3-0).
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The Big Game is a Big Win for Pirates
September 30, 2023The 52nd edition of the Big Game turned out to be a big win for the state No. 18-ranked Pirate football team Saturday night. VC rang up 56 points on overmatched Santa Barbara for a 56-25 triumph to retain the traveling trophy for the eighth consecutive game and the 17th time in the last 18 meetings in the series that dates back to 1963. Spencer McKelligon led a strong defensive effort with 10 tackles, four solo, and quarterback Chris Irvin had his second straight 300-yard passing game for Ventura (3-2, 2-0).
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Pirates Outlast Bulldogs For Northern Conference Win
September 23, 2023Historically, it's almost never an easy game for the Pirate football team against Allan Hancock and Saturday was no different as Ventura outlasted the Bulldogs to claim a 32-28 win on the Northern Conference opener Saturday in Santa Maria. Chris Irvin had a solid day at quarterback with 307 passing yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner to Eli Aragon with 4:26 remaining in the game. Lamonte James rushed for 120 yards and Aragon caught nine passes for 137 yards and two scores.
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Ventura Falls Short in 4th Quarter Shootout
September 16, 2023For the first 40 minutes of play Saturday, the Pirate football team was locked into a low-scoring battle with Cerritos. VC's touchdown with 4:03 remaining in the third quarter opened the floodgates, however, and the teams combined for six touchdowns and six lead changes in the final 20 minutes of Ventura's 35-31 setback to the Falcons. Eli Aragon had 184 receiveing yards on nine catches and Jaylen Thompson rushed for 97 yards on 11 carries in the game. Zane Carter led the defense with 10 tackles, seven solo.
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Pirate Football Falls in Home Opener
September 09, 2023The VC football team had its hands full Saturday in their 65-24 setback to Mt. San Antonio in the Pirates' 2023 home opener at the Sportsplex. Daniel Duran passed for 149 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Jaylen Thompson had 112 yards of total offense, 77 rushing to lead the Ventura effort against the No. 4/3-raniked Mounties. Tyrus Malietufa led defense for VC, ranked No. 9/6, with eight tackles, two solo.
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Pirates Come From Behind on the Road in Opener
September 02, 2023The VC football team came from behind in their 2023 season opener, defeating Saddleback 35-30 in Mission Viejo Saturday. The Pirates (1-0) trailed 20-9 late in the first half before outscoring the Bobcats 26-10 the rest of the way for the victory. Lamont James had 111 yards rushing with a touchdown while Daniel Duran threw for 195 yards and another score to lead Ventura. Tyrus Malietufa recorded nine tackles and an interception and Poi Aina picked up a pair of quarterback sacks defensively for VC.
