VC quarterback Daniel Duran passed for 368 yards and four touchdowns and Silas Kemp grabbed five receptions for 151 yards to lead the Pirates to a 39-31 victory at Cerritos Saturday night. The Pirates scored 22 points in the third quarter to turn a 19-14 deficit into the road triumph. Quran Gossett rushed for 65 yards and Jake Murphy had 32 hard fought yards and a touchdown while Ryan Pimentel was a perfect 3-3 on PAT's and 2-2 on field goals. Zane Carter had eight tackles to lead the defense while Brayden Beck and Ty Ely each had seven stops, the latter with 3.5 tackles for a loss.
The Falcons got on the board first with a touchdown less than six minutes into the game.
Ventura (2-1) returned the favor quickly on a 44-yard kick return by Jayon Farrar and a 52-yard scoring strike from Duran to Tanner Crandall 40 seconds later. Pimentel's kick knotted the score at 7-7.
Cerritos found the end zone on the next possession, but the PAT attempts was blocked to limit the deficit to 13-7.
Farrar had another solid return on the ensuing kickoff, getting the Pirates to their own 30 to begin the next drive. six plays and 70 yards later, Murphy turned in a 15-yard scamper to paydirt. Pimentel's kick gave the Pirates the 14-13 lead at the end of the period.
Cerritos added another touchdown in the second quarter with an unsuccessful 2-point try to hold a 19-14 lead at intermission.
The Pirates forced a three-and-out by the Falcons to start the second half, then drove 66 yards in seven plays for another score, an 11-yard pass from Duran to Gossett. The two-point try was unsuccessful leaving the Pirate edge at 20-19.
Pimentel added a 29-yard field goal to pad the lead and Duran hit Kemp for an 11-yard scoring strike for a 30-19 advantage with 3:36 remaining in the third quarter.
The big play struck soon thereafter as Cerritos scored on the next snap from scrimmage on a 69-yard touchdown pass.
Ventura quickly returned the favor, however, as Duran hit Kemp on a 78-yard pass and run three plays into the next drive. Pimentel's kick reestablished the 11-point margin, 36-25, with 2:18 on the clock.
Pimentel hit a 22-yard field goal with 5:21 remaining in the game making the Falcon's late touchdown inconsequential in the 39-32 decision.
Duran was 20-31 passing for his 368 yards, including completions to 11 different receivers. Crandall had a big night on the receiving end with five catches for 118 yards and a score. Jerry Martin added 40 yards rushing on six carries.
Shahid Wilson recorded six tackles on the night, four solo, and Ty Morris had five stops defensively.
Ventura begins Northern Conference play next time out, hosting Allan Hancock College on Saturday Sept. 28 at the VC Sportsplex.