In a season finale that had almost everything, the Ventura College football team captured the Scooter's BBQ Beach Bowl title with a last-minute touchdown, 39-33 over Long Beach Wednesday at the VC Sportsplex. Game MVP Quran Gossett surpassed 1,000 yards for the season by rushing for 175 yards, including the game-winning 12-yard scamper with 35 seconds remaining in the game. VC Player of the Game Ty Ely led the defensive effort with four tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss.
The final game of the 2024 season for both teams included four ties, three lead changes, including two in the final stanza, a fake punt, a blocked punt, a blocked field goal, and limited visibality due to fog through much of the first half. With the victory, Ventura finished the season with an 8-3 record, the seventh 8-win season for the Pirates in the past nine seasons and ninth overall in the 14-year tenure of head coach Steve Mooshagian.
Long Beach dominated time of possession, holding the ball for nearly 40 minutes of the game. They also outgained Ventura 568-408, but the Pirates took advantage of a blocked punt returned for a touchdown and a fumble by the Vikings with 4:08 remaining in the game. Additionally, VC's defense had a late three-and-out stand to set up the game-winning drive.
LBCC took charge early, scoring a touchdown after receiving the opening kick.
Kendric Smith returned the ensuing kickoff a season-best 79-yards to set up the Pirates at the Viking 15 yard line. Two plays later Gossett ran around left end 15 yards to paydirt and Ryan Pimentel kicked the PAT for a 7-7 tie 3:25 into the game.
Both teams drove deep into the opponent's territory late in the first quarter, but neither could convert a fourth down play.
Early in the second quarter, LBCC kicked a 13-yard field goal and VC returned the favor on the ensuing drive with Pimentel's successful 36-yard kick.
The Vikings added another touchdown at the 5:19 mark of the second quarter for a 17-10 lead before Gossett ripped off a 47-yard scoring scamper on the next possession. Pimentel was again good on the PAT with 4:09 remaining in the half.
Long Beach finished the first half with a 45-yard catch and run to the end zone to hold a 24-17 halftime edge.
The fog lifted and the game settled down after intermission with tjhe teams exchanging punts early.
The Pirates were first to light the fireworks in the third quarter when Daiel Duran hit Elijah Davis for a 36-yard scoring strike. Pimentel's kick tied the game at 24.
FB��: TOUCHDOWN @VCPirateFB
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) November 28, 2024
#2 Duran to #17 Davis for the TD
#29 Pimentel's extra point is good.
Pirates tie up the game 24-24
5:29
3Q@vcscolleges @TheAcornSports @scfafootball pic.twitter.com/UXamjcSn9H
VC's defense stepped up after the kickoff to hold Long Beach to a three-and-out. The game then changed when Camren Harris broke through the line and blocked the punt that was returned 13 yards to the end zone by Caleb Alvary. Pimentel's PAT put Ventura ahead 31-24 with 4:15 left to play in the third.
FB��: Blocked punt for a PIRATE TOUCHDOWN ��☠️��
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) November 28, 2024
#30 Eric Rivera with the block and #21 Caleb Alvary with the touchdown.
#29 Pimentel's extra point is good.
Pirates lead 31-24
3:40
3Q@vcscolleges @TheAcornSports @scfafootball pic.twitter.com/tCrNGL9ebg
Long Beach use dthe big play to strike again on the ensuing possession, scoring a touchdown on a 60-yard catch and run. THe PAT failed, however, and Ventrua kept a slim 31-30 advantage headed to the fourth quarter.
A Pirate inteception at the LBCC 35 led to a 70-yard Long Beach drive early in the fourth quarter that resulted in a 27-yard field goal to give the Vikings a 33-31 lead.
The Pirates were unable to move the ball on their next possession, punting the ball away. LBCC then possessed the ball for nearly five minutes before Shahid Wilson forced a Viking fumble that was recovered by Eric Rivera at the Pirates' 19-yard line with 4:13 remaining in the game.
Behind reserve quarterback Travis Endicott, VC quickly moved the ball down the field. Endicott had a strong 16-yard run and Gossett broke free for a 50-yard run to the Vikings' 6-yard line. Unfortunatley, the drive stalled at that point to set up a possible game-winning 22-yard field goal for Pimentel. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Long Beach broke through and blocked the kick, taking possession of the ball at the 2:01 mark holding the slim 33-31 lead.
The Pirate defense came up big again on the next possession, forcing the Vikings to a three-and-out and a punt.
With 1:35 remaining in the game, VC took possession at their own 47-yard line. Endicott connected on passes to Tyler Woodworth for 13 yards, and Jayon Farrar for 18 and 12 yards giving thre Pirates a first down at the Viking 12. After a Long Beach timeout. Gossett raced the final 12 yards around right end for the game-winning score with 35 seconds remaining. Endicott connected with Farrar for the 2-point conversion to set the final margin.
FB��: TOUCHDOWN PIRATES ����☠️
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) November 28, 2024
#10 Gossett runs it in for the touchdown
2 point conversion pass to #1 Farrar is good.
Pirates take the lead 39-33@vcscolleges @TheAcornSports @scfafootball pic.twitter.com/T0hKcUGdfk
Duran finished the game with 135 yards passing and one touchdown and Endicott was 3-5 late for 43 yards. Elijah Davis led eight different VC receivers with five catches for 53 yards and Farrar had three receptions for 45 yards, plus the final 2-point conversion.
Ty Morris, Zane Carter, Tyrus Malietufa and Spencer McKelligon led the defensive effort with six tackles each.
Ty Ely (left) was named theScooters BBQ Beach Bowl VC Player of the Game and Quran Gossett (right) was named the Player of the Game.
The Pirates celebrate their Scooter's BBQ Beach Bowl Championship with VC president Dr. Dr. Claudia Lourido-Habib (front).