The Pirate football team, ranked No.1 in Southern California and No. 2 in the state, overcame the turnover bug and staged a dramatic fourth quarter comeback Saturday in Santa Maria, defeating Allan Hancock College 35-34 to remain undefeated on the season. VC trailed 34-21 after the first play of the final period before scoring two touchdowns to claim victory from the jaws of defeat. Julian Kelly totaled 114 yards rushing, including a 27 yard game-winning scamper with 5:03 remaining in the game.
With a possible SoCal No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown with College of the Canyons looming in a week for the Pirates, the stage was set for a classic trap game, and the trouble started early. After a 20-yard run by Kelly and a 49-yard pass from Jordan Pachot to Gaven Brasker to open the game, the Pirates were set up for a quick score on the AHC 6-yard line. One play later, a Pirate fumble and a 94-yard fumble return by the Bulldogs made the score 7-0 for Allan Hancock.
The Pirates appeared to recover from the early blunder, scoring touchdowns on their next two possessions, a 43-yard pass from wide receiver Terrell Vaughn to Levante Boyd and a 1-yard run to paydirt by Alex Tili. Two successful extra points by Alberto Arroyo put VC ahead 14-6 with 6:19 still remaining in the first quarter.
Pachot to Vaughn to Boyd for 6….PAT is good…@VCPirateFB 7 - @AHCbulldogs 7 with 10:49 left in 1Q @vcscolleges pic.twitter.com/QUfaVznbrJ
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) October 30, 2021
The Bulldogs, ranked No. 14 in the latest state poll, had an answer, however. Using their old-school, two-tight end, I-formation rushing attack, Hancock marched down the field 43 yards in 10 plays, culminating in a 42-yard field goal to make it 14-10 at the quarter break.
On the ensuing drive, Ventura continued to move the ball. Pachot completed a 45-yard pass to Brasker and an 18-yard strike to Vaughn to set up Jesse Valenzuela's 7-yard touchdown run. Arroyo's kick made it 21-10 with 14:31 remaining until halftime.
Jesse Valenzuela 6 yd TD run…PAT is good. @VCPirateFB 21 - @AHCbulldogs 10 with 14:31 left in 1H @vcscolleges pic.twitter.com/VrzsQTUUYq
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) October 30, 2021
The Pirates were in Santa Maria, however, and their last four trips there had resulted in one possession games late, including a pair of 29-28 Ventura wins in 2018 and 2011, respectively. The Bulldogs were determined to make this one close, as well, as they reeled off 24 straight points through the first play of the fourth quarter to take a 34-21 lead with 14:47 left to play.
VC had a pair of interceptions during that span that led to another Hancock field goal, and VC was also stopped on 4th-and-1 at the AHC 14-yard line late in the third quarter. The turnover on downs led the the Bulldogs' 79-yard touchdown run on the first play of the final period to create the 13-point deficit.
With their backs against the wall, Ventura responded quickly, marching 79 yards in nine plays for a touchdown. Pachot had passes of 32 yards to Brasker and 15 yards to Vaughn to set up his 20-yard scoring strike to Chris Atkins with 12:27 still remaining on the clock. Arroyo's kick brought the Pirates back to within 34-28.
On the ensuing possession, Hancock used 5:03 off the clock, but were only able to cover 20 yards in 10 plays. The Pirate defense held, forcing a 56-yard field goal into the wind by the Bulldogs. The kick fell short and was returned by Cam Williams back to midfield, setting up VC for their game winning drive with 6:49 on the clock.
It did not take the Pirates long to score. Kelly had rushes of eight and 12 yards, respectively, until he broke a trap play up the middle 27 yards to paydirt. Arroyo hit his fifth PAT of the game to give Ventura the lead with 5:03 left in the game.
With time on the clock, it was once again up to the VC defense to close the game out. Hancock's rushing attack earned a pair of first downs, but the drive, which lasted 10 plays but covered just 19 yards, stalled out after three incomplete passes turning the ball back to Ventura on downs.
One snap in victory formation later, the Pirates left Santa Maria with another one point victory, 35-34.
Victory Formation and @VCPirateFB survives winning 35-34 @AHCbulldogs @vcscolleges @scfafootball @TheAcornSports pic.twitter.com/4nel0hXlu6
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) October 30, 2021
Pachot was 14-21 in the air for 284 yards and a touchdown. Vaughn led the way with five pass receptions for 102 yards and Brasker had four catches for 126 yards.
Travis Calloway led the defense with 12 tackles and Drew Carter recorded 10 stops. Cam Williams and Joe Hernandez each had seven tackles.
The Pirates (8-0, 3-0) travel to College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita on Saturday Nov. 6. The Cougars, who also entered Saturday's play at 7-0 and ranked No. 4 in the state and No. 2 in SoCal, fell to East Los Angeles 10-7 but remain a dangerous opponent for VC. Kickoff with the Cougars is scheduled for 6:00 pm.