Dominated by the host Ventura Pirates, Moorpark lost the battle for the Citrus cup, 54-21.
The Moorpark Raiders clashed with division rival Ventura Pirates. Ventura College Stadium was packed to the brim Saturday, when the Raiders and Pirates met for the coin flip.
Moorpark won the coin toss, and elected to receive. Runningback Kyle Jean took the ball in the end zone, and provided the Raiders with their first burst of energy, returning the opening kick for 23 yards.
After being sacked on the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Nick Davis attempted two straight passes, both falling incomplete. The Raiders’ first offensive drive lasted a total of 45 seconds, before kicker Kevin McLemore attempted his first punt.
Ventura freshman quarterback Brad Odeman recorded seven passes, all resulting in first downs. Two minutes and four plays later, Odeman found his receiver McDaniel in the end zone on a hitch route for 12 yards. Ventura put the first points on the board and led the Raiders by a touchdown, after failing a two point conversion.
On Moorpark’s second drive, quarterback Nick Davis broke off an eight yard run up the middle for the first down. Two plays later, Davis overthrew his receiver Iheyeani Obinna, and was intercepted by corner D.J. Edwards on the 25 yard line.
The Raiders answered with an interception of their own by safety Demetrius Wilson.
Following the interception, Raiders’ running back Greg Morton broke through with a 10 yard gain for the initial first down. Ventura’s defense held and forced another punt.
On the ensuing Ventura was lined up at the 40 yard line with 2nd and 11. Hoping to move the chains, running back Aaron Stanton broke off to the 25 yard line, where he cartwheeled over a defender to take the ball to the end-zone for Ventura’s second touchdown. The Pirates increased their lead to 13, with 3:13 left in the first.
Raider runningback Greg Morton ran for 6, 11, and 9 yards respectfully, and drew a facemask penalty which put the Raiders on the opposing 21 yard line. On the next play, Davis threw another interception, which was returned 80 yards and resulted in a touchdown, until the referees waved off the score due to a penalty.
At the end of the first quarter, Ventura led Moorpark, 13-0.
At the beginning of the second quarter, Davis capitalized and found running back Kyle Jean for an 11 yard pass. After driving down the field and coming up short to the one yard line, Davis dove over his center, recorded a touchdown, putting Moorpark’s first 6 points on the board. Raider kicker Chris Taylor made the extra point, but took a helmet to the shin on the attempt.
On the second down of Pirate’s drive, quarterback Brent Odeman found receiver Kevon Mitchell twice, totaling 38 yards, and put Ventura into Raider territory, followed by an additional 13 yards on a quarterback sneak. Runningback Paul Harris countered to the left, and ran into the end zone for 10 yards. Ventura pushed their lead to 20-7 following the extra point attempt.
Raider Nick Davis found receiver Raymond Bolden on the sideline after a 36 yard play action pass. Bolden took the ball out on the Pirate 30. After three plays for no gain the Raiders sent out kicker Chris Taylor for the field goal. Taylor missed the goal posts wide right, and limped off the field as it was apparent he was injured on the previous kick.
Ventura quarterback Odeman threw two unanswered touchdowns on consecutive drives to his receiver McDaniel for 35 and 37 yards respectively. The Pirates outscored the Raiders and ended the half 34-7.
At the start of the second half, the Pirates returned the kickoff to open the 2nd half, and started their drive at the 25 yard line.
For the first time in the game, the Raiders defense held Ventura to 3 and out, and got the ball back.
On 4th and 1, Nick Davis converted the fourth down with a run up the middle. Three plays later, Davis d the ball down-field 37 yards and found Bolden in the end zone. After the successful extra point, the Raiders decreased the lead to 34-14, with 9:42 in the 3rd.
There was visual frustration on the sideline, as players seemed to give up. Quarterback Max Leffler offered his take on the team’s frustration.
“We have all the keys to win this game, our defense is awesome,” explained Leffler. “We could win this if we don’t get frustrated.”
Unfortunately, the Raiders could not erase the point deficit. The Pirates scored three consecutive touchdowns to end the third and fourth quarters. Moorpark answered late with four minutes left after Kyle Jean broke off a 54 yard touchdown run.
Ventura College won the Citrus cup for the 7th consecutive time, after they sent the Raiders home packing with a final score of 54-21.
MC Head coach Will Thurston was asked about what went wrong after his team was routed by the Pirates.
“We gave up a lot of third and short plays on defense,” said Thurston. “And then our corners were burned by those receivers big time, we couldn’t stop them.”
Pirate quarterback Odeman threw a record setting 496 passing yards, and was named player of the game.
Following the win, Ventura took first place in the southern division, after improving to (4-1). Moorpark fell to (2-3) and will host the Pierce College Brahmas at home, Sat. October 12, at 6 p.m.
