Ventura College quiets Moorpark College comeback to win Citrus Cup for 15th straight time

A quick start didn’t mean quick work for the Ventura College football team.

But the Pirates were able to quiet the record-setting comeback of host Moorpark College and retain the Citrus Cup on Thursday night at Griffin Stadium.

Quarterback Chris Irvin threw for three touchdowns and running backs Lamonte James and Jaylen Thompson both ran for more than 130 yards and scores as VC held off MC, 52-35, to prevail in Ventura County’s 55-year-old rivalry game for the 15th straight season.

“I think we got cute,” Ventura coach Steve Mooshagian said. “We had a chance to put the thing away and didn’t.”

With the midweek win off its bye week, No. 7-ranked VC (4-2) improved to 3-0 in the SCFA Northern Conference. It shares first place with co-leader College of the Canyons (4-2, 3-0).

“It’s tough playing on Thursday,” Mooshagian said. “This was a tough game because it’s at a weird point of the schedule.”

MC (2-4) dropped to 0-3 in conference play, despite the heroics of quarterback Macloud Crowton, who threw for a school-record 466 yards and four TDs.

Crowton had previously broke Ian Shultis’ 14-year-old school record by throwing for 439 yards in the season-opening loss to Santa Ana.

The mark also broke the Citrus Cup record for passing yards, previously held by Ty Gangi, who threw for 452 yards in VC’s win in 2015.

The sophomore from Pine View High in St. George, Utah, who leads the Southern California Football Association in passing, completed 37 of 57 passes for 466 yards, four TDs and two interceptions.

Sophomore Noah Cronquist (Moorpark High) caught 10 passes for 143 yards and three TDs and also had 152 return yards for the Raiders. Freshman Charlie Simmons (Newbury Park High) caught 10 passes for 160 yards and also ran for 34 yards.

Irvin completed 22 of 31 passes for 285 yards, three TDs and an interception. Sophomore Cody Hoffman (St. Bonaventure High), freshman Eli Aragon (Oxnard High) and freshman Drew Lopez (Hueneme High) caught TD passes for VC.

Safety Zane Carter (Buena High) led the VC defense with a team-high eight tackles, including a tackle for a loss, an interception and two pass breakups. Cornerback Jaylan Wesley recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass.

VC scored twice in the first five minutes and never trailed.

Irvin’s 7-yard TD pass to Lopez and 4-yard TD pass to Aragon, combined with a 60-yard fumble return for a TD by Wesley, helped the Pirates take a 21-3 lead in the second quarter.

But MC battled back, pulling within 24-17 at the half on Crowton’s 2-yard TD pass to River Stout and 56-yard TD strike to Cronquist with 3:07 left in the second quarter.

“They were ready to fold their tent and we let them back in the game,” Mooshagian said. “They just keep hanging around and kept battling.”

MC closed to within 24-20 on the second of three Daniel Burke field goals on the first drive of the second half.

“Give them credit, the minute we thought we’d have it under control, they’d make a big play,” Mooshagian said.

But VC scored 21 of the next 24 points to put the game away.

Thompson broke free for a 65-yard TD run. Hoffman reeled in a 10-yard TD pass from Irvin.

When James finished a four-play, 76-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run with 14:19 to play, the Pirates led 45-23.

After its weekend off, VC will travel to Antelope Valley (1-4, 0-2) on Oct. 21. MC visits Bakersfield (3-2, 1-1).

“We’re good enough offensively,” Mooshagian said. “We’re going to have to continue putting up points.”

Joe Curley covers high school, collegiate and professional football for The Star. He can be reached at joe.curley@vcstar.com. For more coverage, follow @vcsjoecurley on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ventura College quiets Moorpark College comeback to retain Citrus Cup