Ventura Completes Reversal of Fortune

What a difference a year makes. From a nine-loss season to nine victories and a Western State Conference Bowl triumph.

Making its first bowl appearance since 1989, Ventura College capped its turnaround season by defeating West Los Angeles, 23-14, Saturday night at Ventura High.

Ventura opened the scoring when running back Travis Rogers scored on a one-yard run, capping a 10-play, 66-yard drive midway through the first quarter.

West L.A. (7-4) answered when quarterback Reggie Haynes threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Craig Mitchell with 5:01 left in the first quarter.

The Pirates (9-2) took a 14-6 lead when quarterback Brian Shubin scrambled for a 13-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.

The only score of the third quarter came when Ventura defensive lineman Brent Walker tackled Haynes in the end zone for a safety.

After an interception and 18-yard return by Ryan Cuthbert on the first play of the fourth quarter, Maurice Atwood scored on a nine-yard run.

Atwood led all rushers with 104 yards in 21 carries.

Haynes completed 16 of 36 passes for 158 yards, with three interceptions. Mitchell had 10 receptions for 77 yards.

Rogers, the WSC’s leading rusher, finished with 94 yards in 25 carries but played sparingly in the second half because of cramps.