Ventura, CA (Football) – After amassing over 300 yards last week against LA Pierce College, the Citrus College offense has hit a snag once again for the second time in three games as the Pirates of Ventura College shut-out the Owls 21-0 on Saturday night. The Owls were pressured into four turnovers, and picked up just 214 yards of total offense, in their first divisional loss since 2005.
Citrus was held to just 12 first downs, and was only 4 of 13 on third down conversions, as the Ventura defense played one of its best games to date. The Pirates forced Citrus quarterback John Garcia into several mistakes, as he finished the game 11 of 22 with three interceptions and a fumble.
Defensively, the Owls put up a solid effort, forcing two turnovers of their own on a Damian James interception and Demarcus Flanagan forced fumble and recovery, but the conference’s number one ranked pass defense gave up two touchdowns through the air. Ventura quarterback Lee Mondol connected with wide receiver’s Ricky Garcia and Jordan Cameron for scores of 25 and 5 yards in the 2nd and 4th quarters to help put the game out of reach. The other Ventura score came on a special teams play as they opened up the third quarter with a 92 yard kickoff return.
For the sixth time in eight games, the Owls were held without a hundred yard rusher as running back Aaron Ridgeway carried the ball 22 times for 77 yards. Their four turnovers was the highest total of the season, and the 94 yards passing was their third lowest out-put of the year.
With the loss, Citrus falls to 5-3 and 4-1 in WSC Pacific Division play. Citrus’ road from here on out doesn’t get any easier as it travels to Moorpark College for the first of its final two WSC Pacific Division games next Saturday. Kick-off is set for 5:00 PM.
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