Ventura defeats Riverside 31-21 in SCFA Championship; will face Laney for state title

No. 4 Ventura College punched its ticket to the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) state title game thanks to its 31-21 upset win at No. 2 Riverside City College on Saturday night in the SCFA Championship.

The Pirates (11-1) will face Laney College (10-2) for the state championship on Dec. 8 at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento. Laney was a 30-7 winner over Fresno City College in the Northern California Championship.

In Saturday night's contest, Ventura built a 21-7 second-quarter advantage before Riverside rallied to tie up the game at the 11:51 mark in the third. On 4th-and-1, Stone Smartt escaped for a 44-yard touchdown run to even the score at 21. But Ventura went ahead for good after a 10-yard TD reception by Gil' Scott Jackson from Brock Domann with 8:25 to play that capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive. The Pirates got a 36-yard field goal from Kyle Continente with 1:40 left to ice the victory. 

Ventura wide receiver Brandon Jordan was named the SCFA Championship Most Valuable Player after hauling in 6 receptions for 102 yards with a touchdown. Jaylen Watson (9 tackles, 1 pass break up) was the Ventura Defensive Player of the Game while Vic Viramontes (10 tackles, 1 interception) earned Riverside Player of the Game honors.