Ventura Hits High-Water Mark in First Game, 38-0

VENTURA — Ventura Coach George Rosales received a water-dousing after the first game of the season.

And for good reason. The Pirates ended an 11-game losing streak, surpassing their point total for the 1993 season in a 38-0 Western State Conference Interdivision victory over West L.A. Saturday night at Ventura High.

John Patton rushed for 91 yards in three carries, including a 58-yard touchdown for Ventura, which finished 0-10 last season and scored only 36 points.

Ventura jumped to a 14-0 first-quarter lead on Patton’s run, and a four-yard scoring run by Gordy Abellera that was set up by a minus-five-yard punt by West L.A.

Greg Johnson scored on an eight-yard run and a 36-yard pass play from McLane Hansen on a fake punt that gave the Pirates a 38-0 lead with 10 minutes to play. Hansen added a 31-yard field goal.

Eric Gutierrez had two sacks and Noah Walsh had two interceptions for Ventura. Ivan McCrae added 45 yards in 11 carries.

West L.A. running back Michael Black, a former Kilpatrick standout who rushed for 1,336 yards as a freshman last season, was limited to 65 yards in 22 carries.