EC took a 58-52 lead on a 32-yard field goal by freshman kicker Nathan Hierlihy with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
Ventura marched down the field in 11 plays to the Warriors 15-yard line. Pirates quarterback Brandon Jones connects on a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Riley Smith with 15 seconds left on the clock to give Ventura a 59-58 victory over the Warriors in a wild shootout at the Sportsplex in Ventura on Saturday.
“I’ve been here since 1985 and we’ve been in great football games,” Coach John Featherstone said. “Saturday night’s football game was one of the most exciting games I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach. Not only coach but just to be there and watch it unfold.”
El Camino sophomore quarterback Jorge Hernandez had a big night, completing 37 of 54 passes for 602 yards and six touchdowns with only three interceptions, as well as recording a rushing touchdown.
“El Camino has more All-American quarterbacks than anybody else in the country,” Featherstone said. “What Jorge did the other night was spectacular. He was just on fire against a good team.”
Hernandez threw three first half touchdowns, including a 72-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver William Moorehand, as the game went into halftime tied, 24-24.
Moorehand caught two scores in the first half and finished with 10 receptions for 291 yards and three touchdowns. Fellow freshman wide receiver Stevie Williams caught six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.
“It was a disappointing loss,” Williams said. “We did so much to stop them and on offense every time they scored, we scored. We just tried to compete with them.”
Freshman wide receiver Russell Shaw, a Hamilton High School alumni, added five receptions with 73 yards and a touchdown.
Both schools combined for 1,425 yards of total offense, according to scfafootball.com.
“It was one of those tough losses but I think the kids grew up,” Featherstone said. “You have to give Ventura credit. They found a way to win.”
The Warriors are back in action next Saturday when they host Saddleback College at Redondo Union High School at 5 p.m.
