Justin Stevens' Late Interception Lifts COC Past Ventura

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - Sophomore linebacker Justin Stevens intercepted Ventura quarterback Antavius Sim's pass and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown with 1:37 left in the game and the College of the Canyons football team defeated Ventura College 37-24 in its annual homecoming game.

The INT by Stevens', his first of the year, was the dagger that put the game out of reach for the Pirates after COC held a 30-24 lead with 5:55 remaining in regulation.

After Ventura kicked off to open the game, COC's offense needed only two plays to go 76 yards, which ended in a 48-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Justin Arias to wide receiver Rickeem Jackson.

The Cougars would score on three of their next six possessions, to garner a 14-7 lead by the end of the first stanza.

Kicker Everett Goldberg added a 24-yard field goal to start the second quarter and capped off the scoring for COC in the first half.

Ventura added two more touchdowns in the second quarter, including one with 16 seconds left to go in the quarter to dwindle COC's lead down, 21-17.

COC's third-quarter touchdown came after Canyons' Dashawn Cassell picked off the VC quarterback Sims' pass to set up the Cougar offense at the Ventura 20-yard line. Five plays later, Arias hit Alex Fagerstrom for a 2-yard touchdown pass and a 24-21 COC lead.

The Pirates scored on the ensuing possession to tie the game 24-24 with 8:30 left in the third quarter.

COC jumped out to a 30-24 lead in the fourth quarter, which was preceded by a Ventura punt fumble COC recovered it on the Ventura 13-yard line, and four plays later, Ryan Zirbel carried the ball into the end zone for a four-yard touchdown.

With the Pirates looking to score with 2:18 left in regulation, Sims threw his second pick of the half, which was returned for a TD by Stevens, ending the Pirates' hope for a comeback.

Arias finished the night 14-of-29 for 178 yards with two interceptions. Frankie Madero had three catches for 60 yards and Zirbel carried the ball 13 times for 86 yards and a score. Justin Cudworth led the defense with nine stops, including 3.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks.

The Cougars will finish the regular season on Saturday in Bakersfield. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.