Glendale Gives Ventura Painful Dose of Reality, 38-6

The Ventura College football team has come a long way this season, but Saturday night, Glendale showed the Pirates just how far they still have to go to compete with the big boys in the Western State Conference.

The Pirates, who suffered through some miserable recent seasons, won four of their first five games this year before Glendale dominated them, 38-6, in a WSC North Division game at Ventura High.

Ilan Zilberman led the Vaqueros (4-2, 3-2 in conference play) by rushing for 134 yards in 19 carries and scoring on runs of 38, three and 16 yards.

Glendale’s Tony Delgado completed 10 of 16 passes for 151 yards, and Eddie Michel, who played most of the second half, completed five of 14 for 133 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown to Tim Hilton. Kieron Estrada caught nine passes for 182 yards.

And for the third consecutive week, the Vaquero defensive unit, ranked third in the WSC, did not allow a touchdown. Glendale has allowed one touchdown in four games.

Ventura’s Aaron Trianna completed 13 of 26 for 185 yards, with one interception.

John Patton led Ventura (4-2, 3-1) with 75 yards in six carries, and Greg Johnson had five catches for 78 yards.

Glendale led at halftime, 24-6.

The Vaqueros took a 6-0 lead on their opening series when Zilberman broke loose on a 38-yard run. Mike Sierra’s extra-point attempt was blocked.

A procedure penalty at the Ventura one-yard line forced Glendale to settle for a field goal and Sierra’s 22-yard kick put the Vaqueros ahead, 9-0.

After McLane Hansen’s 38-yard field goal drew Ventura to within 9-3, Hilton took the ensuing kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown. Delgado passed to Estrada for the two-point conversion to make it 17-3.

The Vaqueros scored late in the half on Zilberman’s three-yard run for a 24-3 lead.

Jerry Hicks kicked a 43-yard field goal for Ventura as time ran out in the half.