Big 3rd Quarter Helps Ventura Rip Winless Pierce

Russ Taylor intercepted a pass and returned it 99 yards Saturday night to spark a 21-point third quarter for Ventura College as the Pirates routed Pierce, 42-10, at Ventura High.

Ventura running back Wayne Jones led Ventura’s first-half attack, rushing for a 10-yard touchdown and was involved in an unusual play 3 possessions later.

On first down from the Pierce 26-yard line, Jones took a handoff and dodged tacklers to the 15 where he was stripped of the ball and fumbled forward. Typifying a frustrating evening for Pierce, Ventura wide receiver Robert Worsley scooped up the ball at the 5-yard line and ran it in for the touchdown to give Ventura a 14-3 halftime lead.

Pierce (0-5, 0-3 in conference play) came out hot in the second half, marching 74 yards to the Ventura 15 before Taylor’s interception. Undaunted, Pierce took the ensuing kickoff and sped 63 yards in 3 plays, capped by Chad Zeigler’s 23-yard touchdown reception.

Zeigler caught 7 passes for 120 yards.

Jones finished with 121 yards in 20 carries and scored 2 touchdowns. Pierce running back John Griffin gained 117 yards in 24 carries.

Pierce quarterback Ronnie Lopez completed 10 of 29 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown.