Moorpark Puts a Third Title on Its Shelf With 26-21 Victory

Three in a row.

That’s what Moorpark College accomplished Saturday night with a 26-21 victory over Ventura in a Western State Conference football game at Ventura High.

The Raiders (7-2, 7-1 in WSC play) clinched at least a tie for their third consecutive North Division title. It was also the fourth consecutive victory for Moorpark, which is 4-0 in the division.

Ventura (4-5, 3-4) dropped to 0-4 in the division.

Isaiah Mustafa, who had four catches for 64 yards, set a Moorpark single-season reception record. He has 56, one more than Dan Russell’s 55 in 1984.

Quarterback Damian Delfino completed nine of 23 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns.

Moorpark broke on top in the first quarter when Justin Simo intercepted a pass by Jason Brown and returned it 28 yards to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead.

The Raiders made it 9-0 when several players tackled Brown in the end zone for a safety.

After the free kick, Moorpark drove 57 yards to make it 16-0 when Delfino connected with Aaron Whitley on a 24-yard pass play.

The Raiders led, 23-0, at halftime on a 71-yard pass play from Delfino to Joaquin Evans.

Ventura scored in the second half on David Simerly’s 29-yard fumble return and two touchdown passes by reserve quarterback Aaron Triana--the second coming with 1:01 left in the game.