Ventura Coach Says Official Blew Call

When a football team is struggling to score, the last thing it needs is to have touchdowns taken away.

Terry Morris, Ventura College’s coach, was still smarting Monday about an official’s call that cost the Pirates six points in a 9-7 loss at Santa Monica on Saturday night.

On a fourth and goal from the Santa Monica one-yard line in the first quarter, Ventura running back Leon Thomas jumped over the top and seemingly into the end zone, but he fumbled and the Corsairs recovered.

“He broke the goal-line plane,” Morris said. “He definitely cleared the plane. It’s on the [game] film. One official signaled a TD.”

The Pirates (2-4) can hardly afford to get short-changed. They are averaging 17.5 points and have scored 20 points or more in only two games.

Yet, because their defense is allowing only 245 yards per game, their largest losing margin was 16-6 to Moorpark on Sept. 30.

Ventura, defending Western State Conference Northern Division co-champion with Hancock, was a preseason favorite to challenge for another title but never got off the blocks.

“It’s been frustrating,” Morris said.

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Canyons is the WSC’s version of the St. Louis Rams, with one major difference: The Cougars can play defense.

The Cougars (6-0) enter a key Northern Division matchup at Moorpark (4-2) on Saturday with an offense that is averaging 43 points and has scored 66 and 55 points in the last two games.

They are allowing 12 points and have not given up more than 17 points in a game.

Canyons and Moorpark each are 3-0 in division play, so the winner could have a decisive advantage.

Coach Chuck Lyon of Canyons knows playing the Raiders is never easy.

“Moorpark is always very disciplined,” Lyon said. “They don’t beat themselves.”