Earning its second bowl berth in three seasons, the Ventura College football team (7-3) will play Golden West (6-4) in the Orange County Bowl.

Kickoff at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa is Saturday night at 5.

"It's a huge accomplishment for these guys," said Ventura coach Jon Mack. "We're excited. It's a great reward for a great season."

The Pirates were proud of a solid third-place finish in the difficult Northern Conference and were back to work Sunday, 12 hours after beating rival Moorpark in consecutive seasons for the first time in 23 years.

"We're flexing," said Mack. "We lost three games to three 9-1 teams."

All three of Ventura's losses came against Top 5 seeds in the Southern California regional playoffs. The Pirates finished tied for No. 9 in the final Southern California coaches' poll.

Golden West finished 6-1 in the American Division's Mountain Conference. It was kept out of the playoffs by a 35-32 loss to Los Angeles Harbor on Sept. 26.

The postseason pairings are No. 8 Los Angeles Pierce (7-3) at No. 1 Mount San Antonio (9-1), No. 5 Hancock (9-1) at No. 4 Bakersfield (9-1), No. 7 L.A. Harbor (9-1) at No. 2 Fullerton (9-1) and No. 6 Palomar (8-2) at No. 3 Cerritos (9-1).

The Southern California champion advances to play the winner of the Nov. 21 Northern California title game between San Mateo (9-1) and Reedley (6-4) in the Dec. 12 state championship game.

The postseason structure put in place during the Southern California Football Association's creation in 2008 includes berths for the three Northern Division conference champions (Mount SAC, Fullerton and Bakersfield), three Northern Division conference runners up (Cerritos, Hancock and Palomar) and the two conference champions from the lesser American Division (L.A. Harbor and L.A. Pierce).

In the other two non-playoff bowl, Saddleback (8-2) will play College of the Canyons (6-4) in the Western State Bowl and El Camino (8-2) will play Grossmont (7-3) in the Beach Bowl.

Making its first bowl appearance in eight years, Ventura scored 15 points during a three-minute span in the fourth quarter to upend host Palomar, 39-35, and confirm a 8-3 season in the 2007 Southern California Bowl.

Click the jump for the box score of Ventura's 28-21 loss to Hancock Saturday night.

Backed up to second and 18, Hancock quarterback Gunnar Jespersen finds big-play receiver Maquelo Suel down the seam for a huge 47-yard gain.

Two plays later, Sua scores his fourth rushing TD of the night from a yard out for a 28-14 Hancock lead with 13:07 to play.

Down 28-14, Ventura drives to the Hancock 9, but Sims fumbles on a third down run and Hancock takes over with 8:12 to play.

UPDATE: VC gets the ball back and drives to the Hancock 19, but Sims is sacked on fourth and 6 with 3:48 to play.

Dominic Morris' 5-yard touchdown run pulls the Ventura College football team within 14-7 with 6:07 left in the third quarter of its "playoff play-in" game with Hancock.

Morris' 11-yard draw play and subsequent late hit by Hancock set up his touchdown run.

Hancock comes right back with a 8-play, 77-yard scoring drive. Thomas Sua's 30-yard run sets up his third TD of the night, from 1-yard out, which makes it 21-7 Hancock with 3:01 to play in the third quarter.

But the Pirates are not done yet, pulling within 21-14 on Sims' 32-yard scoring strike to Nick Karam with 23 seconds left in the third quarter.

Thomas Sua's second touchdown run on third and goal from the Ventura 15 gives Hancock a 14-0 lead with 11:20 left in the first half.

Ventura linebacker Ryan Panapa's heroics keep Ventura within 14-0 at the half. Panapa's fumble recovery on the Ventura 2 with :03 left Q2 keeps Ventura within 14-0 at the half.

Sua has 102 yards and two scores on eight carries. Bakcfieldmate Ryan Anglin has 61 yards on 15 carries.

Hancock has 241 yards of total offense, including 218 yards rushing, at the break. Ventura has 123 yards of total offense.

No score between Ventura College and Hancock College after the first quarter at the VC Sportsplex.

Ventura took the opening kickoff and converted two third downs and a fourth down, but an offensive pass interference flag halting the drive.

UPDATE: Hancock takes a 7-0 lead over Ventura on Thomas Sua's 4-yard touchdown run with 13:49 left in the second quarter.

Keep it right here for live coverage of the Ventura College football team's bid for a playoff berth against second-place Hancock and the Moorpark College football team's bid for its first win of the season at Glendale.

Both games kick off at 7 p.m. I'll be at the VC Sportsplex. Loren Ledin is in Glendale.

We will have updates both here on the blog and on our Twitter page, which you can access by either clicking the link or using the Twitter feed down the right hand side of this page.

No. 6 Hancock (8-1, 4-1) at No. 11 Ventura (6-2, 3-1)
VC Sportsplex, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Hancock 55, Glendale 27; Bakersfield 44, Ventura 14.
SERIES HISTORY: Hancock leads, 15-14, dating back to 1954. Hancock won 30-12 last year.
GAME FACTS: Second place in the Northern Division and a playoff berth is on the line. Hancock leads Southern California in rushing (240.0 ypg, 28 TDs) behind RB Ryan Anglin (125 att., 777 yards, 6 TDs) and Thomas Sua (87 att., 435 yards, 10 TDs), as well as quarterback Gunner Jespersen (52 att., 229 yards, 3 TDs). Ventura remains the No. 5 rush defense (70.5 ypg). Jespersen (93-of-161 passing, 1,529 yards, 16 TDs) has also been very efficient passing. WR Marquelo Suel (41 rec., 692 yards, 10 TDs) is the big-play target. If QB Antavius Sims (50-of-105 passing, 800 yards, 4 TDs) can't play, QB Greg Jimenez (52-of-94 passing, 435 yards, 2 TDs) will deputize. RB Dominic Morris (90 att., 431 yards, 3 TDs) and Gabriel Bostic (68 att., 278 yards, 1 TDs) support Sims (92 att., 376 yards, 9 TD) in the running game. WR Brandon Gunther (14 rec., 145 yards, 1 TD) is coming on strong alongside Nick Karam (28 rec., 379 yards, 2 TDs) and Patrick Herbert (21 rec., 214 yards).

Moorpark (0-8, 0-4) at No. 19 Glendale (3-5, 0-4)
Sartoris Field, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Pasadena 27, Moorpark 20; Hancock 55, Glendale 27.
SERIES HISTORY: Moorpark leads the series, 18-17, dating back to 1968. Moorpark won 51-44 in double overtime last year.
GAME FACTS: Following its closest loss of the season, on a fumble recovery in the end zone by Pasadena's Reuben Thomas no less, Moorpark is ready for its best chance for that elusive first win. Moorpark welcomes back WR Justin Bradley and OT Eddy McGilvra. QB Ian Shultis (143-of-278 passing, 1,587 yards, 16 TDs) has thrown for 76 percent of the Raiders TDs. Most have gone to WR Chris Gant (42 rec., 558 yards), who leads the state with 11 TD receptions. Glendale's offense revolves around RBs Jorge Chaidez (98 att., 463 yards, 2 TDs) and Willie Youngblood (124 att., 460 yards, 5 TDs).

The geographical structure of the Western State Conference's North Division along the 101 freeway is under threat.

Northern Western State Conference schools Cuesta, Hancock and Bakersfield colleges would leave the WSC for the Northern region, if an emergency proposal to realign California community college conferences were approved.

The measure, unveiled at Thursday's Commission on Athletics meeting in Burlingame, was tabled until December Friday morning by the COA board.

In the plan, the three schools would join the Central Valley Conference (Fresno, Sequoias, Merced, Modesto, ect.) and be replaced by Lancaster's Antelope Valley College, which is part of the Foothill Conference (San Bernardino Valley, Chaffey, ect).

Cuesta does not field a football team, but apparently Hancock and Bakersfield would remain in the Southern California Football Association, where they play in the Northern Conference with Ventura and Moorpark.

The management council also approved 19 minor cost containment items regarding the reduction of contests, dues and playoff seeding from April through 2012.

The Moorpark College football team's seven-game losing streak will be tough to snap today against No. 8 Hancock (6-1) at Griffin Stadium.

Moorpark (0-6) features the most porous run defense in Southern California. It allowed 404 rushing yards in a 52-14 loss at Bakersfield last week, which allowed the Renegades to pass Hancock as the region's top rushing team.

"They're just going to come right at us," said head coach Jim Bittner. "I'm hoping they'll throw a pass.

"What's been happening to us is tackling. We meet people at the point of attack, but the ballcarriers run through them. It's a matter of wrapping up. That's been our major problem."

Moorpark has lost 11 of 12 games since Sept. 27, 2008. Its lone win came in double overtime, 51-44, against Glendale on Nov. 8.

The Raiders are down to 64 players and only seven offensive linemen.

But there is hope that Moorpark will welcome back two of its best players, running back/linebacker Jerrell Holland and receiver Justin Bradley, in the upcoming weeks.

"Jarrell, he may be able to play later in the season, same with Justin," said Bittner. "(Bradley) does look 100 percent, so he might be able to go this game.

"With those two guys in the lineup, we're a much better football team. You're just afraid to play them too early, in fear of losing them (for the season). I'm trying to fight that temptation."

Moorpark has actually been very effective throwing the ball. Quarterback Ian Shultis has had a very productive freshman campaign, connecting with Chris Gant for eight touchdowns. Shultis found tight end Chris Hussey for several key first downs when the game was still in doubt at Bakersfield.

"Actually, we've had some good days of practice this week," said Bittner. "We're going to have a little bit of luck one of this days.

"I'm trying to find the positive in this season."

Here's this week's community college football capsules, as usual, a day before they are in print:

COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

No. 13 Canyons (5-2, 2-1) at No. 12 Ventura (5-1, 2-0)
VC Sportsplex, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Canyons 14, Glendale 6; Ventura, bye.
SERIES HISTORY: Canyons leads, 13-6, having won the past eight meetings since 1999. Canyons won 52-29 last year.
GAME FACTS: Ventura opens a three-game stretch to decide the Northern Conference against the program that has dominated the area for a decade. It may come down to which dominant defense plays better. The teams are No. 1 (Canyons, 13.7 ppg) and No. 11 (Ventura, 16.7 ppg) in the state in scoring defense. Ventura is No. 2 in rushing defense (40.5 ypg) and No. 3 (206.7 ypg) in total defensel, led S Travaun Nixon (37 tackles, 6 ints.), LB Brendan Daley (36 tackles) and DLs Derrick Clune and Tommy Stuart (3.5 sacks each). The Cougars have been a bend-but-don't-break defense, but have piled up 10 interceptions and 22 sacks behind LB Evan Harrington (4.5 sacks) and S Kalen Powell (4 ints.). Behind QB Antavius Sims (76 att., 300 yards, 8 TDs) and a stable of four RBs, including Dominic Morris (63 att., 336 yards, 2 TDs) and RB Gabriel Bostic (52 att., 234 yards, 1 TD), Ventura is No. 6 in SoCal in rushing (193.8 ypg). Ventura has dominated the first half, 99-41, while Canyons has taken the second half, 92-41. Canyons has its typical playmaker in WR D.J. Stephens (35 rec., 571 yards, 5 TDs). QB Justin Morales (89-of-140 passing, 1,006 yards, 7 TDs) has been inconsistent, alongside mobile QB Eric Brown (41 att., 170 yards, 1 TDs). RB Nick Hale (75 att., 328 yards, 5 TDs), BJ Iverson (66 att., 252 yards, 2 TDs), and Ryan Zirbel (35 att., 156 yards, 2 TDs) have given Canyons a backfield by committee.

No. 8 Hancock (6-1, 2-1) at Moorpark (0-6, 0-2)
Griffin Stadium, 6 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Hancock 38, Pasadena City 23; Bakersfield 52, Moorpark 14.
SERIES HISTORY: Moorpark leads, 13-11, in a series dating back to 1971. Hancock won 40-22 last year.
GAME FACTS: There is no secret where this game could be determined. Behind RB Ryan Anglin (98 att., 566 yards, 3 TDs) and RB Thomas Sua (64 att., 339 yards, 9 TDs), Hancock features the No. 2 rushing attack (220.6 ypg) in SoCal. Moorpark sits dead last against the rush (37th, 281.0 ypg) in SoCal and 70th among 71 teams statewide. Hancock was just overtaken atop the rankings by Bakersfield, which piled up 404 yards rushing last week against the Raiders. Moorpark will be without RB/LB Jerrell Holland (knee) for the second straight week, but it hopes WR Justin Bradley (leg) will return in time to contribute to its productive passing offense. QB Ian Shultis (86-for-183 passing, 956 yards, 10 TDs, 8 ints.) has WR Chris Gant (25 rec., 390 yards, 8 TDs), Bradley (20 rec., 338 yards, 1 TD), TE Chris Hussey (14 rec., 111 yards), WR Andre Garcia (11 rec., 156 yards, 1 TD) and WR Darren McGee (10 rec., 89 yards) as solid targets. Gritty RB Evan Yabu (49 att., 227 yards, 1 TD) has held things together in the backfield.

Here's this week's community college football capsules, as usual, a day before they are in print:

COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

No. 13 Canyons (5-2, 2-1) at No. 12 Ventura (5-1, 2-0)
VC Sportsplex, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Canyons 14, Glendale 6; Ventura, bye.
SERIES HISTORY: Canyons leads, 13-6, having won the past eight meetings since 1999. Canyons won 52-29 last year.
GAME FACTS: Ventura opens a three-game stretch to decide the Northern Conference against the program that has dominated the area for a decade. It may come down to which dominant defense plays better. The teams are No. 1 (Canyons, 13.7 ppg) and No. 11 (Ventura, 16.7 ppg) in the state in scoring defense. Ventura is No. 2 in rushing defense (40.5 ypg) and No. 3 (206.7 ypg) in total defensel, led S Travaun Nixon (37 tackles, 6 ints.), LB Brendan Daley (36 tackles) and DLs Derrick Clune and Tommy Stuart (3.5 sacks each). The Cougars have been a bend-but-don't-break defense, but have piled up 10 interceptions and 22 sacks behind LB Evan Harrington (4.5 sacks) and S Kalen Powell (4 ints.). Behind QB Antavius Sims (76 att., 300 yards, 8 TDs) and a stable of four RBs, including Dominic Morris (63 att., 336 yards, 2 TDs) and RB Gabriel Bostic (52 att., 234 yards, 1 TD), Ventura is No. 6 in SoCal in rushing (193.8 ypg). Ventura has dominated the first half, 99-41, while Canyons has taken the second half, 92-41. Canyons has its typical playmaker in WR D.J. Stephens (35 rec., 571 yards, 5 TDs). QB Justin Morales (89-of-140 passing, 1,006 yards, 7 TDs) has been inconsistent, alongside mobile QB Eric Brown (41 att., 170 yards, 1 TDs). RB Nick Hale (75 att., 328 yards, 5 TDs), BJ Iverson (66 att., 252 yards, 2 TDs), and Ryan Zirbel (35 att., 156 yards, 2 TDs) have given Canyons a backfield by committee.

No. 8 Hancock (6-1, 2-1) at Moorpark (0-6, 0-2)
Griffin Stadium, 6 p.m.
LAST WEEK: Hancock 38, Pasadena City 23; Bakersfield 52, Moorpark 14.
SERIES HISTORY: Moorpark leads, 13-11, in a series dating back to 1971. Hancock won 40-22 last year.
GAME FACTS: There is no secret where this game could be determined. Behind RB Ryan Anglin (98 att., 566 yards, 3 TDs) and RB Thomas Sua (64 att., 339 yards, 9 TDs), Hancock features the No. 2 rushing attack (220.6 ypg) in SoCal. Moorpark sits dead last against the rush (37th, 281.0 ypg) in SoCal and 70th among 71 teams statewide. Hancock was just overtaken atop the rankings by Bakersfield, which piled up 404 yards rushing last week against the Raiders. Moorpark will be without RB/LB Jerrell Holland (knee) for the second straight week, but it hopes WR Justin Bradley (leg) will return in time to contribute to its productive passing offense. QB Ian Shultis (86-for-183 passing, 956 yards, 10 TDs, 8 ints.) has WR Chris Gant (25 rec., 390 yards, 8 TDs), Bradley (20 rec., 338 yards, 1 TD), TE Chris Hussey (14 rec., 111 yards), WR Andre Garcia (11 rec., 156 yards, 1 TD) and WR Darren McGee (10 rec., 89 yards) as solid targets. Gritty RB Evan Yabu (49 att., 227 yards, 1 TD) has held things together in the backfield.

Juan Santiago and Adrian Llamas scored five minutes apart at the end of the
first half as the Moorpark College men¹s soccer team improved to 3-0 in the
Western State Conference with a 3-2 win over visiting Hancock on Tuesday
afternoon.

Santiago opened the scoring in the 39th minute. After Hancock immediately
equalized, Llamas dribbled 40 yards and finished the restore the Raiders
lead.

Kevin Sanchez added a third six minutes after the half for Moorpark (5-2-1,
3-0), who travels to Oxnard on Friday for the Ventura County derby.

Oxnard (5-4-1, 1-2 WSC) fell to visiting Los Angeles Mission (5-4-1, 2-0-1), who sits alongside Santa Barbara City in second place with seven points.

The Oxnard College women's soccer team fell 3-1 at Cuesta. Liz Gouvea scored in the 88th minute for the Condors (2-6-2, 1-2).

SCFA Northern Conference

Ventura 20, Glendale 13: VC opens conference with solid win by Joe Curley in Ventura and Defense not enough for Glendale by Gabriel Rizk, Glendale News Press.
Hancock 19, Canyons 16 (OT): Defense carries AHC past Canyons by Santa Maria Times and Bulldogs outmuscle COC by Santa Clarita Signal.
Bakersfield 34, Pasadena City 13: BC motivated in win over Pasadena by Jeff Evans, Bakersfield Californian and Bakersfield sacks PCC by Pasadena Star-News.

Cuesta remains the mountain to climb in the WSC North for the Ventura College baseball team.

The Pirates were within one game of the Cougars a fortnight ago after sweeping a two-game series with Moorpark by a historic 36-2 margin.

But Cuesta, which has won 10 of the past 12 WSC North titles, swept Ventura 7-1 and 15-4 March 21 and 24, respectively, and the Pirates have now lost five straight.

Cuesta (20-10, 13-2) leads Hancock (17-12, 10-5) and Ventura (12-11, 7-8) by three and six games, respectively. The Cougars held off second-place Ventura by four games last spring.