Down seven points with 81 yards to go and 1:09 to play, the Ventura College drove the length of the football field against visiting Cerritos College Saturday night at the VC Sportsplex.

Only to come up short.

Rather than use his record-setting kicker to force overtime, Ventura coach Jon Mack elected to attempt the game-winning two-point conversion after quarterback Antavius Sims found receiver Nick Karam for a 9-yard touchdown pass with nine seconds to play.

Ventura (3-1) fell despite kicker Tyler Stampler setting a school record by converting five field goals on five attempts and All-State cornerback Travaun Nixon intercepting three passes in the first 18 minutes, returning one 27 yards for a touchdown.