The brother tandem of freshman quarterback Evan Tomich (Mayfair HS) and freshman wide receiver Owen Tomich (St. John Bosco HS) almost single-handedly led the Cerritos College football team to a win over visiting Ventura College on Saturday night. even though the duo connected for three touchdown passes, the Pirates were able to capitalize on big scoring plays and came away with a 39-32 decision over the Falcons (1-2). The team looks to rebound next Saturday at 6:00 p.m. when they travel to Orange Coast College.

Their third scoring strike, a nine-yarder with 1:46 remaining in the fourth quarter drew Cerritos to within a touchdown. But the Falcons were unable to convert an onside kick and Ventura was able to take a knee for three straight plays a run out the clock.

Evan Tomich, who completed 24-of-40 passes for 292 yards, became the second Cerritos quarterback in two seasons to throw for five touchdown passes. Sophomore Dylan Eldredge (Cypress HS) tossed for five touchdowns against the Pirates last season.

The teams each scored a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter, with the Pirates holding a 14-13 lead after the Falcons missed an extra point. Evan Tomich hit Owen Tomich from seven yards out to open the scoring, with the big play on the drive being a 48-yard reception by sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Blair (Downey HS). Ventura came right down and tied the game before the Falcons responded with their own scoring drive. Cerritos capped off their 71-yard drive with sophomore wide receiver Gavin Porch (Los Alamitos HS) pulling in a six-yard pass, with Tomich going 6-for-6 on the drive.

Cerritos regained the lead at 19-14 when Evan Tomich found Owen Tomich in the end zone from eight yards out as the Falcons moved the ball downfield with ease. 

On their first drive of the second half, the Pirates took a lead they would not relinquish, as they put 22 points on the board in the third quarter. After Blair turned a short pass into a 69-yard touchdown, thanks to some fancy moves and downfield blocking, Cerritos was back in the game at 30-25. 

It only took Ventura quarterback three plays to find the end zone, as he tossed a checkdown pass to Silas Kemp and he raced 78 yards for a touchdown after the Falcons got back into the game.

Owen Tomich caught 10 passes for 74 yards, while Blair led all receivers with 155 yards on six receptions.

Defensively, sophomore linebacker EJ Smith (Mayfair HS) totaled nine tackles, with freshman linebacker Adrian Castro (La Serna HS) checking in with eight stops and a pair of tackles for losses. Sophomore defensive tackle Leroy Palu (Mayfair HS) registered 2 1/2 quarterback sacks, while the defensive recorded 10 tackles for loss on the night.

Photos by Daryl Peterson