Breaks go PR's way

Tough defense and key mistakes.

That was the bottom line in St. Joseph's 15-3 loss to Paso Robles at Al Maguire field Friday night.

The defenses for the Knights and the Bearcats were quick off the ball all night, effectively shutting down the normally powerful offensive teams on the other side of the ball.

Errors also help kill the Knights' chances of winning their third game of the season, but more on that later.

"It was a great game, a great game," said Paso Robles coach Rich Schimke.

"Their defense was so strong we just couldn't get any momentum going."

"Our defense played great, their defense played great," said St. Joseph coach Barney Eames. "But the penalties... they were a killer."

The Knights defense passed the first test of the game.

With Paso heading slowly but steadily down the field, St. Joseph defensive back Daniel Saucedo picked off Bearcats quarterback Casey Larson at the St. Joe 34-yard line. He returned it 19-yards to the Paso 47, killing Paso's first drive.

"Barney had a great defensive scheme," said Schimke. "It took us well into the second half to figure it out."

The Knights launched a seven-play drive ending with Tim Schweigert's 39-yard field goal, with 6:13 left in the first quarter.

That was the only score of the first half.

The Knights shut down the Bearcats without defensive stalwarts Jacob Bychak and Alex Munds, both out with injuries.

However, linebacker Ryan Aquistapace returned from an injury and teamed with Zachary Sternjacob, Robbi Moss, Philip Adam, Joseph Mendez, Greg Reynolds, Ryan San Juan, Jacob Boster, Justin Maretti, Brandon Merlo, Dominic Catayas and Saucedo to shut down the Pac-5 Bearcats powerful offensive force.

The Bearcats had great field position to begin their second drive of the second half.

Early in the third quarter, The Knights, on fourth-and-21, were forced to punt from their own 8-yard line. Paso Robles punt returner Brian Welty hauled it in at the 50 and returned the ball to the St. Joe 35-yard line.

The Bearcats went on a 6-play drive, ending with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Larson to tight end Matt Hawkins.

Paso's star running back Vince Freitas also doubles as their kicker. He missed the point after but the Knights were called for roughing the kicker on the play.

On their second PAT attempt, Paso went for the two-point conversion. Freitas ran it in for an 8-3 Paso Robles lead.

Neither team could get much going the rest of the way.

The teams even resorted to trick plays to try to keep drives alive.

Facing a fourth-and-seven at their own 28-yard line late in the third quarter, coach Schimke called for a fake punt.

Punter Mitch Monteiro stepped up to the ball, then put it under his arm and took off up the left sideline. The play was good for ten yards and a first down.

The Knights defense stiffened and Paso's drive stalled five plays later.

Midway through the fourth quarter, with fourth-and-11 from midfield, St. Joseph pulled their own fake punt play and almost stole the lead.

Punter Philip Adam took the ball, headed to his right and raced all the way down to the one-yard line before being stopped by Adam Gomes.

With first and goal at the one, St. Joseph quarterback Casey Cathcart tried a quarterback sneak but was stopped inches from the goal line.

On second and goal tailback Brad Escobar leaped into the endzone for an apparent touchdown but ... flag ... the play was called back on an illegal procedure call.

"We beat ourselves with that penalty," said Eames. "We had our chances, we really did. We were right there but ..."

Cathcart was then sacked by Gomes and on third-and-goal from the 17 the Bearcats' Freitas intercepted Cathcart while falling into the endzone.

With 5:38 left to play it was the end of the St. Joe comeback.

"Our offense just couldn't get anything going," Schimke said. "So our defense had to step up tonight and they did."

Paso then responded with an 8-play, 80-yard, clock-killing drive, scoring with exactly 2:00 left on the clock. Freitas PAT was good, Paso had a 15-3 lead and the Knights had all but run out of time.

"We've had four tough ballgames," said Eames. "I think we're ready for league play."

That begins next Friday night for the Knights when they travel to Santa Ynez to open the LPL season against the Pirates.

October 4, 2003