The smallest player on the field made one of the biggest plays of the night for the Santa Ynez Pirates in their 38-0 victory over Santa Maria at a chilly Dave Boyd field Friday night.

Santa Ynez cornerback Adam Miller intercepted a pass thrown by Santa Maria quarterback Billy Kennedy with just over 9-minutes remaining in the first half. The pick killed a Saints drive and their chance to get back in the game.

Santa Ynez was ahead 14-0 at the time. The Saints were driving toward the goal line.

Santa Maria coach Jim Doyle knew he had a mismatch. Kennedy had already completed one 29-yard alley-oop pass to 6'4" wide receiver Fred Smith over the head of the Pirates' 5'6" Miller. The combination almost scored three plays later on another alley-oop that was just out of the end zone.

They tried it again. This time Kennedy's throw was just a bit off target. Miller stepped in front of the ball, intercepted it at the 5-yard line and returned the ball 48 yards to the Saints 47-yard line.

"He (Miller) was playing a giant. I would have thrown on him too," said coach Ken Gruendyke. "But Adam played him tough. He hung with him then stepped in and got the interception."

Four plays later, Pirates quarterback Sean Hemming hit wide receiver Evan Seccombe with a 34-yard touchdown pass. Instead of the Saints closing the score to 14-7, the Pirates had turned the turnover into a touchdown, went up 21-0 and Santa Maria's chances for having a happy Homecoming were all but over.

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The Saints kicking game suffered after star kicker Victor Velasco broke his wrist during last week's game at Lompoc. Defensive back Jesus Saldana filled in. But instead of the normal booming into-the-endzone kickoffs of Velasco, Saldana could only boot the opening kickoff to the Santa Ynez 43-yard line.

"When Victor was injured it meant filling four spots," Doyle said. "Victor played on offense, defense, punted and kicked field goals. Jesus deserves a lot of credit for stepping in at kicker."

From there, the Pirates went on an 8-play, 58-yard drive for the games' first score.

Santa Ynez' star running back Tanner Belen carried the load. He carried the ball on six of the eight plays, capping it with a 13-yard touchdown run. For the night Belen picked up 156-yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries. Brett Miller's point after made it 7-0 Pirates just four minutes into the game.

After a short punt by the Saints' Saldana at the end of the first quarter, Santa Ynez, behind the running of Belen, marched 48-yards for their second score, a two-yard Belen run with 10:48 remaining in the half.

Despite their record (1-3 in LPL, 1-6 overall before this game), these are spunky Saints.

George Gallegos returned Belen's kickoff from the 15-yard line up to the 38.

Kennedy hit Smith for 29-yards. Juan Alcantar picked up 5-yards up the middle. Gilbert Arguijo picked up 5-more.

Kennedy's alley-oop to Smith was just out of his reach and just out of the end zone. Then Miller's fateful interception killed the drive.

The Pirates' Johnny McDermott added a 15-yard touchdown run with 8:10 left in the third quarter putting SY up 28-0.

Then the Pirates' Adam struck again.

Santa Maria again marched down the field behind running back Juan Alcantar (30 rushes for 140 yards for the night). They reached the Pirates' 22-yard line when Adam intercepted his second Kennedy pass of the night and the Saints' hopes were all but gone.

Santa Ynez scored again with 5:43 remaining in the third on a two-play drive. First a 22-yard pass from Hemming to Nick Urton followed immediately by a 24-yard touchdown run by Belen. Pirates 35, Saints 0.

Miller's 42-yard field goal with 7:25 remaining in the fourth quarter closed the scoring, making it 38-0 Santa Ynez.

Santa Ynez's record is now 2-2, 3-5. The Pirates host Cabrillo next Friday night.

"I just wish we could have started this run a couple of weeks ago," Gruendyke said.

"Anytime you're on the short end of 38-0 it's a tough night," Doyle said. "Still, I'm proud of these kids. I'm proud to be their coach, to be on the field with them. Next week we'll all be back and try it again."

The Saints (1-4, 1-7) host Paso Robles in a non-league game next Friday night.

The Saints crowned their Homecoming royalty during halftime ceremonies.

Norma Salazar was elected Homecoming Queen. Ricky Quintana was honored as Homecoming King.

November 1, 2003