From the opening kickoff, Righetti High School was off to the races during the 42nd edition of The Big Game Friday night at Santa Maria High School's Dave Boyd Field.

The Warriors posted an impressive 52-7 victory to claim the unofficial city public school championship over their crosstown rivals.

Righetti High School's star running back Mark Malangko hauled in that kickoff at his own seven yard line on the Righetti side of the field, cut to his left, crossed the field and headed up the Saints' sideline where he was finally hauled down at the Santa Maria 41 - a 52 yard return that gave the Warriors excellent field position.

Three plays later, Warriors quarterback Jon Dally hit wide receiver Ryan Grossman with an 11-yard touchdown pass - just over one-minute into the game - and the rout was on.

"It was a good, clean game," said Righetti coach Gary Wilson. "We were fortunate to be able to play everybody."

"We've got one under our belts and we'll improve, we'll get better," said new Saints coach Shawn Ramirez. "Our kids did some good things - we'll definitely improve over our game tonight."

Righetti scored touchdowns on all seven first half possessions on the way to a 46-0 halftime lead.

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The Warriors also scored the first time they touched the ball in the second half - when Lino Esparza returned a Saints punt 55-yards for a score.

By then, Righetti's starters were spectators - most were pulled midway through the second quarter - riding the pines while their backups had the chance to gain some valuable game experience.

"You don't want to take chances," Wilson said. "You have guys out of there that are very valuable to your team and you get a chance to get some of the backups in and get them some valuable work."

Dally was a perfect nine-for-nine passing on the night - hitting four different receivers for touchdowns.

Malangko picked up 69-yards and one touchdown on five carries and hauled in three passes and another touchdown before being done for the night.

The Saints rested their hopes on running back Gilbert Arguijo, who picked up 86 on 13 carries and quarterback Nolan Snowden, who ran for 94-yards on 12 carries.

In the end, the Warriors were just to quick for the Saints.

After Righetti's opening TD, the Saints went three-and out.

The Warriors came back with a 7-play, 80-yard drive culminating with a seven-yard TD pass to Tyler Hogan.

Again the Saints went three-and-out.

Righetti scored on a quick two-play, 54-yard drive with Dally hitting Malangko with a 42-yard scoring pass.

The Saints fumbled on their third play of the next drive - giving the Warriors the ball on Santa Maria's 40-yard line.

Malangko took a handoff from Dally and ran all the way into the endzone. One play, 40-yards and Righetti was up 25-0 with 2:39 left in the first quarter.

Dally later hit tight end Marcus Garietz with an 11-yard scoring pass, Chad Stephens ran one in from the three-yard line and Brad Comaduran scored from 6-yards out to close out the first half's scoring.

Esparza punt return was the final tally for the Warriors.

The Saints never gave up. They not only hung in there but came away with a bit of a moral victory - actually outscoring Righetti 7-6 in the second half.

"We preached to our kids to win the second half. They went out and did that - they played with heart, never gave up. I'm proud of them. It's just tough to get a quality team like that Righetti in the first game," said Ramirez.

As the fourth quarter began, Snowden directed an 11-play, 73-yard drive - relying on the legs of Arguijo - ending with Arguijo's one-yard run for a score.

"My hat is off to Gary and his staff. They do a great job of coaching," said Ramirez.

"These guys are good athletes, we've got some great kids," Wilson said after the game. As for the young Saints - "They're going to be okay. They're good kids. They'll learn from this and they'll be okay."

Sept. 11, 2004