The Atascadero Greyhounds out-raced Santa Ynez 38-34 in the Pirates' homecoming match Friday night.

But while the Pirates fall to 1-7 on the season with the non-league loss, the mood on the sidelines seemed more upbeat than it had in recent weeks.

“We got respect, but we wanted the win,” Santa Ynez quarterback Billy Peters said.

The 5-2 Greyhounds of the Pac-5 came into the contest having already beaten Los Padres contenders Cabrillo and St. Joseph.

The Pirates, playing in front of the homecoming crowd, showed a strong desire not to join that list by scoring 21 points in the first quarter.

Nick Rivera started off the Pirates' opening drive with a 12-yard run, followed by an eight yard reception. Peters would throw a 41-yard bomb to Zach Steele a few downs later which would set up a 10-yard running touchdown for Josh Hartman.

Atascadero stayed composed, and put together a three minute, 81-yard campaign culminating with Josh Vanalfen catching a Gunnar Jespersen pass over the middle to tie the game.

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An offensive race suited the Pirates fine, and Josh Hartman, only his second game back from injury, would gain 53 yards on the next three plays- a slant pass reception and two carries.

Rivera would run it the remaining 18 yards for a Santa Ynez touchdown.

A Greyhound fumble on their next possession would give the Pirates the ball back on their own 36-yard line.

Another diving catch by Steele, helped set Hartman up for a one yard running touchdown to end the first quarter 21-7 Santa Ynez.

“They've played some spectacular first half football this year, so we knew they would come out strong,” said Atascadero head coach Vic Cooper.

Coach Cooper added that his team's been in close situations before though, and stayed focused.

The ensuing kick-off saw Michael Reynoso win back the momentum for the Greyhounds when he ran the return up the sideline to the Santa Ynez 40. Converting two fourth-down situations with clutch runs by Rickey Taylor and Vanalfen brought the hounds to the Pirate goal line where a quarterback sneak scored the first of Atascadero's 21 unanswered points.

Santa Ynez tried to break the momentum with a trick play in the closing minutes of the first half, giving Steele the ball to throw to Peters in an interesting reversal of roles.

“I made a tough call and it could of gotten us a touchdown,” said Pirate head coach Josh Cunningham. “But instead it might of cost us the game.”

Steele's pass was easy pickings for Tony Seitz of the Hounds secondary. Atascadero would convert the interception for a touchdown with 21 seconds left on the clock.

Two late game bombs from Peters to Hartman, the second being a dramatic 68-yard touchdown strike, brought the Pirates to within four at the end, but Atascadero, who earned 26 first downs in the course of the game, maintained control of the ball long enough to deny Peters a chance to throw another deep ball.

Peters would end the night with 261 yards, making 11 of 23 throws.

Taylor was the workhorse for Atascadero, rushing 22 times for 129 yards.

The Pirates play their final two games on the road against Nipomo, followed by Morro Bay.

Atascadero travels to league opponent San Luis Obispo before hosting Paso Robles in their regular season closer.

Oct. 29, 2005