Billy Chambers tapped a banner night by racing 66 yards for a touchdown in the closing minutes to secure Nipomo's 12-0 victory over Bishop Diego High at Santa Barbara's La Playa Stadium.

Chambers, a 5-9 junior, was the Titans' workhorse, with 30 carries for 175 yards largely on dives up the middle. But his 66-yard burst through the line was the icing on the cake for Nipomo, which tied its 2005 victory mark in the first game of the season. The 2005 year, when the Titans went 1-9, was the first time the six-year old school had a senior class.

It was a typical first game of the season, with both teams particularly Bishop suffering from fumbilitis.

Nipomo nursed a narrow 6-0 lead from the second quarter until Chambers' heroics.

The first Titan touchdown came on a 3-yard pass from junior quarterback Mason Sperakos to wide-open Marco Parades in the end zone. That touchdown followed a Bishop fumble that gave Nipomo possession of the ball on Bishop's 38-yard line. A pass from Sperakos to rangy Sebastian Dechert took the ball the Bishop 6. On fourth down, Nipomo scored.

Nipomo missed a scoring opportunity after a 15-play drive starting at its own 37 at the start of the second half. When the drive stalled at the 10, Brent Seguine nailed a field goal. But a Bishop player was called for roughing the passer giving Nipomo a first down on the 5 and two plays later the Titans fumbled.

Sperakos, who didn't get started passing until the second quarter, ended up 7-for-10 with 98 yards and no interceptions. Many of his passes went to Dechert, who made a couple of circus catches and ended up with four receptions for 84 yards.

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Bishop's offense was stymied all night with several fumbles and two interceptions both made by Ray Cano. Aaron Skinner was the Cardinals' leading rusher with 10 carries for 70 yards.

Sept. 2, 2006