The last time Santa Ynez High School had beaten Paso Robles football was 1998.

It could not of been a better time to happen again, than Friday night when the Pirates christened their new synthetic football field with a resounding 31-7 win.

“We knew they'd be fired up to play on the new field, said Paso Robles head coach Rich Schimke.

The bigger school from the tougher league came into Pirate Stadium looking shaky, with a few injuries from their 29-28 season opener win against Highland, including starting quarterback Greg Draper.

Santa Ynez wasted no time putting on the pressure, receiving the kick-off, marched down the field with four first-downs before senior quarterback Billy Peters threw to Adam Johansen on a crossing route. The tight end turned down field to score on the 27 yard play. Back-up quarterback and kick-holder Blake DuBois surprised the Bearcats by running in the two-point conversion.

The Pirate defense shined early and often in the contest, holding Paso Robles first campaign to four downs, and handing the ball back to the offense on their own 38.

“The defense really gave us that momentum- that feeling that they were in control of the game tonight,” said Pirate head coach Joshua Cunningham.

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The offense kept their end of the arrangement, with short yard specialist Zack Andrews earning three first-downs to keep the drive alive. The ended at the top of the second quarter with 5'8” Kyle McQuitty running a dog-leg left for 20 yards.

Paso Robles roared back following the missed Santa Ynez extra point. Garried Mitchell's strong kick-off return, plus a facemask call placed the Bearcats on the opponent's 37-yard-line. In spite of a pass batted down by Pirate defensive standout Enrique DeLeon which forced a fourth-down situation, the Bearcats eventually scored on a 1-yard run by team captain J.R. Felgenhauer, making it 14-7.

“After that score I was just anxious to put some more points on the board,” said coach Cunningham.

Score they did. DeLeon managed to strip Bearcats quarterback Brandon Ladley of the ball, recover it and run to the 5-yard-line.

From there, it only took another dogleg to the right from McQuitty, assisted in large part to a huge block by right tackle Riley Gauld.

“The blocks, the line...everyone played so well tonight I barely had to do anything,” said the senior captain received. McQuitty would run in a 2-point-conversion on his way to finishing with 36 yards on six carries, 13 points and an interception.

Paso tried to take to the air in their next series, but the Pirate pass protection was up to the challenge. The defense held the Bearcats to only one first down before forcing the punt. Santa Ynez would only need a 26-yard rumble by Justin Iniguez, who led the Pirates with 94 yards on 15 carries, followed a 30-yard strike from Peters to receiver Adam Johansen. The extra point by kicker Austin Bartoo put the score at 29-7 at the half.

A scoreless third quarter, and an errant snap over the head of Ladley, which rolled out the back of Paso Robles end zone for a Pirate safety sealed the deal 31-7.

“They dominated the game and we had no answers,” said Schimke.

Before the game, the Santa Ynez Union High School Board and school administrators joined representatives of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, including Tribal Chairman Vincent Armenta, to dedicate the new synthetic field, constructed as part of a $9 million renovation and improvement project for the High School athletic facilities and school grounds. The Tribe of Chumash Indians has pledged $3 million in assistance.

“I'm so happy, it's like Christmas,” Cunningham said of the field.

Both coaches praised the turf, as did players like DeLeon.

“It's way better. Before with the potholes and the dirt patches, but this is nice.”

The Pirates (1-0) play on the road against non-league opponent Nordhoff next Friday.

Paso Robles falls to 1-1, and will face Hanford in a non PAC-7 on the road.

Tennis

St. Joseph 15

Pioneer Valley 3

Jenna Okerblom posted three straight 6-0 sets from the No. 2 singles spot in leading the Knights (2-0) to a non-league victory over the Panthers (0-2).

St. Joseph's top doubles team, Kacie Guggia and Katie McPike, added a 6-0, 6-1, 6-3 sweep to the victory. McPike's sister, No. 1 singles player Ane McPike, beat Irma Contreras 6-0 before being subbed for by Lindsay Jones, who won 6-3, 6-0.

St. Joseph travels to Nipomo for another non-league match on Tuesday, while Pioneer Valley faces Santa Maria, also on Tuesday.

Water Polo

El Dorado Tournament

PLACENTIA - Santa Ynez scored a 7-3 victory over Laguna Hills in tournament action, thanks to two-goal days from John Swift and Bobby Geiger.

Blake Nearn made 14 saves in net for the Pirates (2-1), who return to tournament action today at noon at Brea High, against an opponent to be determined.

Sept. 9, 2006