Pitman found the holes Friday night to overcome an early deficit and score a 22-12 win over Arroyo Grande in a non-league football game at Doug Hitchen Stadium.

The Eagles (1-2) got the home crowd in the game early when Reade Lobdill scored a two-yard touchdown just three minutes into the first quarter.

That was set up by a 30 yard pass from Eagles quarterback Dan Pedrini to Ian Walton.

Then, on the Prides' kickoff return, the ball squirted out of Kris Dahlgren's hands at the 24-yard line and Arroyo Grande's Sean McCuen dove on the loose ball.

Pedrini found Lobdill four plays later with a pass up the middle and Lobdill plowed his way into the endzone for a six-yard touchdown.

But that was the last the Eagles would see of the endzone.

The Pride (2-1) rushed for 334 yards against battle-damaged Eagles. The Turloc team of the Central California Conference was led by Kris Dahlgren with 119 yards on 16 carries, a touchdown and a field goal.

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Teammate Johnny Castro contributed 106 yards on 14 carries and scored two touchdowns. And Stefan Palacio scrambled for 103 yards on 11 carries.

Pitman's offensive line got much of the credit from their head coach Brandon Harris.

“Our backs are young and working hard,” Harris said. “That offensive line did a good job.”

Eagles' coach Jon Huss said injuries were another big factor in the loss.

“Injuries have wiped us out,” Huss said. “We put the finger in the dike. We kept it close and had opportunities to win.”

Pitman evened up the score to 12-12 by the end of the first quarter.

The Pride marched from their own 30-yard line to score the first touchdown with 3:39 left in the quarter on Castro's two yard run.

The Eagles were then forced to punt after going three and out.

On Pitman's first play of its next drive, Eagles' Matt Lynch made a great tackle at the eight yard line to keep Palacio from the scoring after he broke loose for a 39 yard run.

But Castro made a sweeping 2-yard run up the right side to tie up the game with seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The Pride took the lead on Dahlgren's eight-yard run with four minutes left in the half. He also kicked the extra point for a 19-12 game .

Lobdill said losing the lead early was frustrating and that injuries have been taking there toll on the team.

“No depth at the defensive line hurt us,” Lobdill said. “But we adjusted in the second half.”

The Eagles had their next best scoring chance in the third quarter with nine minutes left on the clock.

Pedrini completed a pass from his own 40-yard line to Lynch and he darted up the field for a touchdown. But it was called back due to a penalty.

The Eagles then marched up field for the next six minutes helped along by a 15-yard personal foul penalty on Pitman and a nice fake punt by Eric Marshall on 4th and 9 to get a first down.

At the 13 yard line, on 4th down and 8, Pedrini made a near-perfect pass to Marshall who was covered tight in the endzone but it bounced off his outstretched fingers.

Huss said those two chances could have kept his team in the game.

“This team made the appropriate executions and used proper mechanics, it just didn't pay off,” Huss said. “If we have anything left due to our injuries we should be competitive (in league).”

Pedrini threw for 44 yards and a touchdown but he and his receivers were only able to conect on three of his 13 passes.

“They have to learn to convert and make plays,” Huss added. “There are no do-overs in football.”

Pitman scored the final points of the night on Dahlgren's 25 yard field goal with six minutes left on the clock.

The Eagles rushed for 132 yards and were led by Matt Valez with 53 yards on six carries.

Harris said he was proud of Snodgras for his effort. The sophomore was pulled up recently from the junior varsity to fill in for starting quarterback Brandin Hagens.

He completed five of six passes for 59 yards.

The Eagles will have a bye next week. Pitman will take on Merced in its league opener.

Sept. 23, 2006