Even on defense, Cabrillo High lineman Josh Sanders is looking for ways to score.

He's had to with the offense stalling the first four weeks and averaging less than six points per game.

Sanders and the defense did their part against Santa Ynez, chasing quarterback Billy Peters all night Friday, but they harassed him the most when he was stuck in his own end zone with nowhere to go and with no one to throw to.

Peters alluded the defense the first time, but not the second as Sanders dropped him for a safety in the second quarter, giving Cabrillo two points and something it hasn't had much of this year - a lead.

The defense recorded seven sacks and two safeties, sparking the Conquistadores to their first victory of the year as they beat the Pirates 29-14 in a Los Padres League game at Huyck Stadium.

“I knew we were close to the end zone, and whenever we're close, we always try and get that safety,” said Sanders, who finished with two sacks and a batted ball. “I didn't even know it was a safety. Until (my teammates) started yelling for it.”

The Conquistadores (1-4 overall, 1-2 in league) would be heard shouting “safety” a second time, but the loudest chants of the night came after touchdowns.

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Going into Friday, Cabrillo managed to find the end zone just three times. Against Santa Ynez (3-2, 1-1), the Conquistadores surpassed that total, scoring four times, two of those were by quarterback C.J. Simmons.

The offense got back on track, much of it had to do with Simmons' legs, which allowed him to rush for a season-high 104 yards on 18 carries. On a couple of plays, Simmons looked like the Atlanta Falcons' Michael Vick, juking defenders with ease.

The longest run of the night came midway through the second quarter. On a bootleg to the right, Simmons chose to run, following downfield blocks by Josh Blair and Greg Watson and raced in for a 55-yard score.

“I knew it was coming,” said Simmons of his breakout performance after sitting out the first two games with a right broken hand. “Of course I want to say I feel 100 percent, but I know (my hand) is not.

“But I'm going to give it whatever I got.”

Cabrillo needs its pass-run threat if it plans to repeat as league champion.

There are four league games remaining, and Simmons' health is a concern, but he doesn't shy away from hits.

He didn't with 20 seconds left before halftime. His other score came on a 1-yard plunge behind center Brian Lane, putting Cabrillo up 15-7.

The defense set up of the go-ahead touchdown. Peters fumbled on his own 11, and lineman Travis Carlon recovered the ball, adding to a frustrating first half for the Pirates.

Besides turning the ball over twice, the Pirates lost their starting running back Justin Iniguez early in the second. Santa Ynez coach Josh Cunningham said Iniguez tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will most likely be out for the year.

“He's our second string tailback,” said Cunningham of Iniguez, who was filling in for an injured Brad Petersen (ankle). “We went to the third string guy and there was some problems there.”

Santa Ynez couldn't run the ball after Iniguez left. Iniguez had rushed for 42 yards on six carries, but with a non-existent ground attack, the Pirates threw. And they failed for most of the second half.

The Conquistadores didn't allow a first down in the first 17 minutes, 36 seconds of the second half. On practically every down Peters was forced to throw after Cabrillo recorded a safety in the third when Santa Ynez's long snapper delivered the ball over the punter's head and out of the end zone.

Cabrillo led 23-7 after 4-yard touchdown run by Matt Rotondi, which matched the season's touchdown total and gave coach Don Cross something to smile about on the sideline.

“We finally got some plays and some breaks,” said Cross, adding that he was pleased with Simmons' performance and also that of fullback Colby McKissack's (97 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown). “We've been working very hard on being consistent on offense. We took advantage of some field position.”

Oct. 7, 2006