In a battle between pirates, it was the visiting Morro Bay buccaneers who were victorious over Santa Ynez, 34-20.

The game between the northern and southern Pirates meant different things to each side. For the home team, playoff hopes already dashed, it was a chance to celebrate the seniors on the squad, playing together for the last time.

For Morro Bay, it was about bouncing back from a 27-19 loss to St. Joseph and missing out on a piece of the Los Padres League championship.

“It's always good going into the playoffs with a win, and some momentum,” said Morro's quarterback Logan Budd. “We took the loss to St. Joe as a motivater-- we couldn't win league but we still wanted a better seed for CIF.”

Santa Ynez won the toss, but would go four and out. The southern Pirates defensive line would return the favor, Andrew Brown stopping the Morro run on two consecutive tackles at scrimmage, to force the fourth down punt.

Then Budd struck with an interception of Santa Ynez's star quarterback Billy Peters on his first attempted pass of the game, running it back for a 55 yard score.

The home team Pirates showed their dedication to win with their next possession. Starting on their own eight yard line, the Santa Ynez boys in black would travel 92 yards to break Peters into the end zone on the quarterback sneak.

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The home team's momentum would carry over to the Santa Ynez defense, as Budd's second pass attempt would be picked off by Kyle McQuitty.

“We came out hard and played like it was our last game,” said Brown, a senior captain for Santa Ynez.

The Santa Ynez Pirates would start another drive, only to be stymied on a fourth and long pass attempt when Morro's defensive lineman Jerome Long got in Peters face, forcing an incomplete pass.

The northern Pirates began to pull away from there.

Showed why they were the number two team in the LPL, Kevin Hames would score for Morro with a 28 yard field goal. Then the stalwart defense of Ryan Cummings and Kevin McCool would force another four-and-out, giving their offense the ball back on Santa Ynez's 48. Budd (6 for 9 attempts and 120 yards passing) would have one of his best throws of the game when he hit Long 20 yards deep. McQuitty on the coverage almost had the interception, but Long held on. Budd would run in for a touchdown a few plays later, and score on the two-point conversion.

McQuitty had his revenge soon enough, catching a nine yard touchdown strike from Peters just a minute later, as the home team stayed scrappy.

“Billy read it perfectly. I was just concerned with getting a foot inbound,” said McQuitty of his leaping catch in double coverage.

The Santa Ynez two point conversion attempt would fail, leaving the score 18-13 with only half a minute left in the half.

Morro added to their half-time cushion however, as Budd launched a 47 yard pass to Sammy Sanchez. The surprise deep bomb, set up a literally last second field goal by Hames to make it 21-13 at the half.

The Morro bay parliament of running backs would come on strong in the second half, helping the boys in white and blue score 13 more unanswered points with a 30 yard Budd scamper and a 13 yard run by Ronnie Cain, who earned most of his 66 yards in an eight minute rushing drive by Morro Bay to eat up the clock in the fourth quarter.

“We just got in a groove that fourth quarter,” said Morro Bay head coach John Andree.

With two minutes left Peters would help lead Santa Ynez to one more touchdown drive with two minutes remaining.

For the Pirates of Santa Ynez (2-5, 4-6), a strong start with wins against Paso Robles and Templeton ends without a playoff berth.

“It was fun to see all the seniors get to play tonight,” said Santa Ynez head coach Josh Cunningham. “My kids played with a lot of heart, and I'm proud of them.”

“Anytime you can come into Santa Ynez and get a win, it's a good win,” said Andree.

Morro Bay (5-2, 7-3), will set sail for the CIF post season with the second place league seed.

“We're hoping to get a home game,” said Andree.

The CIF tournament bracket will be released this weekend.

Nov. 11, 2006