The Nipomo Titans hoped to soar with a retooled offense in their season opener before the home crowd. Instead, their opponents the Bishop Diego Falcons sailed to a 21-13 win with thanks to a dominating fourth quarter drive.

Mason Sperakos connected with senior receiver Kyle Webb twice, from 30 and 69 yards out to ignite the stands and keep the game close, but the Falcons proved to be the more consistent team.

Leading by only one point, the Santa Barbara area visitors started their first fourth quarter possession on their own 30-yard-line. Coach Tom Crawford's Falcons took almost six minutes off the clock, as they drove all the way to Nipomo's 3-yard-line.

Crowding the line, the Falcons snuck an unnoticed David Rennick to the corner of the end zone, where quarterback Christian Winnewisser (11/16, 176 yards) floated an easy pass for the score.

“We just really caught them looking for run,” said Crawford of the play.

The extra point was good, and the Titans began their next possession with 75 yards to go, with 4:18 left on the clock and eight points to score.

Nipomo's Ray Cano would move the chains once for his team with a strong carry, but two stuffed runs and an incomplete pass would force a fourth and long. Nipomo's returning quarterback Mason Sperakos (8-18, 148 yards) sent three receivers down the left side, but the pass fell short, and Bishop Diego took over on downs, and ran out the clock.

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The Falcons took the lead on their opening drive. A pass to Art Gonzalez brought Bishop Diego to the 7-yard-line. Three plays later Winnewisser would punch in on a QB keeper from one yard out.

Skinner capped another Falcon drive at the start of the second quarter to make it 14-0.

Fighting the potential blowout, the Nipomo defense stemmed the flood. Late second quarter they stalled out a Falcon drive on the Nipomo 17.

The Titans offense reciprocated. True to coach Russ Edwards word, Nipomo took to the air to do their damage, instead of the traditional smash mouth approach. Saddled with a third and long following one of Nipomo's eight penalties, the senior quarterback Sperakos aired one out, and found Webb, well behind Bishop Diego's corner. Webb caught the ball on Bishop's 40, and did not look back.

Nipomo defender Nathan Mendoza almost single-handedly set up his team's second score. A big third down sack forced a Falcon punt, which he then blocked.

Sperakos' second touchdown toss to Webb came on the next play.

“The boys rallied really well,” said Edwards who called the first half performance as signs of growing pains.

“We'll be fine. The effort was great all night long.”

Oaks Christian 49, Lompoc 14

WESTLAKE VILLAGE - Chris Potter did his best Jimmy Clausen impression, as the defending CIF State champion Lions routed the Braves in the season opener for both squads.

Potter threw for two touchdowns and ran for three more in his first start at quarterback since Clausen's graduation and move to Notre Dame earlier this year.

Clausen and Potter teamed up as quarterback and wide receiver, respectively, last year to lead the Lions to a perfect 15-0 season, including a 49-0 victory at Huyck Stadium over the Braves in last season's opener.

Potter moved under center and moved the Lions quickly, scoring 42 first-half points. The win was the 47th consecutive victory for Oaks Christian, breaking the CIF-Southern Section record for wins.

Lompoc outscored Oaks Christian in the second half, with running back Favi Vargas scoring a one-yard touchdown halfway through the third quarter, and Masson Blow broke loose for a 31-yard touchdown run late in the fourth.

Blow finished for 87 yards rushing on 11 carries, while quarterback Daryl Aguilar was 8-for-11 for 59 yards in the air to go along with his 54 rushing yards.

Lions running back Malcolm Jones, the replacement for USC-bound Marc Tyler, finished with 161 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Atascadero 42, Wash. Union 22

The Greyhounds totaled 347 rushing yards and scored all six of its touchdowns on the ground against the Panthers, led by Andrew Hernandez's 76 yards.

Washington Union quarterback Ebahn Feathers ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the loss, adding 117 passing yards and a third score in the air.

Templeton 46, Tranquility 0

TEMPLETON - A trio of Eagles each cracked the 100-yard barrier on the ground as the hosts scored an easy season-opening victory over the visiting Tigers.

Ben Terry had 144 yards and two touchdowns, while Kris Dearie had 128 yards and Garrett Baldwin 104 yards on the ground.

Beto Solorio led Tranquility with 80 yards on the ground, while Joaquin Rodriguez added 40 yards in the loss.

Glenn Wallace can be reached at 688-5522, Ext. 6007 or gwallace@santamariatimes.com. Sports Writer Dan Watson contributed to this report.

September 1, 2007