Pirates play the same song vs. Saints

It was a dark and stormy night, and the Santa Maria High football squad (0-3, 2-4) was suffering a blowout defeat.

It was a familiar plot, ending in a 44-0 victory for the visiting Santa Ynez Pirates, except for two elements: The Pirates (2-1, 3-3) had suffered two painful blowout losses themselves this season, and the Saints, despite being outscored 123-0 in their last two games, still showed some spirit.

Santa Maria coach Raul Castillo said he had a lot of reasons to be proud of his team following the game.

“Mentally, physically and emotionally you discipline them all season long to keep in the game even with a score like that.

“We kept coming, and our guy give us everything they've got. You can't ask for any more than that.”

Ryan Duran started at quarterback for the Saints, and made his presence known all over the field, starting with a 25 yard kickoff return to begin the game.

The Saints stalled though, and following a booming punt by Trask Huntley Santa Ynez took over on their own 21 yard line.

The Pirates ran, ran and ran some more, starting with big fullback Zach Andrews, and ending with a left sweep by Jeff Rosecrance to score from seven yards out.

“We were just executing, and were able to keep busting the ball up the middle,” said Andrews, a senior captain for his team.

The Pirates defense was executing as well.

The Saints started their second possession on their 19-yard-line, but a bad snap sent Duran scrambling to collect the ball at the three.

Defensive lineman Patrick Bashforth tore through the defense on the ensuing third and 28, earning a sack and two points for Santa Ynez.

The Saints hung tough, with Duran earning a little payback by flattening Santa Ynez returner Casey Eubanks on the kick off return.

On a third and short Alfredo Rojas scooped up a rare fumbled ball by Andrews to give the Saints the ball back.

Santa Maria was not to hold the ball for long however. Duran tried for a pass over the middle on first down, but instead of red, the white jersey of safety Spencer Angel rose to meet the ball. The Angel turned on the Saints quickly, giving Santa Ynez the ball back only seven yards short of the end zone. The Pirates lead rusher Justin Iniguez ran the ball the rest of the way in on the next play.

The second quarter was not kind to the Saints, with Iniguez rushing for his second touchdown of the game, followed by second string Pirates Nick Phillips and Eric Herrera earning their own six.

Following half time, the Saints, down by 37 could have been excused for rolling over. Instead they came out with a tightened defense, and the clear intent of getting on the board.

“I like their spirit. They don't stop playing,” said Santa Ynez head coach Josh Cunningham.

On the kick off, it was again Duran with the open field tackle of the returner, this time assisted by Francisco Rivera.

The Santa Ynez run express kept going, and Parker Colvin would finish the drive with a three yard run, sprung by a lead block by Andrews.

Santa Maria would get the ball back, manage only their second first-down of the game, and have to punt.

Down by 44 the Saints still showed spirit, pinning their opponents to the 3-yard line, eventually forcing the Pirates to punt from deep in their own territory.

Duran came out swinging, hitting speedy receiver Josh Pipersburg on a deep route on first down to take the Saints to the 31 of Santa Ynez.

The Saints would try to settle for a 43-yard field goal, but the ball lacked the elevation.

A good defensive series for Santa Maria gave them the ball back in short order, when Duran again threw on first down, hitting Pipersburg with a bullet over the middle. The receiver broke his coverage tackle, and took off for the end zone, finally halted at the 3-yard line.

The stands exploded in cheers.

With time running out, the Saints took four shots at the end zone, only to have the Pirates keep them just inches short.

The Saints will travel to Lompoc to play Cabrillo next Friday, at 7:30 p.m.

While Santa Ynez will try to improve on their two-game league winning streak against Pioneer Valley, playing at Santa Ynez beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Morro Bay 19, Pioneer Valley 3

Logan Budd did everything he could to keep the Pirates - ranked No. 1 in the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division poll - undefeated for the season.

Budd threw for one touchdown, ran for another, and kicked two field goals in improving the Pirates to 3-0 in LPL play (6-0 overall) and spoiling the Panthers' first-ever Homecoming game.

The quarterback only connected on five of his 15 attempts, but four of the completions were for double-digit yardage, including a 22-yard strike to Ryan Lugo with 45 seconds left in the first half. After a Panthers turnover on the ensuing drive, the Pirates turned around and ended the half with an 18-yard field goal by Budd.

Budd himself outgained the Panthers, totaling 161 yards (94 passing, 67 rushing) to Pioneer Valley's 115 (17 passing, 98 rushing). He later added an eight-yard scoring run in the third quarter, and a 27-yard field goal with 2:25 to play to ice the game.

Pioneer Valley (1-3, 3-4) managed its only points when Andres Montiel kicked a 26-yard field goal early in the third quarter. The scoring drive was sparked in part by a 62-yard return of the half's opening kickoff by Albert Squires, putting the Panthers deep in Pirate territory.

The Panthers' defense did more than their fair share, holding Budd to 67 rushing yards, and running back Duran Gonzalez to only 18 yards on 11 carries.

Sophomore Nick Rucobo gave the stagnant Panthers offense a spark for a while in the first half, coming in for the first drive of the second quarter and leading a drive to the Pirates' three-yard line. The drive stalled, and Montiel's 20-yard field-goal attempt was blocked.

Rucobo finished with 13 carries for 41 yards, but took two big sacks late in the ballgame.

Atascadero 34, Arroyo Grande 0

The Greyhounds opened PAC-7 play by running wild on the Eagles at Memorial Stadium.

Nick Tenhaeff rushed for 246 yards and four touchdowns in the victory, while Trevor Holloway had eight carries for 48 yards and a second-quarter touchdown for the Greyhounds (1-0, 5-1).

The Greyhounds posted their third consecutive shutout on defense, holding the Eagles to 49 yards of total offense, including no passing yards.

Oct. 13, 2007