Warriors' magic runs out vs. Tigers

There was no Abracadabra for the Comeback Kids this time.

The magic went poof - fizzled, dissolved in the rain - and the Righetti Warriors fell to the San Luis Obispo Tigers 14-9 Friday night at Warrior Stadium in Orcutt.

The Warriors' magic failed when they needed it the most - on their last chance to pull out a victory in their PAC-7 League opener.

Two defensive mistakes were the difference between Righetti (5-2, 1-1 PAC-7) moving to 6-1 on the season. Two great passes gave the Tigers (4-1-1, 1-0) a win in their league opener.

“Our defense played very well except for those two plays,” said Righetti head coach Gary Wilson. “Things like that can happen in this game.”

Unlike Righetti's thrilling come-from-behind overtime win over Pioneer Valley in Week Zero or last week's comeback victory over PAC-7 rival Lompoc, this week's last gasp left the Warriors breathless.

On a damp night in the Santa Maria Valley, both offenses struggled to find their footing.

Righetti's rushing attack had negative yardage on the night - minus-four yards total. Running back Michael Alexander managed just one yard on eight carries, held for no gain on three of them. Quarterback Justin Level lost four yards on 12 carries and was sacked five times.

“We just couldn't get that big push we needed from our offensive line,” said Wilson. “But we're a lot better team than we showed tonight. We've got some great kids and we'll bounce back.”

SLO's ground game ground out 86 yards. Running back Jay McElearney picked up 112 yards on 28 carries - an average of four yards each time he touched the ball - but quarterback David Schultz gave much of that back, losing 25 yards, mostly on the strength of four Righetti sacks.

The two game-changing plays were a 66-yard Schultz to Robert Rose touchdown pass and a 29-yard TD hookup from Schultz to Zachary Thorne.

The drizzle that covered the area for most of the day stayed away for most of the game. But it still rained on Righetti's parade.

Both defenses dominated the game early.

With the first quarter winding down, Righetti forced a SLO fumble. Righetti's Tyler Boyd fell on it and the Warriors had a first-and-goal at the SLO 10.

The SLO defense didn't budge. Righetti had to settle for a 26-yard Cody Miller field goal and a 3-0 lead with 1:05 remaining in the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, the Righetti passing game came to life.

Starting on their own 11 yard line, Level threw to wide receiver Adam Wilson. Wilson was held by the defense for a 15-yard penalty. Righetti now had first down on their 26.

Level connected for 20-yards with Wilson. A 6-yard run from Alexander and a pass interference call against SLO on a pass to Justin Rucker gave Righetti a first down at the San Luis Obispo 33.

Then two quick passes to Wilson - for 16 yards and 17 yards and a touchdown - put the Warriors up 9-0 (the point after failed) with 6:54 remaining in the half.

The Tigers then struck like lightning on this rainy night.

On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Schultz went deep to Rose - passing from his own 34 down to the Righetti 35 - where Rose hauled it in and raced into the end zone. Michael Connely's point after pulled SLO to 9-7 with 6:42 left in the half.

With just over 8 minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Tigers began the long march to victory.

Starting at their own 20 yard line, SLO ground out an 80-yard, 12-play drive that drained 6:05 off the clock.

The drive relied mostly on the running of McElearney. But that running set up the pass.

McElearney ran for six, seven, four, 20, minus-one,

With the defense keying on McElearney, Schultz hit Alexander Turbow for 13.

Then it was back to McElearney for no gain, then two yards on a screen pass.

Schultz play-faked to McElearney and hit Turbow for 15. Another play-fake set up the game-winner, the 29-yard pass to Thorne.

With the PAT, SLO had a 14-9 lead with 2:09 left in the third quarter.

Righetti had five more chances to come back. Three of those drives ended with interceptions - including the Warriors' last chance.

With 1:09 remaining in the game, Righetti started its final drive at its own 20. Passes to Austin Sedin, Matt Miller and Travis Switzer got the Warriors down to the SLO 38. The Tigers attacked, blitzing Level who hurried his throw. SLOs' Jason Fitzsimmons intercepted and Righetti's comeback bid was over.

“They just put so much pressure on us that it threw us out of our rhythm,” said Wilson. “We've got some adjustments to make this week in practice but we'll be ready for next week.”

San Luis Obispo hosts Atascadero next Friday night. Righetti heads up to Paso Robles as PAC-7 plays continues. Kickoff for all games is at 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 13, 2007