It was a defensive battle as Pioneer Valley (2-3, 4-4 overall) slugged it out against the Santa Ynez Pirates (2-2, 3-4 overall)

But in the end the Panthers won by a nose. Or rather a foot- The right foot of Andres Montiel which was responsible for all the points in the 9-0 Los Padres League win.

Montiel, who put the pig skin through the uprights from 43, 42 and 36 yards out, broke a three-game losing skid by Pioneer Valley, simultaneously stopping the two-game win momentum of Santa Ynez.

“We needed that,” said Pioneer Valley coach Greg Dickinson after the match.

Following a 44-0 field day against Santa Maria, the Pirates struggled mightily to produce any offense, with no first downs in the first half, and ending with only 70 yards of offense.

“We pitched a bad ball, had turnovers, too many mental errors,” said Santa Ynez head coach Josh Cunningham.

“My hat's off to PV too. The kids reacted well, quick kids and well coached,” he added.

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The Panther's offense had their own missteps. On their first possession the visitors drove from their own 28-yard-line before running back Dan Ando was denied on a third and four inside run play. Facing a fourth and one on the Pirates 13-yard-line Pioneer Valley lined up to punt.

A bad snap had holder Josiah Morales trying for a fake instead, but the Pirates Spencer Angel made the open field tackle.

On the ensuing possession however, the Pirates center sent the first down snap way over quarterback Blake DuBois head, forcing him to fall on it on his own 4-yard-line. Santa Ynez punted three downs later and the first half ended in a scoreless draw.

In the second quarter the Panthers drove into Pirate territory again, finding it difficult, but not impossible to run against their line. Earning a first down on the Santa Ynez 16-yard-line however, the Panthers had two run plays stuffed by defensive lineman Riley Gauld, three straight penalty flags and an incomplete pass, leaving the offense with a fourth and 20.

In stepped Montiel, whose 43-yard attempt had just enough elevation.

“We're a new school and all, but that's a school record” said Dickinson.

Penalties cost the Panthers 80 yards in total, and helped an already stingy Santa Ynez defense stall every one of their drives. Montiel's range however, ensured the Panthers consolation points each time.

“He's a clutch kicker,” praised Angel, who came perilously close to two of Montiel's attempts. “Both times I thought I had it.”

Pioneer Valley is on road versus Templeton next week for another league battle.

Santa Ynez hosts St. Joseph in the Pirates' Homecoming game. Both LPL games kick off at 7:30 p.m.

Atascadero 15, SLO 3

The defenses ruled the night at Frank Holt Field in San Luis Obispo, but the Greyhounds were able to get past the host Tigers to remain perfect in PAC-7 League action.

Nick Tenhaeff rushed for 110 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown in the win for the Greyhounds (2-0, 6-1), adding a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Norlock in the effort.

Atascadero's defense held the Tigers (1-1, 4-2-1) to six rushing yards. San Luis Obispo's only points came on a 43-yard Rob Nadalsky field goal in the second quarter, making the score 3-2 in the Tigers' favor at the half.

Norlock had four catches for 47 yards and the touchdown for Atascadero.

Morro Bay 34, Nipomo 0

The Pirates, ranked No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section Northwest Division, continued their roll through the Los Padres League by beating the Titans.

Logan Budd rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown, and threw for 62 yards and two scores, finding the end zone for a 43-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Budd's first TD pass was a 35-yard strike to tight end Manuel Lujan in the second quarter. In the fourth quarter, he struck again on a three-yard scoring toss to Gage Wetzel, who had three total touchdowns on the night.

Wetzel had only two carries for four yards, but both were for touchdowns (one yard, three yards).

Oct. 20, 2007