Braves Down & Aguilar Out

FOOTBALL

Varsity

San Marcos 7, @ Lompoc 0

[Story 1] [Story 2] [Official Lompoc Stats]
The Lompoc Braves took two tough losses at Huyck Stadium on Friday night. The first was a 7-0 loss to the San Marcos Royals, and the second was a broken collarbone incurred by QB/RB/FS/PR/KR and back-up punter, Evan Aguilar. The junior, creatively listed at 5-9, 170, was injured on a 3rd period SAC that drew a facemasking penalty, but not a 1st down.

Ryan Bower, who had not played to that point due to his own injury, entered the game to replay 4th down. He lofted a pass toward the end zone pylon and Drew Sapp, but the pass sailed harmlessly out of bounds. It was one of several scoring chances the the Braves missed.

Head Coach Robin Luken summed it up with " The defense played well, only giving up that touchdown on their 1st possession, but the offense sputtered."

The Royals lone score came the first time they touched the ball, on a 9 play, 77 yard drive that took five minutes off the 1st quarter clock. It also accounted for a large chunk of the visitors 51 play, 195 yard offensive totals. Almost all their attack was on the ground, as they gained 8 yards on 1-4 passing. Actually almost all of their attack was senior RB Kyle Miller who rushed 30 times for 135 yards.

Lompoc had three major problems last week with the Pirates - 5 turnovers, 11 penalties (90 yards), and minimal offensive production. Did those deficiencies continue on Friday ?

Four turnovers (2 fumbles & 2 pics), three in the 2nd half. Turnovers with horrible timing, including a fumble inside the visitors one yardline, and a muffed punt with 1:45 left in the game. In addition, they had a field goal blocked and once turned the ball over on downs.

Tallying five penalties (40 yards) was a marked improvment, but the ones committed helped sustain several San Marcos possessions. Three of the five were facemask violations.

But the biggest disapointment so far this year has been the anemic offense, especially the lack of an effective running game - the traditional strenth of the local squad. A 33 carry for 51 yard performance at Nipomo was followed by a 28 carry, 104 yard output versus Santa Ynez, with two Michael Haynes runs (29 & 24 yards) accounting for nearly half the total.

On Friday, as part of an 42 play, 159 yard total offensive output, the Braves posted only 60 rushing yards on 27 attempts, including 9 yards (13 carries) in the second half.

Looks like there is still work to be done.

Other Valley Scores

Cabrillo Varsity @ Scott O'Leary Stadium

Dos Pueblos 17, Cabrillo 0

Lompoc Lower Levels [Thursday]
San Marcos JV 17, Lompoc JV 0
and from an unconfirmed report
Lompoc Frosh 48, San Marcos Frosh 7