After a moment of silence for long-time "chain-gang" crew member Alan Probst who recently passed away, the Cabrillo Conquistadors celebrated their first victory of the season by defeating the Santa Maria Saints 29-21 at Huyck Stadium Friday night.
It was a very strange game in some ways. Santa Maria opened the game in, and frequently used a variation of the old Notre Dame box formation. They also used the 'wildcat', but gained must of their yardage via the pass. Cabrillo, on the other hand, never threw a pass.
The Saints opened the game looking like an offensive juggernaut, but had trouble moving the ball all night. Cabrillo scored on 3 of 5 first half possessions - the other two being a missed FG and taking a knee to run out the clock, but could not put offensive points on the board in half number two.
The Saints first play of the game was a 45 yard blur of a run down the east sideline by Terrell Dillon, but they only picked up 95 total yards rushing all night. Santa Maria also turned the ball over three times in the 1st half (2 fumbles & a pick), and, after halftime, turned it over on a safety and twice on downs.
In short, it was big plays on offense from the visitors, and steady offense for the Conquistadors after big plays by their defense.
Santa Maria took the opening kickoff and drove 77 yards in 5 plays for the opening score - on a play that was the initial pass of the game. It was a 31 yard Chris Valdez launch that went through the hands of a CHS defender and tipped right into the hands of Steven Reyes. The Guillermo Rodriguez kick put the Saints up by seven.
Cabrillo responded with a 13 play, 65 yard TD drive that featured Jordan Watson. He had 6 runs for 40 yards, including the 4 yard capper. The extra point attempt failed, so the Conqs were still down one. That didn't last long. The Saints ensuing possession was a 3-and-out, and Pat Cook returned the resulting punt 34 yards, setting up a 9 yard Kyle Avilanoza blast up the middle for another TD. Fernando Osua's kick made it 13-7.
Santa Maria picked up a first down, but their second pass attempt of the evening was intercepted and returned 28 yards by Jordan Watson, putting the Conqs in business at the 16-yardline of the visitors. QB T.J. Babuata finished off the drive with back-to-back runs of 9 and 1 yards, but also finished off his participation in the contest. He took a blow to the knee, which caused some "looseness" in the knee, and the staff pulled him from the game as a precaution. Avilanoza moved to QB, and Sisto Solis took his spot in the backfield.
Following a Santa Maria punt and a missed 32 yard field goal, the Cabrillo defense would put the offense back in business deep in Saints territory. A holding penalty and a SAC/ Forced Fumble set up the Conqs at the SM 7 yardline. Cabrillo would not waste time, Solis carried for 4, and Watson went the rest of the way to extend the lead to 27-7.
Santa Maria gave the Conqs a scare - a 36 yard completion into Cabrillo's side of the field, but then fumbled again. Avilanoza took a knee and led the team into the locker room up 20 at halftime.
During the break, previously announced Homecoming King Paul Rhen, was joined by Homecoming Queen Katie O'Malley. She was crowned by the '08 Queen 'Pinky' Dobbins.
The second half began with the only successful onside kick of the 3 attempted by the Saints in the half. And, like the game opener, Santa Maria used the pass to strike deep. A 33 yard bomb on 3rd & 10, set them up on the Conq 8, and they scored 4 plays later on a 6 yard pass to Jonathan Galvan.
Cabrillo would punt on its next 4 (14 plays for 20 yards), and the Saints punted on their next two. While attempting to punt a third time, they had the kick blocked through the endzone for a safety by Brandon Nicastro. Cabrillo put themselves in difficulty by drawing 2 holding penalties and allowing a SAC their next time on the field, so the Saints got the ball at their own 39 with 9:35 left, trailing 29-13.
It was the aerial attack they turned to, although Cabrillo helped out with 20 yards in penalties, including a pass interference flag. The Saints picked up 15 on a Brian Delgadillo reception, 7 more on a Valdez scramble, and a 21 yard TD catch by Daniel De la Cruz. A throw by Valdez to De la Cruz then netted 2 more points, and the Saints were only 8 back at 29-21.
Taking the ball with 8:39 remaining, Cabrillo turned the ball over on downs. The Saints gave it back the same way, but not before a wide open reciever dropped a pass at the Conq 12 yardline. Cabrillo fumbled the ball away, but Santa Maria again returned it on downs. Finally, with just under a minute left, Cabrillo had Avilanoza run out the clock by going to a knee on 3 straight plays.
Category, Cabrillo SM
1st Downs: 7 , 9
Rushes- Yards: 59- 179, 34-95
Passing 0-0-0, 10-21-1
Passing Yards 0 , 169
Total Plays/Yards 59/179 , 55/270
Rushing: Cabrillo - Jordan Watson 18-68 (2TD), Sisto Solis 10-39, Kyle Avilanoza 12-30 (TD), Caleb Mickens 14-28, T.J. Babauta 2-10 (TD), Nolan Williams 1-1. Santa Maria - Terrell Dillon 10-78, Matt Castillo 4-20, Chris Valdez 11- 6, 4 others 9- (-4).
Passing: SM - Chris Valdez 10-21-1, 3 TD, 169 yards
Receiving: SM- Brian Delgadillo 3-65 (TD), Terrell Dillon 3-35, , Daniel De la Cruz 2-44, Steven Reyes 1-31 (TD), Jonathan Galvan 1-6 (TD).
Other Cabrillo Stats: Fernando Osua - 4 kickoffs for 216 yards (54.0 ave), 4 punts for 141 yards (35.25 ave), 3-4 EP, MFG (32 yd). Jordan Watson - 1 interception (28 yards). Fumble recoveries - Jalen Davenport, Nolan Williams. Onside kick recovery - Ricardo Conticello.
Other Cabrillo Results
Junior Varsity: Cabrillo 42, Santa Maria 11
Freshman: Cabrillo 31, Santa Maria 14
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