“Defensively we had a shaky first half then we made a couple of adjustments at halftime and held them to seven second half points,” Coach Gomez said. “We forced four turnovers and really took them out of their game in the second half.”Gomez said he was pleased with the teams’ conditioning. “We did not fade in the fourth quarter,” he said. “In fact it seemed as though we got stronger later in the game. We’re excited to be 1-0 and even more excited at the prospect of going 2-0. We have a lot of work to do before our home opener this Friday, but it’s a lot easier to get after it with a win under or belts.”The varsity has their first home game Friday against Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Montabello at 7:30 p.m.
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Quarterback Spencer Fox excelled in his first time out as QB. He ran for two of Santa Paula’s five TDs. |
Cardinal varsity celebrates first game win at Nipomo
September 14, 2005
Sports
The Santa Paula varsity football team showed what they’re made of Friday as they overpowered the Nipomo Titans for a 34-21 win in their season opener.
Quarterback Spencer Fox led the charge for the Cardinals in his first time out in the QB job. In the past, Fox, a senior had played as both a wide receiver and defensive back. “The offense did a phenomenal job,” said Head Coach Ed Gomez. “Blake Cowan and Max Montoya pounded the ball between tackles and Spencer Fox provided the outside running game and passing. The offensive line did a solid job blocking and protecting the passer. It was a total team effort.”Fox hit the end zone for the Cards first TD with 2:37 left in the first quarter. This after Cowan and Montoya, along with Fox moved the ball to within yards of the Nipomo goal line.The Titans fought back in the second quarter, scoring two touchdowns, giving them a 14-7 edge. With just 12 seconds left in the half, Fox took the ball from the 8-yard-line to tie the game.As the second half opened Carlos Acosta took the kickoff to the 34-yard-line. Montoya and T.J. Cushing followed with first downs and Montoya got his first TD. This put the Cards ahead 20-14.With under a minute left in the quarter, Victor Rodriguez took a long pass from Fox for a touchdown. Fox followed that with a run into the end zone for two extra points. The quarter ended with the Cards ahead 28-14.Blake Cowan added another TD in the fourth quarter and Nipomo managed another TD but couldn’t get past the Santa Paula defense.
