Yeeeahh! Goleta Champs

In a raucous, thrilling game worthy of the rivalry’s best tradtion, the Royals varsity squad overcame the Chargers of Dos Pueblos in overtime tonight, winning by a final score of 24 – 17. Following a big gain on a James Crook to Max Cavalier on the first play of overtime, San Marcos benefitted from a pass interference penalty againt D.P. in the end zone on third down and goal from the 3 yard line. Two plays later, Manny Hernandez forced his way through the pile and into the end zone for the go-ahead score. The Royals defense then stuffed the only Dos Pueblos chance to match their TD, with Brendan Caldwell forcing a fumble that resulted in a Kirk Renga recovery which ended the game.

It was a complete team victory. The Royals’ defense was challanged by a potent DP offense, but at least four times, possibly more, Royals defensive backs arrived at the Chargers’ receiver at the same instant as the ball, forcing incompletions, many on crucial third down plays. And the San Marcos offense found its passing stride for the biggest output of the season, with James Crook completing at least his first ten passes (some say fourteen) and Max Cavalier grabbing two for touchdowns. Bennie Kirkwood held on to a first-down completion over the middle, going high and holding on despite being upended by the defender at the moment of the catch. And Kevin Blum returned his first varsity interception to help set up a field goal before the half, interrupting what could have turned out to be an insurmountable DP scoring drive. The half ended with San Marcos in front 17 – 10.

San Marcos now turns their attention to powerful Buena High, visiting next week for the last Royals home game of the season, with an early Halloween start time of 6 pm. Then it’s on to Santa Barbara High the following week, as the Royals attempt to complete the City championship and move toward the CIF post-season.

Royals Win! Royals Win!

Valley Stadium erupted with noise tonight — joyous noise — as the 2008 San Marcos football Royals opened their season with a rollicking 10 – 8 victory over the visiting Spartans of Oxnard’s Rio Mesa High. An Alvaro Garcia field goal with 28 seconds remaining in the game provided the winning margin, but the ebb and flow of the game included sharp peaks and valleys in the fortunes of each team until the outcome was finally decided. Rio Mesa had enough time after the San Marcos go-ahead score to unnerve the home crowd as their offense threatened to march into field goal range. As time expired, the Royals’ Kirk Renga cradled his first interception of the season, and the student section of the home stands emptied onto the field as Head Coach Dare Holdren accepted the congratulations of his staff on the long-sought result.

The Spartans had gone ahead 8 – 7 after successfully executing a two-point conversion on a fake from kick formation. They had scored their first six points on a breakaway run by running back Jamaal Perkins to answer the Royals, who had gone ahead 7 – 0 after a sustained third quarter drive capped by a gorgeous completion from QB James Crook to a leaping Max Cavalier in the right corner of the South end zone.

The Royals offense failed to mount serious threats thereafter, but repeatedly gained new life courtesy of defensive takeaways, including a recovery by Junior DL Shawn Harvey close to the Royals’ goal line with about 8 minutes left.  The San Marcos offense couldn’t capitalize. But on the ensuing Rio Mesa possession, Senior DB Parker Carroll jarred the ball loose from a Spartan receiver after a short completion in front of the Royals’ bench. Again, the critical takeaway did not result in San Marcos points, as a field goal attempt failed. With about 2:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, things looked bleak indeed for San Marcos. Almost miraculously, the “D” wasn’t through, as Junior DE Bennie Kirkwood crushed the Rio Mesa running back as he took the handoff. With another fumble recovered by San Marcos, the winning march was finally on.

Fall Practices

Fall practices began on Friday, August 15 at 8:00am. A whole bunch of sweat was expended. Practices transitioned into the School year and a routine has been established for the Fall season.