Carpinteria football coach Ben Hallock faced a big problem during Friday night’s football game at Santa Ynez: He ran out of quarterbacks.
His Nos. 1 and 2 signal callers both suffered injuries in the first half and couldn’t continue.
So what did the 35-year coaching veteran do?
BY BARRY PUNZAL – PRESIDIOSPORTS.COM
“We called a time out and started having tryouts on the sideline,” he told the crowd at the first Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon of the 2014-15 school year at Harry’s Plaza Café on Monday. “We were trying all kinds of guys, trying to find out who can hold on to a snap the rest of the half. Oscar won the job.”
Oscar Garcia, a junior running back who rushed for three touchdowns in a 35-point first half, managed the remainder game at the quarterback position for the Warriors, who held on to win 35-27.
Hallock said the tryout during the timeout was Garcia’s only practice before taking charge of the offense.
“At halftime, we actually got to talk to him a little bit,” said Hallock as the crowd laughed. “He did a good job.”
For his effort, Garcia was named the Athlete of the Week.
“We played very gritty,” Hallock said of the team’s performance. “We managed to get first downs and keep the ball away from them, and that was the key.”
Hallock recognized the offensive line for making it possible for Garcia to get the job done. Those linemen are Greg Elizararraz, George Jorge Arroyo, Greg Zapien-Ybarra and Jose Pancho Sanchez.
“They had an outstanding game against Santa Ynez,” said Hallock.
The Warriors play at Nipomo on Friday night.
PREP FOOTBALL
San Marcos: Royals coach Anthony Linebaugh is anxious to see how his football team responds after suffer a tough overtime loss to Rio Mesa last Friday night.
“I told my team I’m really looking forward to this week because we’re at a crossroads to see how we respond,” he said. “There’s an old saying, adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it, so I’m looking forward to seeing our effort improve this week.”
Linebaugh brought to the luncheon linebackers Nathan Coffey and Josh Foley. Coffey is also the team’s kicker and punter. “He’s a throwback in terms of doing more than one thing, “ the coach said of Coffey, who made two field goals in the Rio Mesa game, including a 39-yarder to send the game into overtime.
Foley had 11 tackles, two sacks, a blocked PAT and a tackle for a loss in the Rio Mesa game. “Afterward we had a talk and he said, ‘I got to get better,’ Linebaugh said. “So, if he’s getting better, I’m looking forward to that.”
The Royals play at Pacifica on Friday.
Dos Pueblos: The injuries have been piling up for the 0-2 Chargers, but coach Nate Mendoza was quick to say, “We’re not going to make excuses. We’re just going to get tougher. We pulled some kids off JV this week and we’re gong to see some competitive battles between some of the older guys and some sophomores.”
Mendoza introduced captains Angel Davison and Caesar Flores. He said both players are keeping things positive on the team.
Dos Pueblos is home against Santa Ynez on Friday night.
Santa Barbara: JT Stone made is luncheon debut as the head coach of the Dons. His team is still looking for its first win.
“Like a lot of guys, mistakes, mistakes, mistakes, mistakes have killed us,” he said. “We got to get past that and get better.”
Santa Barbara had a potential tying touchdown called back in its 28-21 loss to St. Joseph. The Knights scored on a 70-yard run to win the game.
“We got to go back to the drawing board and learn how to win,” Stone said.
Stone introduced Isia Figueroa, who is part of Santa Barbara’s running back committee, and all-league cornerback Russell Enholm. He held St. Joseph’s talented receiver Chris Bargainer to just two catches.
“What I love about Russ is I came to him and told him, ‘You got a job to do.’ And he got it done. Having a kid like this puts us in a good position to do some things defensively.”
The Dons travel to Channel Islands on Friday night.
Bishop Diego: Athletic director Dan Peeters introduced senior running backs Abel Gonzalez and Daniel Molina. He said Gonzalez made a huge defensive play in the 20-16 comeback win over Santa Fe Christian, chasing down a breakaway running back and making the tackle. The Cardinals’ defense wound up holding Santa Fe Christian to a field goal.
“It was huge,” said Peeters.
Molina also made a big play in the game, fielding a 52-yard punt and returning it 21 yards. That set up the Cardinals’ winning touchdown, which Molina scored.
The 2-0 Cardinals travel to Pasadena on Friday to face LaSalle.
Laguna Blanca: Athletic director Mike Biermann said the 8-man football team is off to a 2-0 start, but probably the biggest thrill for coach Shane Lopes is he has 20 players on the roster.
“Last year, he had 12-13 kids on the roster,” said Biermann
The Owls have a bye this week. Their next game is their home opener against Discovery Prep on Sept. 20.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
SBCC: Coach Craig Moropoulos said his team didn’t take advantage of some opportunities near the end of the game in Saturday’s 18-10 season-opening loss to San Bernardino Valley College.
The coach brought two players that turned in good performances in the game: safety Zach Arnell and offensive lineman Matt Escobar. Moropoulos said the fiery Arnell plays with “a never-give-up attitude.”
On Escobar, he informed the Santa Barbara High alum during his presentation that he was switching to center this week. “I don’t know if you that, Matt, but you’re moving because we need somebody who is a rock down there, snapping the ball and making the decisions,” said Moropoulos.
The Vaqueros travel to Hancock for a 4 p.m. game on Saturday.
“They’ll be fired up because we beat them last year,” Moropoulos said. “It will be a big challenge for us.”
COLLEGE SOCCER
Westmont women: A lot has happened since coach Kristi Kiely last visited the Round Table press luncheon.
“The last time I was here we lost in the finals of the national tournament, we finished the year with the highest (team) GPA on campus, I had a beautiful baby girl.”
The baby comment drew applause. To which Kiely smiled and remarked, “Thank you. It was a lot of work.”
The NAIA second-ranked and 5-0 Warriors are coming off wins over the No. 13 and No. 3 teams on the road. They’ve outscored the opposition 14-2. On Friday, they get a rematch with Concordia of Oregon at Thorrington Field.
Concordia beat Westmont 1-0 in the national title match.
BOYS WATER POLO
San Marcos: Coach Jeff Ashton was feeling good after watching his team knock off Ventura and Santa Barbara to win the championship of the Conejo Classic over the weekend in Thousand Oaks.
“It’s kind of unusual to get two league teams in a tournament,” he said. “At the same time, it was rewarding to come out on top of those.”
Ashton introduced two players were played key roles in the title: junior George Kuesis and sophomore Spencer Wood.
Kuesis had nine goals and 12 assists. “We’re a team without stars,” Ashton explained. “Everybody does their role. George’s role is to get up and get us pumped up, and to go out and give us 110 percent (for) four quarters every day. He sparked us in the Santa Barbara game.”
Wood scored 13 goals in five tournament games. “He’s a guy who does whatever you need in the water,” said Ashton. “As a sophomore, he’s a leader in the pool. He’s very knowledgable.”
The Royals, ranked fifth in CIF Division 2, are entered in this week’s Santa Barbara Invitational.
Carpinteria: First-year coach Matt Organista introduced senior standouts Noah Reed and Chris Fedderson. He said the Warriors have talent and speed, but it will take some time to get everyone playing together.
They open the season this week with two non-league matches and a tournament at Los Altos.
NOTES
The Round Table honored the high school athletic directors with the Sports Person of the Month award. The ADS in attendance were Dan Feldhaus (DP), Abe Jahadhmy (San Marcos), Joe Chenoweth (Santa Barbara), Pat Cooney (Carpinteria), Dan Peeters (Bishop Diego), Keith Luberto (Providence), Mike Biermann (Laguna Blanca) and Jami Dichard (Garden Street Academy). Cate’s Wade Ransom was unable to attend.
The luncheon started with Joe Cole, publisher of the Santa Barbara Independent, announcing the paper’s partnership with Presidio Sports.
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