Head coach Ralph Molina’s defensive experience was on display for San Marcos’ second football game of the season, as the Royals took down Santa Maria 13-7 to improve to 2-0 on the season.
The Royals were coming off a 25-14 victory over Morro Bay. The Saints (1-1) were also coming off a win in their opening week, a 3-0 win against East Bakersfield.
“This is mentally great for these guys going into the bye week,” Molina said about the outcome. ”I feel a whole lot better going into the bye week 2-0 than 1-1.”
Patrick Kelly’s return of the opening kickoff gave the Royals the ball at midfield. Junior running back Andre McCullough rushed twice for a total of five yards. Then, quarterback Joaquin Sandoval completed a pass to senior wide receiver Jackson Murillo for the first down.
After two more rushes by McCullough led to a first down, Sandoval aired out a pass to senior wide receiver Lance Bermudes for a 22-yard touchdown, giving San Marcos the early 7-0 lead.
After each team was forced to punt, Royals junior linebacker Owen Lauderdale came up with an interception, the first of five by San Marcos’ defense. Lauderdale was a force on the defensive side of the ball, leading with eight solo tackles to go along with one interception and one pass deflection.
“The defense really stepped up,” Molina said. “We forced them to throw the ball, which we know they don’t like to do.”
Although the Royals were unable to capitalize with the score, they held Santa Maria scoreless through one quarter, as the score remained 7-0.
The second quarter began with a long drive from the Saints that was eventually stalled by the Royals after junior defensive end Adrian Alaniz came up with a blocked punt that gave his team great field position.
However, San Marcos again was unable to capitalize.
That proved to be the story of the remainder of the first half, as neither offense could gain momentum and the score remained unchanged at 7-0 going into halftime.
The Saints found momentum coming out of the halftime locker room, as they grinded their way down the field and got on the scoreboard with a 15-yard touchdown pass. They failed on a two-point conversion attempt, leaving San Marcos ahead 7-6.
Santa Maria stuffed the Royals again, leaving it to the Royals’ defense to step up once again.
They came through as Murillo, playing cornerback, deflected a long pass into the arms of senior linebacker Forrest Johnson for the team’s second interception of the night.
“We knew we had to stop the run to beat these guys,” Molina said. “They ran the ball well but we made some key plays when they threw.”
Another turnover by the San Marcos offense forced their defense into another key spot. They once again delivered in the clutch.
With Santa Maria in the red zone, the Royals defensive line was able to pressure the quarterback, causing a floating pass to be picked off by senior defensive lineman Dylan Galbraith.
San Marcos expanded its lead in the fourth quarter when McCullough broke free down the sideline for a 76-yard touchdown run.
“Once Andre hit the corner, he was gone,” Molina said. “The offensive line made great blocks and that play was huge for us and our momentum the rest of the game.”
Santa Maria put together a methodical drive, running the ball on eight of their 10 plays. However, a trio of penalties against Santa Maria forced them to punt the ball back to the Royals with just over five minutes left to play.
San Marcos was able to drain the clock down to 2:53 before having to punt the ball back to the Saints’ offense. A great punt by the Royals pinned Santa Maria at its own 11 with 2:44 to go.
The drive didn’t get far, as second-down pass attempt was picked off by Murillo to give San Marcos its fourth interception of the game. Murillo was another standout for the Royals’ defense, with multiple pass deflections as well.
But the game was far from over as San Marcos fumbled and Santa Maria record at their 46 with 1:41 left.
After a 3-yard reception, the Saints fumbled the snap, causing a loss of 31 yards. Bermudes deflected a pass with 47 second left on third down.
On fourth-and-38, senior linebacker Matthew David Cuevas stepped up and secured the win with the Royals’ fifth interception.
“Those turnovers were huge for us in the fourth,” Molina said. “We forced the quarterback to be uncomfortable and it worked out for us.”
McCollough led the offense for the Royals, rushing for 125 yards and one touchdown.
“From day one, I told this team that we need to finish games,” Molina said. “This is mentally great for these guys going into the bye week. We’ve got a week to rest and prepare for Santa Barbara.”
San Marcos plays The Big Game at Santa Barbara High on Sept. 10.