Friday night marks the beginning of the Los Padres League football season 7 these are the games that count for any team hoping to make it into the postseason.

The local teams open league play with Lompoc hosting Nipomo, and Cabrillo visiting Santa Ynez.

Both opponents are 0-3 so both local schools should be favored.

But not according to their coaches 7 Lompoc/s Robin Luken or Cabrillo/s Don Cross.

At Huyck Stadium, the Braves come in 2-2, after victories over Paso Robles and Righetti and losses to Los Altos and Arroyo Grande.

"We were just outphysicaled," said Luken Wednesday of the AG contest, using one of his favorite footballisms. "They ran the ball between the tackles and beat us."

The Braves helped them out by providing four fumbles and an interception.

Luken made a point of saying the defeat was not a repeat of the Los Altos loss when the team seemed to be resting on its laurels.

"The defense played hard," he said of the AG game. "They did an admirable job considering the position they were put in. We allowed them not even 200 yards total offense, but the offense was inept 7 77 yards. That/s the worst offensive output since I/ve been here." Luken arrived in 1991.

If the defeat wasn/t enough, the Braves suffered injuries to four key players 7 three in the Arroyo Grande game and the fourth in practice 7 which put all four starters on the questionable list for Nipomo.

Quarterback Tim Ochoa suffered what Luken termed a "whiplash" which kept him from practicing early in the week. He was slated to try to work out Wednesday.

If Ochoa is unable to participate, the Lompoc signal caller will be either Derrick Luken, the JV quarterback last year, or Lukas Carpio, a quarterback in youth football, but a wide receiver since. Both are juniors.

Tailback Joseph Scott/s foot injury, which had been bothersome prior to the AG game, became much worse and kept him out of practice Monday and Tuesday. If Scott is unable to play, his place will be taken by Sean Carpio (Webb).

Defensive end Zach Greco suffered a partial shoulder separation. He may be replaced by sophomore Steven Morehart, just called up from the JV for the Righetti game, or Dustin Coupland.

Center Eric Talavera sprained an ankle at practice and is questionable as well. If he is out, Cody Velasco will shift from tackle and Joey Green will become the starter in his stead.

Other offensive line starters are more certain. They will be Isai Bustos and Ruben Garcia at the guards, John Downing at tackle, and Frankie Osegueda at tight end.

"It/ll be an even match," Luken predicted after looking at film of Nipomo. "When they see the AG film they/re going to try to run the ball. I would."

Nipomo coach Jon Hitchen/s club has lost to Carpinteria, Santa Paula and El Diamante of Visalia, the last by a 47-7 count last Friday.

"At this point we have been fairly consistent running the ball," Hitchen said Wednesday while mentioning running back Luke Marsalek. "And our defense has improved each week."

Asked what concerned him about the Braves Hitchen replied, "Boy, the number of weapons they have. Speed kills. I don/t think we have three guys that compare to their eight in terms of speed."

Hitchen put little stock in Luken/s hospital list. "That means Ochoa will throw for 250 yards," he joked. Lompoc won last year 28-21.

The contest is expected to be broadcast live over Comcast Channel 25, audio only.

Cabrillo at Santa Ynez

Don Cross/ injury list grew this week as well, but at least he has a 9-6 victory over Dos Pueblos to look back upon.

That and a No. 1 ranking in CIF/s Div. X poll.

"I was so impressed with our speed the whole game," Cross said Wednesday. "We were flying around the fourth quarter as much as we were in the first."

Cross singled out first-time starter Caleb Meza who recorded 10 tackles in the contest. "Against their running game he was able to keep Matt Houston corralled."

On offense, the coach simply gave the Chargers credit. "DP did a good job getting off our blocks. So we/ve been working on staying on them longer."

C.J. Simmons and Brian Gregory will continue to see action at quarterback in the LPL opener.

Cross said he envisions just one lineup change for the Pirates contest.

Guard/defensive end Brian Lane suffered a broken hand against DP so Josh Blair will take his spot on defense and the three-man guard rotation of Josh Sanders, Lane and Jared Allen will be more limited.

On a positive injury note, defensive back Byron Butler, sidelined by surgery prior to the season, will make his first appearance.

Cross will stick with the defense he unveiled last week with Meza, Darnell Womack and Colby McKissack at linebackers, Vai Taua and Blair at the ends, Sanders and Mario Sandoval alternating in the interior and disruptive Steve De St. Jean on the line in a different spot every play.

The defenders will not blitz as frequently this week, Cross said. Pirates quarterback Billy Peters is considered a dangerously mobile target.

"I was pretty impressed with them vs. Carpinteria," Cross said.

"Their strongest suit is team speed. They play well at home. Their record doesn/t matter."

The game will be broadcast on 96.7 FM.

Sports writer John McReynolds can be reached at 736-2313, Ext. 106, or jmcreynolds@lompocrecord.com

September 29, 2005