9/15/02 The Lompoc Brave Varsity football team made history Saturday, by playing the first-ever day game at Huyck Stadium, and looked awesome while doing it.

The Braves had not played a day game since 1948, but the game was played at what is now Lompoc Valley Middle School.

The Big Blue offense rolled up 409 total yards, beating up on the 2001 CIF finalist Dos Pueblos Chargers 36-6.

"We were a little worried about playing in the middle of the day," said coach Robin Luken.

"Fatigue, cramping, and heat could have played a part, but our guys came out and did a fabulous job."

After the Braves/ opening drive stalled, the defense took control of the game quickly, stifling the potent passing attack of record-breaking DP quarterback Shane Lopes.

The pass rush was persistent as well as constant, causing Lopes to hurry throws as well as making him watch a good part of the game from his back.

Matt Sims, Jeremey Signorelli, and Michael Slaughter were in the backfield constantly, each recordings sacks and numerous tackles.

The Big Blue defense allowed only 210 total yards, recorded six sacks, recovered a fumble, and completely dominated the line of scrimmage all day long.

Offense feeds on good defense, just ask Robert Adams. Fullback Adams started the scoring early in the first quarter when he busted through the line with an Andrew Jones handoff and rumbled 41-yards to pay dirt.

A botched extra point try turned into opportunity for the Braves, when Michael Adams took an errant snap and found his way to the promised land for the two-point conversion and just like that it was 8-0 Lompoc.

"Adams is a workhorse", said Luken. The 6/0 200 pound "man child" pounded his way for 104 yards on 15 carries, personally introducing himself to the linebacking crew of the Chargers.

Next it was Benny Ornelas/s turn to get busy on the ground. On the next series of downs, Ornelas broke a couple of tackles and scampered 46 yards to the house. The extra point made it 15-0 Braves.

Joey Gastelo then joined the fun with a three-yard plunge, increasing the lead to 22-0 Lompoc.

But it wasn/t over yet. With just 46 seconds left in the half Derek Duran hooked up with Andrew Jones to receive a 20-yard pass to send the Chargers to the locker room licking their wounds.

Adams and eight other runners carried the ball, chewing up 230 yards of offense on the ground for the day.

Jones would finish his work 10-13 passing for 179 yards and a touchdown.

In the second half Lopes began to heat up, the Brave pass rushed slowed just enough to allow him to find Joe Fleming alone in the end zone for the only DP touchdown of the day breaking up Lompoc/s shutout and make the score 29-6 with 1:10 left in the third quarter.

Lompoc put the finishing touches on a perfect day, when tailback Efren Guttierez plowed in from seven-yards out to cap a 36-6 win.

Notes: The game was the first varsity day game played at Huyck Stadium and it was the first game that the late #1 Lompoc Football fan former principal Bob Paisola wouldn/t be here to enjoy. The longtime administrator passed away during the football offseason. A moment of silence in his memory was held prior to the game….Last year quarterback Shane Lopes took the Chargers to the CIF Division 4 title game, and lost to SLO.