Morro Bay High School football ends losing streak, defeats Viewpoint in season opener

The Morro Bay High School football team ended its 11-game losing streak Thursday night with a 10-7 road win over Viewpoint to open the 2016 season in Calabasas.

“They never quit, and good things happened,” Morro Bay head coach David Kelley said after the game.

Viewpoint (0-1) jumped out to a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter, but Morro Bay answered quickly.

Sophomore Pedro Morales, playing in his first game on varsity, kicked a 23-yard field goal to make it 7-3.

Senior running back Brandon McGinley played a big role on the next drive. On a halfback pass, McGinley hit Spencer Cecil for a big gain. And a few plays later, McGinley scored on a 12-yard run to give the Pirates a 10-7 lead with 1:43 left in the first half, a score that proved to be the game-winner.

Morro Bay’s defense took over in the second half and forced three turnovers to close out the game.

“Our game plan was to pressure the quarterback and get him off the spot,” Kelley said. “They had to adjust, and our defensive line did a great job.”

Kelley said senior Luis Alvarez, who contributed as a running back and linebacker, played a big role in the second half shutout.

Morro Bay (1-0) takes on San Marcos next Friday.

This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 10:42 PM with the headline "Morro Bay High School football ends losing streak, defeats Viewpoint in season opener."