SLO County football team falls in season opener at home. What’s next?
.JPG "Senior Adair Ponce, last season’s Most Valuable Player on defense for Coast Union High School, in Cambria, carries the ball. Ponce hustled 50 yards around the left end for the home team’s second score against the Riverdale Christian Ambassadors on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.")
Coast Union High School’s football squad opened the season by hosting the Riverdale Christian Ambassadors on Thursday, Aug. 31.
At the outset, it appeared that the Broncos might have an edge.
The Cambria high school team suited up 34 players, while Riverdale brought 13 players over from the San Joaquin Valley.
However, the Ambassadors out-played and out-scored the Broncos, 48-12.
Bronco penalties, fumbles and errant passes contributed to the one-sided, non-league game.
The score at half-time was 20-6.
Alex De Alba scored a touchdown for Coast in the second quarter.
Bronco senior Adair Ponce got loose late in the game and hustled 50 yards around the left end for the home team’s second score.
Coast Union has four more home games, beginning on Friday at 7 p.m. The Broncos will play against Orcutt Academy Charter School.
That’s one of two Friday night games planned for this season.
On Saturday, Sept. 30, Coast hosts Valley Christian Academy at 6 p.m.
The Broncos entertain Coast Valley League opponent Coastal Christian on Friday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Oct. 21, Turlock Christian comes to Coast Union for a 6 p.m. game.
Bronco volleyball team
The Coast Union volleyball team opened its season on Aug. 15 with a 3-2 home win over Orcutt Academy (25-27, 25-14, 25-21 and 15-9).
On Aug. 17, again at home, the Broncos defeated Santa Maria, 3-1 (20-25, 25-17, 25-18 and 25-22).
Under second-year coach Maggie McIntyre, the Broncos outscored the Laton Mustangs 3-1 in an away game (25-8, 25-19, and 25-9) on Friday, Aug. 18.
Four days later, on Tuesday, Aug. 22, the Broncos were stopped at home 3-0 by a Coast Valley League foe, the San Luis Obispo Classical Academy Grizzlies, 3-0.
In a close match, the Grizzlies outscored Coast Union 25-21, 25- 14 and 25-22.
On Friday, Aug. 25, the Broncos hosted the Laton Mustangs and delivered a 3-0 win in a match that was much closer than the first match against Laton.
Coast Union prevailed, 25-20, 25-19 and 25-22.
The Broncos have seven matches remaining, but only two are played at home.
Those home matches are on Thursday versus Cuyama Valley at 5 p.m., and Friday, Oct. 6 versus Valley Christian Academy at 5 p.m.