It's not Lom-pock, it's Lom-poke

It was certainly fun covering last night's CIF-SS Northwest Division second-round playoff game between visiting Lompoc and Centennial. I'm from Northern Santa Barbara County and covered hundreds of Lompoc games - football, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, etc. - while working for the Santa Maria Times. And even though it's been nearly 11 years since I've worked there, I saw a few familiar faces on the sideline, including colleague Al Hunt, the North SB County correspondent for the Santa Barbara News Press.
The Braves have always traveled well, and fans in blue easily out-numbered the Apache supporters on the other side of the field. Before the game, they let out a big cheer when the Centennial PA announcer graciously welcomed the visitors from Lom-pock, and an even bigger one when he quickly corrected himself and pronounced the coastal town's name properly - Lom-poke. It's a common mistake, and one they're used to.
It was also fun talking with Al and Cal Hi Sports' Ronnie Flores about the best football player to ever come from Lompoc High, Napolean Kaufman. Kaufman was the fastest high school running back I've ever seen and one of the nation's top recruits as a senior in 1990 - my first with the Santa Maria Times, He eventually signed with Washington, where he joined quarterback Mark Brunell, a Santa Maria St. Joseph High grad. Kaufman then played six years for the Raiders before injuries ended his career.
As for Friday's game, Centennial (8-4) played with plenty of guts and desire - it scored the game's first TD - before Lompoc's strong running attack and deep roster eventually wore the short-handed Apaches down. QB Jachin Jenkins (15-23-1, 205, 2 TDs) and WR Tyree Davis (11 catches, 172 yards, 2 TDs) both had outstanding games and definitely had the Braves' sideline concerned. Coach Jimmy Nolan's kids can be proud of their effort against the defending Northwest Division champs, who are 12-0 this season and have won 19 consecutive games.