For three out of the four quarters, the stout Santa Maria defense held the potent Nipomo offense to just nine points.

However, on the Saints' homecoming night, the problem was the second quarter.

In just the single frame, the Titans unloaded 31 points on the Saints to claim a 40-6 Los Padres League victory at Ralph Baldiviez Stadium, clinching Nipomo their second playoff appearance in three years.

Through the first 12 minutes, the Titans (4-2, 6-3) nursed a slim 3-0 lead after converting one of two Ernie Corona field goals.

The stalling Titans defense offered some concern for Nipomo coach Russ Edwards.

"After the first few series they had some stops and big plays and we didn't convert," he said. "We had the field goal blocked and we didn't convert and no matter who you're playing and you're not converting, there is cause for concern."

Then came the second quarter.

The Saints (0-6, 2-7) once again forced a Corona field goal to begin the quarter, but the Titans quickly proved that that the best offense is a strong defense.

With the 6-0 lead, the Titans Jose Vazquez perfectly executed what the team calls a "hard onside," as the kicker drove a line-drive kickoff straight into the first row of the Saints' special team unit. The laser kick shot straight up in the air after contacting a Santa Maria player and was quickly pounced on by Nipomo's Micah DeBruno.

On the ensuing play, Nipomo quarterback Josh Correia struck gold, connecting with Kevin Britt for a 46-yard touchdown. Correia finished with 227 yards through the air and two touchdowns, while his favorite target Britt finished with 148 yards.

Fifty-seconds after their first touchdown, the Titans were on the board again, this time via a Joe Gutshall fumble recovery (one of six turnovers by the Saints).

"The defense coming out and getting some turnovers and defensive scores was huge," Edwards said.

After a Correia-to-Jared Ourieff touchdown made the score 27-0, the Titans' Joe Gutshall intercepted a Chris Valdez pass and returned it 27 yards for the score - ending the Titans' free-for-all in what was a brutal quarter for the Saints.

"We were in the game all the way through, but we had some lost opportunities," Santa Maria head coach Mike Regan said. "We dropped some balls, one for a touchdown for sure, had a fumble and just made some mistakes."

The Saints finally answered back in the second quarter when Valdez threw a beautiful 41-yard pass where only wide receiver Brian Delgadillo could catch it. Valdez finished with 128-yards through the air - 41 of which went to Delgadillo.

On the ground, Joel Enriquez led the Saints with 86 yards, while Michael Linsangan rushed for 20 in his first appearance for the Saints.

Nipomo's Devonte Jackson led all rushers with 92 yards, including a 10-yard rush in the fourth quarter that wrapped up the game's scoring.

"We didn't sustain drives in the first half which was a little disappointing, but you have to give the Santa Maria defense some credit, they came out to play," Edwards said.

Aside from the deflating second quarter, the Saints defense held strong, pressuring the Titans into throwing an interception (caught by Delgadillo), and forcing punt after punt.

"(The defensive performance) was really uplifting for the end of the season and next year," Regan said. "We have a lot of underclassmen coming back to play and the kids are getting better every week - there are a lot of positive things to take from this game."

For the second time in Nipomo High's short existence, the Titans are guaranteed a spot in the CIF playoffs. Next week, they face the Templeton Eagles to clinch third place in the LPL.

"Even if Templeton beats us we're still in (the playoffs), but it's our senior night and the guys will be fired up," Edwards said.

The Saints wrap up coach Regan's first season at home next Friday when they host the Santa Ynez Pirates.