Atascadero, Mission Prep football teams secure major wins; Morro Bay falls at home
The Atascadero High School Greyhounds, the reigning Ocean League and CIF division champions, got off to a strong start to the season Friday night, defeating Bakersfield’s North High School 35-22.
Atascadero (1-0) along with Mission Prep, Nipomo and San Luis Obispo high schools all secured wins this week.
Greyhounds quarterback Kane Cooks had three throwing touchdowns and two rushing scores in the opening season road win.
Bukamier Tyler had two receiving touchdowns and Jarom Damery hauled in a scoring catch as well for Atascadero.
“We played very steady,” Coach Vic Cooper said Friday night. “Our defense had a bend, don’t break attitude and we had three or four red zone stops in the first half.”
Coming off of a season last year in which the Greyhounds lost their first three games, but went on to win the CIF-6A State Football Championship, the Greyhounds carried over their winning streak into 2023.
“Summer camp felt really long after our first week bye, and it felt good to get out there,” Cooper said.
Morro Bay 16, Mt. Whitney 28
After allowing 28 points in the first half, the Pirates held Mt. Whitney scoreless in the second but were unable to come out on top — ultimately falling 28-16.
The Pirates (1-1) were at a major size deficit in the game against their opponent.
Junior linebacker Colton Janovec forced a safety in the first half, but Mt. Whitney poured on 28 points on the Pirates’ defense.
The team bounced back in the second half with two touchdowns. Senior quarterback Ian Lambright was pushed into the end zone on a quarterback sneak.
Lambright connected with junior receiver Ryder Busch for a 30-yard score to give the Pirates 16 points.
Senior tight end Manny Diaz was another major recipient of Lambright’s passes.
On the defensive side of the ball, defensive tackles Nicholas Reid and Brody Rust along with James Nickel all made stops on Mt. Whitney.
However, one of the Pirates’ strongest players, running back Nami Hoag, exited the game with an injury and left the field. Hoag did not return.
The Pirates take on Santa Ynez at home on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
Mission Prep 14, Bishop Diego 6
The Royals made history on Friday night against Bishop Diego.
According to head coach David Schuster, the Royals (1-1) have never beaten the Santa Barbara football powerhouse anytime in at least the past 50 years.
“We don’t know the score for some of the games, but from what we have and what all the old alumni have told us, we have never beaten them,” Schuster said.
The Royals won the historic game on the defensive side of the ball. The team collected three fumble recoveries and an interception.
“The team played tremendous defense,” Schuster said. “We did just enough on offense to control the game.”
Schuster pointed to defensive backs Jayden Nozil and Luke Terry, along with linebacker Armen Clayton, as standouts on the defensive side of the ball.
After a scoreless first quarter, senior running back Drew Harrigan broke open for a 40-yard run. The Royals failed the two-point conversion, but held a 6-0 lead into the third quarter.
The Cardinals scored in the third period, but missed the point after attempt to tie it at 6-6. But the Royals immediately responded in the following drive with a passing touchdown from quarterback Thomas Glenn to tight end Conner Lopez.
The Royals went for 2 points after the score and Jayden Nozil hauled in the attempt to put the team up 14-6, and they ultimately held on for the win.
The Royals’ next game is against Aptos at home on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.
Nipomo 28, Cabrillo 0
The Titans got their first win under head coach Stephen Field in a 28-0 blowout victory over Cabrillo on Friday night.
Senior running back Jose Bernal rushed for four touchdowns total to boost the Titans (1-1) to the victory.
Field credited the offensive line for handling Cabrillo’s pressure and “(opening) lanes for our backs” and protected the Titan’s freshmen quarterback Blayne Lowry.
Bernal punched in a three-yard touchdown late in the first quarter. Following the touchdown, Lowry connected with senior running back Braden Reese for a two-point conversion.
Bernal scampered in for a 24-yard touchdown in the second quarter to give the Titans a 14-0 lead heading into halftime.
In the third quarter, Bernal broke out for a 40-yard touchdown run. To cap off his performance, he scored on a 34-yard rushing attempt in the final period of play.
After a win-less season in 2022, the Titans will look to build on their momentum at home against Santa Maria on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
East Clovis 35, Arroyo Grande 7
The Eagles lost at home, but avoided a complete shutout with a late 3-yard touchdown run by Ben Walz.
Head coach Mike Hartman said “teams like this get us ready for playoffs.”
“Tough opponents get us ready for tough games,” Hartman said. “We won’t change what we do. We won last week and everyone told us how wonderful we were and this week we had a rough one and people will say how bad we are. We can’t listen to that noise either.”
The Eagles (1-1) will take on San Luis Obispo at home on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
San Luis Obispo 38, Caruthers 28
The Tigers started the season out 2-0 after defeating Caruthers at home, 28-0.
Junior quarterback Jace Gomes led the way with five total touchdowns. Three of his scores were on the ground and two came in the passing game.
The quarterback, who’s been a long time starter for the Tigers, compiled a 65-yard rushing touchdown and a 65-yard passing touchdown to junior receiver Finnigan Hickey in the first half.
The Tigers’ defense also forced three turnovers in the first half. Junior defensive back Cody Johnson intercepted a pass along with junior linebacker Britton Rethmeier.
Junior linebacker Dane Adler recovered a fumble. However, the Tigers only held a 17-14 lead at halftime.
With six minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Tigers only held a three-point lead, but Gomes launched a 75-yard pass to senior receiver Chance Evans to create a 30-21 lead.
Caruthers scored to match the Tigers but with a minute remaining, Gomes led a drive to the red zone for an eight-yard rushing touchdown to seal the game.
According to head coach Pat Johnston, Gomes “played a great game through the air and on the ground.”
“(He) came up huge in a critical moment when we needed to seal the game,” Johnston said.
The Tigers will look to continue their strong start to the season away at Arroyo Grande on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
