Mission Prep, Morro Bay hold on for close wins as SLO, Atascadero and Templeton dominate

Mission Prep, Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, Templeton and Morro Bay all came out with big wins on Friday while Paso Robles is still looking for its first win of the season.

Arroyo Grande and Nipomo had bye weeks as San Luis Obispo County teams wrap up their non-league schedules before opening league play next week.

In San Luis Obispo, the Royals secured their first home win of the season with a 18-15 victory over Aptos at Cal Poly’s Mustang Memorial Field.

The Royals (2-1) have 29 players on the roster compared to 50 for the Mariners, but they still came out with the win.

“I think in every single game I’ve coached since I’ve been head coach, we’ve always had the smaller roster and that hasn’t changed in the last three years,” Head Coach David Schuster said. “We train our kids very specifically to be able to handle those things.”

The Mariners attempted to wear out the Royals by running the ball all night in their T-Wing formation, but the Royals were able to limit the number of big plays. Schuster called the Aptos offense “one of the hardest offenses in California to stop.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Royals’ running back Chase Untal burst up the left sideline for a 54-yard touchdown with 11 minutes to go in the second quarter. However, the Mariners blocked the point after attempt.

The following drive, the Mariners started to find some momentum on the ground and marched their way down for a score to take a 7-6 lead.

Receiver and returner Luke Terry then returned the kickoff to the Mariners’ 39 yard line, but the Royals were unable to take advantage of the good field position.

With under a minute left in the half, quarterback Thomas Glenn launched a ball down field, only to see a Mariners’ defensive back bobble the ball before snatching it for an interception.

The Royals’ offense sputtered after a strong first half showing until running back Drew Harrigan received a pitch on a read option play and broke up the left sideline for a touchdown. The Royals failed on the two-point conversion, but they still held a 12-7 lead.

Throughout the game the Royals opted to kick off short but high balls to the Mariners. After Harrigan’s touchdown, the Royals employed the same strategy, the Mariners muffed the kickoff, and the Royals recovered the ball.

On the first play of the drive, Harrigan scored another touchdown, but once again the Royals failed the 2-point conversion.

“(Drew) is a warrior, man,” Schuster said. “He’s very smart. He can see the holes very quickly. He’s very powerful. Just a lot to deal with.”

Aptos responded once again with a strong drive all the way to the 1-yard line before punching in a touchdown on a quarterback sneak to make the score 18-15.

With three minutes remaining, Glenn kept the ball on the read option and make good ground on an 18-yard pickup. Harrigan continued to run the ball hard to keep the clock running.

But the Mariners got one more shot after a fourth-down stop, taking possession with the ball on the 26-yard line and 57 seconds on the clock.

That’s when free safety Ronnie Kardashian sealed the game for the Royals, intercepting a deep heave from the Mariners, who were forced to try to pass the ball at the end of the game.

“This team in particular, they’re just really tough,” Schuster said. “They’re a very gritty team and (I) just love the character. I love the fight. I love the soul of this team.”

Mission Prep next faces Santa Ynez at home on Friday.

Atascadero 49, Everett Alvarez 28

Atascadero turned a close game into a comfortable win against Everett Alvarez in Salinas, according to reporting by MaxPreps.

The Greyounds (3-0) are the only SLO County football team with an undefeated record through three weeks.

After the Greyhounds trailed 22-21 midway through the second quarter, the offense went on a tear, scoring 28 unanswered points that included two Austin Smith rushing touchdowns, a 9-yard running touchdown for Joseph Hyde and a 22-yard strike through the air from quarterback Kane Cooks to Mason Degnan.

Meanwhile, the defense stiffened up and held the Eagles scoreless for nearly the entire second half, before the Eagles scored a late touchdown in the waning minutes.

Head Coach Victor Cooper credited “great halftime adjustments” from his coaching staff on the offensive line that allowed the team to take control up front.

The win moves the defending state champions to 3-0 on the season as they head into league play next week.

Atascadero opens Ocean League play hosting Santa Maria on Friday.

San Luis Obispo 38, North of Bakersfield 14

San Luis Obispo scored early and often en route to a lopsided road win over North of Bakersfield, according to MaxPreps.

The Tigers (3-1) bounce back with a convincing win after losing in a blowout to Arroyo Grande last week.

“We faced some adversity and fought back with a lot of grit and determination,” Head Coach Pat Johnston said. “I’m proud of our team accomplishing a true team win.”

The Stars got on the scoreboard first with an 80-yard rushing touchdown, but the Tigers responded with 24 straight points of their own to take command of the game, starting with two Jace Gomes touchdowns to Finnegan HIckey, the first for 30 yards and the second for 85.

After the Tigers took a 24-14 lead into halftime, Gomes and Hickey connected again, this time for 68 yards.

Isaiah Hernandez also scored two touchdowns for San Luis Obispo on runs of 1 and 16 yards.

On defense, Cody Johnson and Jack Webber collected interceptions.

Kicker Ben Oetman hit a 38-yard field goal to finish the first half scoring.

San Luis Obispo next plays at Cabrillo on Thursday.

Morro Bay 16, Fresno 13

The Pirates held on to win a nail-biter on the road against Fresno.

Morro Bay (3-1) took a 9-0 lead into the half thanks to a rushing touchdown by Nami Hoag and a field goal.

Fresno got on the scoreboard with a rushing touchdown of its own before the two teams traded touchdowns down the stretch.

The game-winning score for Morro Bay came on a 71-yard pass from Ian Lambright to Manny Diaz.

The Warriors had the ball with a chance to tie or win the game, but Morro Bay’s defense was able to seal the victory.

Morro Bay hosts Pioneer Valley on Friday in the two teams’ Ocean League opener.

Monache 24, Paso Robles 14

Paso Robles fell to Monache of Porterville in a home loss that closed out a winless non-league slate for the Bearcats (0-3).

Paso Robles opens Mountain League play with a home gaime against Righetti on Friday.

Templeton 49, Firebaugh 0

Templeton held a 28-0 lead at halftime and dominated the rest of the way. The Eagles (2-1) scored a rushing touchdown in the third quarter to extend the lead to 35-0 before adding two more scores to complete a 49-0 shutout.

Templeton next hosts West of Bakersfield on Friday.