Prep football roundup: Morro Bay rallies past San Luis Obispo to stay undefeated
The Morro Bay High School football team scored 20 unanswered points to beat San Luis Obispo 29-20 on Friday. The Pirates trailed 13-0 at one point before mounting a comeback to keep their undefeated season alive, improving their record to 4-0 after finishing 0-10 in 2015.
The turning point in the game came when Morro Bay’s Josh Skiffington chased down Tigers running back Javon Montgomery on a long run and stripped the ball loose. The Pirates recovered and scored the go-ahead touchdown on the ensuing 90-yard drive, which was capped off with a touchdown on a 21-yard fade route to Spencer Cecil.
“(Skiffington) could have given up on the play, but he showed a lot of heart to stay with it,” Morro Bay head coach David Kelley said.
Cecil had three catches for 41 yards and two touchdowns and also had a 46-yard interception return for a score for the game’s final points. Quarterback Aidan Moriaty was 9 of 19 for 99 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Luis Alvarez had six carries for 29 yards and a touchdown, and Danny Koval had nine rushes for 56 yards.
“They’ve got heart,” Kelley said about his team. “Most teams after an 0-10 season say screw this, but these boys decided to work their (butts) off. They’re resilient young men, and they play their heart out, and I love them to death.”
Former San Luis Obispo student and football player Robert “Sean” Aversano, who died in an accidental death this week, was honored before the game. His former jersey number was placed at the entrance gate.
“The Pirates family is keeping the Aversano family in our thoughts and prayers,” Kelley said.
Paso Robles 31, Cajon 28
Christian Erickson scored the go-ahead touchdown for Paso Robles with 1:04 left on Friday night to complete a 31-28 come-from-behind win over Cajon in San Bernardino.
The touchdown was set up by an interception by Paso Robles corner back Blake Adame on a long Cajon pass on the one yard line with about 2 minutes to go.
“It was kind of divine intervention,” said Paso Robles head coach Rich Schimke, who was baffeled by the play call.
A 70 yard pass from Steven Schouten to Seth Mathysse followed by a penalty on Cajon set up the winning score for Paso Robles (4-0).
Erickson opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run in a first quarter that ended with Paso Robles holding a 20-16 lead. After a scoreless second quarter, Cajon took a 28-23 lead on two Jaydon Daneils rushing touchdowns in the third quarter.
The Paso Robles defense, which allowed 396 total yards, was able to hold Cajon scoreless in the final quarter to continue its hot start to the season.
Schimke gave credit to his special teams and kickers Cade England and Jonathan Jaimes. England averaged 45 yards on five punts and Jaimes hit a 44-yard field goal that proved to be the difference with 3:46 left in the third quarter.
Paso Robles quarterback Steven Schouten was 7 for 20 for 134 yards and a touchdown and added 40 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Seth Mathysse was the Bearcats’ leading receiver with five catches for 95 yards. Erickson finished the game with 26 carries for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
Paso Robles will be back at home Friday against Clovis North.
“It doesn’t get any easier from here,” Schimke said. “The good thing is the road trip from heck is done. We just got to protect our house.”
Arroyo Grande 38, Pioneer Valley 7
Arroyo Grande running back Cameron Johnston scored two touchdowns, including one for 85 yards, as the Eagles rolled Pioneer Valley 38-7 on Friday in Arroyo Grande. Johnston finished the game with 134 yards rushing on nine carries.
Arroyo Grande (3-1) jumped all over Pioneer Valley (2-1) out of the gate, racing to a 21-0 halftime lead behind touchdowns from Matthew Sill. Sill had six receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown and another 24 yards and a touchdown rushing. May was 12 of 20 for 141 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 44 yards.
“We had too many penalties that set drives back. We were uncharacteristically undisciplined, but overall I thought we played pretty well,” Arroyo Grande head coach Tom Goossen said.
Arroyo Grande’s Dakota Ryken had an interception at the end of the first half that led to a touchdown.
“Defensively we tackled really well and contained the run,” Goossen said.
An encouraging sign considering Arroyo Grande’s best defender, linebacker Sam Ness, missed his second game in a row.
Arroyo Grande will be on the road next Friday against St. Joseph.
Other Central Coast scores:
Mountain View 34, Atascadero 13
St. Anthony 59, Mission Prep 14
Cabrillo 24, Templeton 12
Santa Maria 22, Righetti 20
Lompoc 64, Santa Barbara 0
This story was originally published September 16, 2016 at 11:58 PM with the headline "Prep football roundup: Morro Bay rallies past San Luis Obispo to stay undefeated."