Morro Bay tops Templeton in nail-biter. Here are SLO County football results
In perhaps the most entertaining game of the season, Morro Bay (3-3) topped Templeton (3-3) in overtime 31-28 on a 28-yard field goal — with Pirate fans and players jubilant in celebration after the nail-biting win.
In the Ocean League opener, Morro Bay forced a Templeton fumble in overtime, and then kicker Ethan Lisman booted a line drive smash through the uprights to secure the Pirates’ win.
“I was just trying to keep my cool,” Lisman. “I know NFL kickers, they all look cool and poised. I just wanted to look calm, and bang the ball through. We got the job done.”
Morro Bay had a goal-line stand on the half-yard line with less than a minute to play in regulation, stopping the Eagles’ rush in the red zone on four straight downs.
Lisman added: “I didn’t know who was going to win. We came back from half and I knew it was going to be a great game. ... I have a lot of family on that team since I grew up in this area. My cousin plays for Templeton, and this is something you dream of, just to play against someone that you know. I love to compete, and it was a great game.”
Teams went back and forth
From the get-go, the contest was a seesaw battle that displayed a clash of styles.
Templeton used tough blocking to set up big rushing gains from Kale Loppnow and Jack Wood.
Loppnow and Wood each made it into the end zone twice for rushing scores, with Wood dashing for a 48-yard touchdown scamper in the first half.
Loppnow also tallied big chunks of yards, including a 38-yard run to set up his own touchdown in the first half.
Morro Bay’s offense was highlighted by the balanced attack of junior quarterback Nicky Johnson and running back Dylan Turner.
The offensive leaders complemented each other’s games by keeping Templeton’s defense off balance with deep passes and darting rushes for first downs and scores.
Johnson rushed for 9-yard touchdown and threw for two more. Turner rushed for a couple of touchdowns and hauled in a scoring reception from Johnson.
“It was it was one of the best games I’ve had so far,” said Johnson. “It was so fun. Since freshman year, it has been something we all wanted, and we worked for it and we got it. ... I’m definitely more comfortable this year. I’ve learned to stand the pocket a little more.”
Proudly displaying the Templeton-Morro Bay rivalry plaque, featuring mounted helmets of the opposing teams, Turner noted the last time the Pirates beat the Eagles was in 2017.
“I was really impressed with our O-line, and especially our center, Titan Popp, played a great game,” Turner said. “He was one on one with their big nose tackle, and he was kicking butt all night. If O-line keeps blocking like that, we’re going to do a lot of big things in the future.”
Morro Bay Coach Jake Goossen-Brown said he thought his team executed well.
“All I’ve been asking for is consistent execution and discipline, and in the end we made some plays that helped us out,” Goossen-Brown said. “They are a great team. They’re well-coached. We knew it was going to be a battle.”
Goossen-Brown said of Turner: “I think he runs hard and makes people miss, which is helpful. I’m always hoping we can run the ball well because running the ball helps to set up a lot of things.”
The Pirates’ head coach said he’s pleased with his quarterback’s progress, noting that Johnson had been diligently coming in early to study game tape.
“Every morning, he’s there at 7:30 a.m. and we start class at 8:15,” Goossen-Brown said. “We study film. We talk through the game plan. ... He’s progressed greatly. He’s a great kid. He does a good job.”
Here’s a look at other highlights from Friday night’s SLO County high school football action:
Arroyo Grande 34, Pioneer Valley 7
The Eagles (4-2) won their fourth straight game on the road against the Panthers (0-4) to open Mountain League play.
“Pioneer played its first game in three weeks due to a bye and a COVID-19 issue,” said Coach Mike Hartman.
Arroyo Grande and Pioneer Valley were locked in a 7-7 battle at the half, and the Eagles focused on keeping loose and “having fun,” Hartman said.
Arroyo Grande’s Makai Puga scored three rushing touchdowns, while Kaden Tynes had one rushing score and a kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half.
“In the Mountain League, there are no gimmes,” Hartman said. “Every game is going to be a battle, and tonight was no different. Hats off to the Pioneer Valley. Their kids played really, really hard.”
Arroyo Grande moves on to play St. Joseph at home Oct. 8 in a Mountain League matchup.
Paso Robles 26, St. Joseph 21
The Bearcats (3-2, 1-0) kicked off Mountain League play with a big win against the Knights (2-4, 0-1).
Paso Robles got two rushing scores from Leo Kemp to go with touchdowns from Jake Morones and Trevon Bridewell.
Bastiaan Jaureguy recovered a fumble for the Bearcats.
Paso Robles takes on Nipomo next on Oct. 8 on the road.
Mission Prep 27, Atascadero 7
Mission Prep (5-0) remained undefeated with a strong win against Atascadero (1-5).
The game was highlighted by a 95-yard touchdown run by Jack Susank.
Drew Harrigan also rushed for a 3-yard score, and Colby White connected on a 65-yard pass to David Andrade for a touchdown as part of the Royals’ offensive attack, according to MaxPreps.com. White also had a long pass to Mario Luera.
Trey Cooks had a rushing score for the Greyhounds.
The Royals move on to play Santa Maria on Oct. 8 on the road in another Ocean League matchup.
Atascadero plays Templeton at home in Ocean League play on Oct. 8.
San Luis Obispo 17, Santa Maria 6
The Tigers (3-2) got a victory in their Ocean League opener on the road.
Gavin Righetti intercepted a pass for a 25-yard return score, Connor Pinckert punched in a 1-yard touchdown run and Jack Krill nailed a 32-yard field goal to lead the Tigers to victory, according to MaxPreps.com.
San Luis Obispo moves on to face Morro Bay (3-3) on Oct. 8 in another league game.
Nipomo 21, Righetti 13
The Titans (6-0) remained undefeated after facing the winless Warriors (0-5) in Nipomo’s second Mountain League game this year.
Nipomo is 2-0 in the Mountain League after beating Pioneer Valley early in the season.
The Titans were up 14-7 in the fourth quarter and turned the ball over late in the game, leading to a 14-13 battle after Righetti missed an extra point, said Coach Tony Dodge.
Alex Terrones ran back an onside kick for a touchdown to give Nipomo a 21-13 edge, and the Titans held the Warriors from scoring at the end of the game, Dodge said.
Gabe Evans rushed for two scores.
“It was a very closely battled defensive game,” Dodge said. “We were able to cut down their run game, which is what we wanted to do, and force them to throw the ball. We put defensive pressure on their quarterback all night. I’m really proud of our guys.”
Dodge said the win was Nipomo’s first against Righetti in a league game since the Titans were bumped up to Mountain League.
“They’re a school of 2,000 and we have around 900, so it’s a big win for us,” Dodge said.
The Titans move on to face Paso Robles at home on Oct. 8.
Coast Union 50, Laguna Blanca 42
The Broncos (4-1) topped the Owls (2-2) in a non-league road game on Friday.
Coast Union next plays Maricopa on Oct. 14 at home in Coast Valley 8-man League football.
This story was originally published October 1, 2021 at 11:44 PM.
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