Arroyo Grande overpowered by Centennial; SLO and Morro Bay post wins
The Arroyo Grande Eagles matched up against a skilled team from Bakersfield on Friday, and after a competitive first quarter, the contest slipped away quickly and ended in a lopsided loss.
The Eagles lost 39-7 in their first home game of the season against a team that held the advantage on both sides of the ball throughout the game.
Arroyo Grande (0-2) tried to establish a mix of run and pass but couldn’t get much going against a quick and well-executed Golden Hawks game plan.
“We’re learning how to play a complete football game,” said Arroyo Grande Coach Mike Hartman. “We’re not there yet obviously. But we will get there and continue to get better. Every game is about ourselves and how we execute and how we handle adversity.”
A bright spot for the Eagles was a 28-yard touchdown strike from junior quarterback Drake Missamore to senior receiver Damian Santos with two minutes to go in the first quarter.
But a questionable fumble call at 5:08 in the second quarter after the Eagles recovered a Golden Hawk fumble set the Eagles back.
With the score tied 7-7, Missamore threw a screen pass to a receiver that was ruled a lateral rather than a forward toss. Centennial snatched the ball up and walked into the end zone, but game tape showed forward momentum on the pass.
Other highlights in the game included some tough first down runs from Adrian Sanchez and Junior Herlihy. Koa Kopcho and Tanner Quaresma each had interceptions against Centennial.
But Missamore missed his target with some interceptions that propelled the momentum in Centennial’s favor, including a pick with three minutes left in the half and another early in the third quarter.
“We’re on an eternal search for consistency,” Hartman said. “It’s not just Drake, it’s not just our quarterback. It’s our offense and defense and special teams.”
Hartman said a tough non-league schedule prepares his team for the rest of the year, and noted his squad dropped its first two games last year. The Eagles went on to an 8-4 season and went 4-1 in the Mountain League.
Santos, a standout 6-foot-2 senior receiver, said he has confidence his team can turn it around.
“This team has so much potential,” Santos said. “It’s insane how much potential we have. If we just put our heads together as one unit, we can take this all the way.”
Santos, who burned his defender on multiple routes, said he has worked “10 times harder this summer” to prepare for the season.
“We’re working every single day on our routes, cuts, blocking,” Santos said. “It has been a grind. ... Drake is improving. He didn’t throw the ball much last year in JV games. And now we’re trusting him to throw the ball and spread the field to drive our offense down.”
The Eagles face SLO (2-0) at the Tigers’ new home field next week in what figures to be a competitive game against two traditional rivals.
“AG and SLO is always going to be exciting,” Hartman said. “I think this is the 94th or 95th year those two teams have played. We’ve watched some tape and they do some things very well.”
Other Week 1 SLO County scores
San Luis Obispo 27, Caruthers 7
The Tigers (2-0) won for the second week of the young season behind two rushing touchdowns from sophomore quarterback Jace Gomes (one of 38 and one of 3 yards).
Running back Isaiah Hernandez added a 13-yard rushing score, in addition to a 50-yard scamper to end the third quarter and put the Tigers in position for Nolan Attala to punch in a 6-yard run and give the Tigers a 20-point lead.
SLO hosts Arroyo Grande at home Friday.
Morro Bay 41, Carpinteria 7
Nicky Johnson had four touchdown passes for the Pirates (1-1), connecting twice with Nathan Pech and hitting Caleb Calhoun and Aiden Blackwood on his other two scoring throws.
“The defense played well also,” Morro Bay Coach Robert Dougherty said.
Morro Bay faces Santa Ynez on the road on Friday.
Coalinga 39, Templeton 15
The Eagles (0-1) lost to their opponent from the Central Valley at home.
Templeton faces East Bakersfield on Friday at home.
North 37, Atascadero 14
The Greyhounds (0-2) lost to the Stars from North Bakersfield, falling behind 30-7 by the third quarter.
Atascadero scored in the first and fourth quarters.
Atascadero next faces Paso Robles, which wasn’t in action in Week 1, at home on Friday.
Cabrillo 13, Nipomo 6
The Titans (0-2) lost by a touchdown at home, giving up a 90-yard fumble return and another fumble return on a muffed punt.
Nipomo faces Santa Maria on the road on Sept. 3.
This story was originally published August 26, 2022 at 11:31 PM.
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