Atascadero makes another dramatic comeback against SLO as Mission Prep, Paso Robles dominate

Atascadero completed another comeback win on Friday night — this time taking down the San Luis Obispo at home in a dramatic 22-point second-half victory.

“They believe in themselves now for sure,” Atascadero Head Coach Vic Cooper said after the game. “I mean, that’s what us coaches felt all along, that this was a good football team who didn’t start well.”

The Tigers got out to a hot start early in the night, forcing two Greyhound turnovers to start the game and turning that into seven points.

Quarterback Kane Cooks responded with a keeper for a score, but the PAT attempt was blocked as Atascadero struggled to stop the Tigers on the ground and in the air in the first half.

The Tigers kept moving the chains and gaining significant yardage as running back Isaiah Hernandez dominated in the inside run game, shedding tackles and fighting for every inch.

In a drive midway through the second quarter, the Tigers got deep into the red zone, but a touchdown pass was ruled incomplete. The Tigers then committed two penalties, one false start and one holding, that set them back to 1st and 18.

They ended up settling for a field goal, costing them possibly four extra points. It would later turn out that those four points could’ve made the difference in the game.

By halftime, thought, the score was 24-6, in favor of the Tigers.

In the second half, the Greyhounds’ physical run game started to wear down the San Luis Obispo defense.

The three-headed monster backfield of Diego Real, Kane Cooks and Trey Cooks began to find holes in the defense. When the Tigers bit on the run, Kane Cooks rolled out to his left on a bootleg play action and threw a touchdown to Caleb Pryor to make the game 24-13.

Kane Cooks added another rushing touchdown of his own, and the team converted on a two-point attempt to bring the Greyhounds within three points, at 24-21.

Tiger corner back Keshawn Rhine halted a bit of Greyhound momentum with an interception at seven minutes left in the game, but then the team gave it right back as Hernandez fumbled.

Both teams went scoreless, but then in the last two minutes, the Greyhounds resorted to spreading the ball around. Kane Cooks made brilliant reads, including one long ball to receiver and corner Mason Degnan that gave the Greyhounds a sudden 28-24 lead.

Degnan then also made the interception as the Tigers tried to mount a drive that sealed the game right after.

“On the last deep ball, they were in man coverage, so like the safety came down, and he was just standing there, and he got him beat down field, so I just put it over him,” Kane Cooks said after the game.

The Greyhounds have now won on three comebacks in a row heading into their bye week, with their overall record at 3-3 and 1-0 in Ocean League play.

It’s no coincidence the Greyhounds have made three comeback wins a row — they tire opposing teams out with their relentless run game, and it shows in the second half when they force defenses to stay on the field and tackle.

“We’re gonna be smashmouth,” Cooper said. “We’re gonna run the ball. We’re gonna try to be more physical than you. We’re gonna outwork you.”

Cooper added that during the offseason, the Greyhounds spent “a lot of time in the weight room.”

“You’re gonna want to wear out,” he said.

The Tigers, who are now 4-2 and 1-1 in league play, will look to get a win against Pioneer Valley next Friday at 7 p.m.

Mission Prep 49, Nipomo 12

Meanwhile, Mission Prep ran up the score on Nipomo in a 49-12 victory, including a 21-0 first quarter.

Mission Prep dominated on the offensive end as quarterback Colby White threw a perfect 14 for 14 and around 150 yards to go along with two touchdowns. Drew Harrigan added in a 50-yard touchdown run and Tyler Harrigan hauled in two touchdowns as well.

The team also scored multiple times off special teams. Jamar Howard had a kick return touchdown and Cole Tanner also had a punt return touchdown. Howard also took a interception to the house and Tanner had a 98-yard touchdown run.

The Royals are now 3-2 on the season and 1-0 in the Mountain League. Their next opponent will be Paso Robles next Friday at 7 p.m. at home.

On the other hand, Nipomo is 0-5 and 0-1 in league play. The Titans will look to turn things around against the Arroyo Grande Eagles at Arroyo Grande High School next Friday at 7 p.m.

Paso Robles 34, Lompoc 33

Paso Robles came out on top in a slugfest game against Lompoc High School on Friday night.

The Braves got the first blow in the first quarter, but the Bearcats responded with a 21-point second quarter.

Heading into half time the score was 21-13 in favor of the Bearcats.

The Braves returned the favor with a big quarter of their own, scoring 20 points in the third quarter. In the end, Paso Robles got the last laugh with a 13-point fourth quarter.

Leo Kemp was consistent in the run game and made two huge plays on the ground. Quarterback Tyler Luna threw two touchdown passes. Connor Bowman also contributed with two rushing touchdowns.

Paso Robles is now a strong 4-1 and 2-0 in the Mountain League. They will face off against Mission Prep next Friday at 7 p.m in an away game.

Lompoc is 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the Mountain League. They play Ernest Righetti High School next Friday at home at 7 p.m.

St. Joseph 52, Arroyo Grande 17

The Arroyo Grande Eagles were held scoreless in the second half and ultimately lost 52-17 to St. Joseph on Friday night.

Both teams competed in the first half, but St. Joseph put up two zeros on defense in third and fourth quarters while scoring 31 points of their own.

The game was close at halftime with the Knights holding a 21-17 lead, but the Santa Maria team went on to control the second half. They scored 21 points in the third quarter followed by 10 more in the fourth.

On the Eagles’ side, Damien Santos and Caleb Clark both had touchdown receptions. Jose Lopez sent a field goal through the uprights.

Arroyo Grande is now 1-4, and 0-2 in league play. They will try to get on to the right track next week against Nipomo at home at 7 p.m.

St. Joseph is 4-1 and 2-0 in league play. They will take on Santa Ynez Valley Union High School next Friday at 7 p.m.

Templeton 21, Santa Maria 17

Finally, Templeton outlasted Santa Maria on Friday with a 21-17 win on the backs of a 14-point second quarter.

Landen Miller led the offense with two touchdowns, according to MaxPreps, while Wyatt Ramey also scored to go with 52 yards on 17 carries.

The Eagles are 4-1 and 1-0 in league. They face Cabrillo High School next Friday at 7:30 p.m. at home.

This story was originally published September 24, 2022 at 12:25 AM.