Mission Prep takes down Paso Robles 28-7 in game marked by scary injury
In a matchup of teams undefeated in league play, Mission Prep (4-2, 3-0) beat Paso Robles (4-2, 2-1) 28-7 in a game marked by a frightening injury suffered by a Bearcats player.
Late in the third quarter, Bearcats receiver and defensive back Shane Vaughn went down with a neck injury and was stretchered out of the game onto an ambulance on a Royals scoring play. Both teams took a knee as Vaughn was tended to.
As he came off the field, Vaughn gave a thumbs up to the crowd and was able to move his extremities.
“Obviously, our hearts go out to him. We are really proud of how everyone responded with a huge group prayer in the stands we’re praying for fast and speedy recovery,” said Mission Prep head coach David Schuster.
“You never want to see that with the tough situation. I was happy to see he came off thumbs up.”
After the game, Paso Robles Head Coach Matt Carroll said, Vaughn is “moving extremities and being a smart aleck, which is good because Shane is that way.”
The Royals got out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on a flea flicker play to tight end Tyler Garrett and a screen pass to Drew Harrigan, who scored on a bruising run after catch.
Paso Robles tried to counter with its triple option offense and slowly made its way up field on multiple occasions, only to see drives falter due to turnovers. The Bearcats turned the ball over three times In the red zone including two fumbles and an interception.
Despite the setbacks, however, Paso Robles opened the third quarter with a long kickoff return down the sideline that set the Bearcat up for a 1-yard Leo Kemp touchdown that narrowed the score to 14-7.
A failed onside kick gave Mission Prep the ball on their own 47 yard line, and the Royals quickly marched down the field and restored their lead on a 23-yard touchdown run by Cole Tanner.
With 8 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Harrigan added one more touchdown up the middle to make it a 28-7 lead that sealed the game.
Schuster gave credit to a balanced defense that guarded against the Bearcats’ run game while also protecting on big passes downfield.
“I really want to commend our defensive staff, John Hitchen, Tyler Gray, Doug May, Joey Lopez,” Schuster said. “They put together a great plan. I was very proud of them. Very proud of what the way the kids responded in practice.”
The Royals are now 4-2 and 3-0 in the Mountain League. After being hampered by injuries to start the year, Schuster said he believes the team is hitting its stride.
“This team feels like a pot roast, like everybody wants the meat right away, and this team was going to be a long development team,” Schuster said.
“We got to let this thing marinate with the juices, really get in there, and it’s gonna be good at the end.”
On the Bearcats side, Carroll said there were positives they can take from this game, but he added, “You can’t turn the ball over three times in the red zone. They’re a very talented team, very well conditioned for only having 31 on the roster.”
Next Friday, Paso Robles faces St. Joseph on the road while Mission Prep plays at Lompoc.
Arroyo Grande 53, Nipomo 0
Arroyo Grande (2-4, 1-2) dominated Nipomo (0-6, 0-3) in a 53-0 win on Friday.
The Eagles controlled the game from the start, scoring 39 points in the first half, according to MaxPreps.
Corner Jacob Angulo had a pick six, while running back Junior Herlihy scored multiple touchdowns on offense to lead the way for the Eagles.
Next week, Arroyo Grande hosts Righetti, while Nipomo travels to Santa Ynez.
San Luis Obispo 42, Pioneer Valley 7
San Luis Obispo (5-2, 2-1) piled on Pioneer Valley (2-5, 1-2) in Ocean League play earning a 42-7 win at home.
The Tigers got hot early with 14 points in the first and second quarter and didn’t look back.
Quarterback Jace Gomes had three rushing touchdowns and a 60-yard throw to receiver Eli Smiley for a touchdown.
Running backs Luca Cuccaro and Michale Milner each added a touchdown on the ground. Defensive backs Nolan Attala and Ben Oetman contributed interceptions as well.
San Luis Obispo faces Morro Bay on the road next Friday. Pioneer Valley will take on Templeton away.
Morro Bay 34, Santa Maria 22
Morro Bay (4-2, 2-0) defeated Santa Maria (2-5, 0-3) 34-22 on the strength of a 19-point third quarter.
Both teams traded blows in the first two quarter, going into halftime with the Pirates up 15-10, according to MaxPreps.
Then Morro Bay came out of the locker room ready to play and put up three touchdowns in the third quarter. The Saints added a score in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough as the Pirates took the win.
Nami Hoag scored three touchdowns on the ground for Morro Bay, including a 63-yarder.
Quarterback Nicky Johnson threw for two scores, and Shawn Staffer had an interception.
Morro Bay hosts San Luis Obispo next Friday. Santa Maria will play Cabrillo away.
Templeton 35, Cabrillo 12
Templeton nearly tripled up on Cabrillo at home to improve to 5-1 on the season, including 2-0 in Ocean League play.
Templeton plays at Atascadero next Friday.
This story was originally published September 30, 2022 at 11:50 PM.