SLO, Arroyo Grande, Nipomo secure league titles as Templeton wins to end regular season

On the final week of the regular season, three San Luis Obispo County teams finished undefeated in league to win titles.

San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande and Nipomo all wrapped up the regular season with wins to go 4-0 and secure league championships.

Meanwhile, Templeton won to finish the season in second place in Ocean League, as Morro Bay and Paso Robles lost in close games and Mission Prep fell to Arroyo Grande.

Local teams find out Saturday about their CIF Central Section playoff matchups to take place Nov. 8., according to coaches.

San Luis Obispo 35, Atascadero 0

San Luis Obispo needed one more win to cap off an undefeated Sunset League season, and they left no doubt.

The Tigers (9-1, 4-0 Sunset) shut out Atascadero (5-5, 3-1 Sunset) 35-0 in a matchup of unbeaten teams in league.

The Greyhounds had a chance to upset the Tigers for a league title, but SLO’s experience and line strength proved too much as the Tigers built a 14-0 halftime lead and didn’t let up in the second half.

“Our offensive line has been doing a great job all season,” said Coach Pat Johnston. “Ten years from now, 20 years from now, when these players come back to SLO High and see 2024 hanging in the gym, that means something and brings back those memories and the brotherhood that these guys share.”

Senior quarterback Jace Gomes got the scoring started with 6-yard and 15-yard touchdown runs in the first half. Gomes made multiple big third down rushing plays, nearly breaking loose for a long touchdown from midfield in the third quarter.

Colbin Garrison, Michael Milner and Jacob Garcia also had rushing touchdowns behind the powerful blocking of Owen Fawcett, Roman Lowell, Carter Sutcliff, Ben Davidson, Drew Howes and James Buttery.

Fawcett credited regular weightlifting for the line’s success.

“In spring, we have first period weight training, which starts before school and goes to the first period,” Fawcett said. “And then we have a summer lift, and then we left three days a week for normal season as well. It definitely paid off.”

Garrison said: “We’re ready for playoffs. We’re relatively healthy, so we’re gonna bring all we got next week.”

The Tigers were crowned league champions for the first time since 2019.

Arroyo Grande 42, Mission Prep 7

Arroyo Grande Coach Mike Hartman said that one of the goals was to “defend the league title” from last year, and “I’m super proud of the boys to go back to back.”

The Eagles (Arroyo Grande 8-2, 4-0 Mountain) were knotted 7-7 early in the game with the Royals (4-6, 1-3 Mountain) before they settled in to take control.

Zack Tayman had two rushing touchdowns, and Rocco Koory ran the ball into the end zone as well.

Quarterkback Sam Wulff had three throwing touchdowns, connecting with Garrett Lloyd, Caleb Clark and Gavin Cecena.

“We hope to get a home game in playoffs,” said Hartman, who expects a Division 1A seeding. “It’s big-boy football, so we have to be ready for a great challenge in the playoffs.”

Lompoc 20, Paso Robles 18

Paso Robles Coach Matt Carroll said his team’s defense played “lights out,” as the Bearcats fell in a close game to Lompoc.

“Marcus Garcia had a great game at quarterback with two touchdown passes,” Carroll said. “Matt Amman had 10 tackles on the night and did great. Lompoc’s quarterback had a great night running the football.”

Paso Robles (2-8, 0-4) was looking for its first league win of the season but fell just short.

Templeton 40, Cabrillo 21

Templeton (5-5, 3-1 Ocean) secured a second-place finish in league with a big offensive night.

Jaron Sampson had a pick-6 for the Eagles, who tallied four passing touchdowns, including a 49-yarder, and a rushing score on the night.

Templeton’s only league loss came on Oct. 25, a 17-14 defeat to Nipomo.

Nipomo 41, Morro Bay 35

The Titans (Nipomo 5-4-1, 4-0 Ocean) held the Pirates (4-6, 1-3 Ocean) in the red zone to finish out a close contest and remain undefeated in the Ocean League.

Nick Evans tallied three rushing touchdowns for Nipomo, with scoring also coming from Jake Camacho and Ayden Benzon, who each hauled in a receiving touchdown from quarterback Blayne Lowry.

“It was a really good team win,” said Nipomo Coach Stephen Field. “Both offenses played well at times and defense played well at times. We both had our moments, and it really reflects what our team’s doing and how all our guys really battled.”

Troy Simonson also had a rushing touchdown in the game.

This story was originally published November 2, 2024 at 12:01 AM.