Greyhounds can’t overcome turnovers in 30-15 loss against Paso Robles 

Photo by Joslen Jimenez.

– In the 96th meeting between the Atascadero High School and Paso Robles High School football teams, the Greyhounds fell to the Bearcats by a score of 30-15. Atascadero moves to 1-3 on the year, while Paso Robles’ win makes them 2-3.

The stadium was packed and the atmosphere was intense as another installment of the North County rivalry between Atascadero and Paso Robles kicked off.

The Bearcats received the ball first and were determined to sustain a long drive. The Greyhounds forced multiple 4th downs on the possession, but Paso Robles found a way to convert every time, making their way through Atascadero territory. Senior runningback Lane Gardner ran the ball in from three yards out for the opening score of the game. However, senior Brandon England missed the extra point, making it 6-0 Paso Robles with two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

In opposition to the Bearcats’ drive, Atascadero went for the homerun on their first offensive play. Sophomore quarterback Michael Trejo went deep, looking for his target who was smothered and couldn’t hold on to the pass. Much to the dismay of Atascadero and their fans, no flag was thrown and the pass was ruled incomplete.

The Greyhounds didn’t let the setback stall their possession however, as Trejo found senior receiver Josiah Gaona on a go-route for a 36-yard gain to end the first quarter. Senior Austin Smith got the ball and bounced it outside, finding the endzone at the beginning of the second quarter. Atascadero converted the PAT, giving them the 7-6 lead.

Paso Robles received the ball back, but the Greyhounds forced a quick three-and-out and got back on offense. Joseph Hyde got his first carries of the game, and Atascadero made it to the red zone off of his legs. With first and goal inside the Bearcat 10, the Greyhounds looked to extend their lead but were stopped in the backfield for minimal gain multiple times. On fourth down, Trejo couldn’t connect with his receiver and Paso Robles took over with three minutes left in the half.

Taking over at the three-yard line, junior quarterback Marcus Garcia rolled out in his own endzone, reversed the field while dodging some defenders, and kept the ball for a 29-yard gain. The drive would stall though, as Garcia was stopped in the backfield twice and the Bearcats were forced to punt.

Photo by Joslen Jimenez.

Atascadero took over with 20 seconds to go in the half, but Trejo was intercepted on the final play of the quarter.

Receiving the ball to start the half, the Greyhounds made some short gains to drive the ball to the 36, but Smith fumbled the ball and Paso Robles recovered.

With a short field to work with, the Bearcats found some first downs before Garcia found Jonathan Druding for the score. Paso Robles lined up for a two-point conversion but failed to get in the endzone, keeping the score at 12-7.

Falling behind again, Atascadero once again leaned on the legs of Hyde to drive down the field. Trejo faked a handoff and found Gaona open down the seam, who sped down the field for a touchdown. The Greyhounds elected to go for two, as Smith bowled into the endzone to make the score 15-12.

Atascadero’s defense held strong and forced another Bearcat three and out, giving their offense the opportunity to extend the lead. Damon Mitchell received the punt and found a hole, taking the ball all the way to the Paso Robles 25 before going down.

However, just as the Greyhounds looked to run away with the game, Matthew Ammann ripped the ball right out of Trejo’s hands as he dropped back, taking the ball 85 yards back for the touchdown. Another PAT was missed, and out of nowhere, the Bearcats had an 18-15 lead.

Shocked by the 12-point swing on the prior drive, Atascadero couldn’t find much success on offense and was forced to punt again as the fourth quarter began. Paso Robles had another offensive possession on their hands, and despite the best efforts from the Greyhound defense, England scored on a run to put the Cats up 24-15.

Offensive woes continued for Atascadero, who couldn’t find their footing after the crushing fumble-six. Another punt gave Paso Robles the ball back, and a good return put them inside Greyhound territory. England bounced the ball outside and found the corner, speeding down the sideline for his second touchdown of the night.

As the score sat at 30-15 with two minutes remaining in the contest, the Greyhounds searched for a miracle on offense but failed to find a score.

With league play on the horizon, Atascadero will need to put this loss behind them and string together some good performances if they want to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Up next, the Greyhounds will travel to Templeton to take on the Eagles on Friday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m.

-By Lano Somotun