Football rivalry: Atascadero 31, Paso Robles 14

Posted: 5:30 am, November 9, 2015 by Meagan Friberg

PRHS Bearcats, AHS Greyhounds, Meagan Friberg

The Paso Robles Bearcats and Atascadero Greyhounds face off in their annual cross-town rivalry game on Friday night at War Memorial Stadium. The Hounds outscored the Bearcats, 31-14. Photo by Meagan Friberg

UPDATE: Full game report with photos

Greyhounds outlast the Bearcats

–Paso Robles hosted Atascadero on Friday night at War Memorial stadium in the Bearcats and Greyhounds’ annual North County rivalry game. For the third year straight, the Hounds claimed second place in the PAC-5 and a CIF Playoff spot as they outscored the Bearcats, 31-14. With the loss, the Bearcats take third place in league and a potential “at large berth” in the playoffs; announcements are scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

PRHS Bearcats, AHS Greyhounds, Zach Quigley, Meagan Friberg

Atascadero defensive back Zach Quigley, after picking up the ball on a fumble recovery, runs 79 yards for a Greyhound touchdown. Photo by Meagan Friberg

Atascadero took advantage of Paso Robles’ turnovers and penalties throughout the game and scored first on a 28-yard field goal by Logan Armstrong for a 3-0 lead. On the Bearcats’ next possession, a pass from quarterback Justin Davis intended for Steven Schouten was intercepted by Atascadero’s Lucas Sprouse. The Hounds marched down field and scored on a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Marc Martin. After the PAT, Atascadero took a 10-0 lead with 30 seconds left in the first quarter.

PRHS Bearcats, AHS Greyhounds, Marc Martin, Meagan Friberg

Atascadero Greyhounds running back Marc Martin breaks free of the Bearcats on his way to scoring one of his two touchdowns of the night against Paso Robles. Photo by Meagan Friberg

The Bearcats came back quickly and a 48-yard pass from Davis to Schouten put the ball at the Hounds’ 33-yard line. On a fourth down and three at the 25-yard line, Schouten took the hand-off on a sweep and had the ball knocked loose. Atascadero defensive back Zach Quigley picked up the ball and outran the Bearcats for a 79-yard touchdown. The PAT was good, giving the Greyhounds a 17-0 lead with 10 minutes left in the half.

PRHS Bearcats, AHS Greyhounds, Steven Schouten, Meagan Friberg

Paso Robles’ Steven Schouten takes control of the ball for the Bearcats. Photo by Meagan Friberg

The Bearcats came back again and had the ball at the Atascadero 24-yard line. A pass from Davis to Schouten on a post pattern was intercepted in the end zone by Sprouse, his second of the game.

PRHS Bearcats, AHS Greyhounds, Joshua Plale, Meagan Friberg

Bearcat Joshua Plale brings down a Greyhound. Photo by Meagan Friberg

With two minutes left in the half, Atascadero managed to drive to the Paso Robles 4-yard line. With just seven seconds left, Hounds quarterback Carson Rinkenberger threw a pass to Isaiah Cooks in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown and, with the PAT good, Atascadero had a commanding 24-0 lead at halftime.

PRHS Bearcats, AHS Greyhounds, R.J. Reusche, Meagan Friberg

Atascadero running back R.J. Reusche breaks free from the Bearcats to gain yards for the Greyhounds. Photo by Meagan Friberg

The Hounds used a time-consuming drive to start the second half and had the ball at the Bearcats 4-yard line when they were forced to attempt a field goal. An off-sides penalty against the Paso Robles gave Atascadero another chance to score a touchdown as Martin ran untouched into the end zone. With the PAT, the scoreboard at War Memorial showed the Hounds ahead, 31-0, giving the hometown Paso Robles crowd little to cheer about.

PRHS Bearcats, AHS Greyhounds, Christian Erickson, Meagan Friberg

Paso Robles running back Christian Erickson moves past the Greyhounds. Photo by Meagan Friberg

The Bearcats’ first score of the night came late in the third quarter on an 8-yard touchdown run by Christian Erickson, who was held to 80 yards on the night. They scored again in the fourth quarter on a perfect pass from Davis to Schouten for a 24-yard touchdown. But it would be too little, too late for Paso Robles as the Bearcats fell to the Atascadero Greyhounds, 31-14.

PRHS Bearcats, AHS Greyhounds, Lucas Sprouse, Justin Davis, Steven Schouten, Meagan Friberg

Atascadero’s Lucas Sprouse intercepts a pass from Bearcat quarterback Justin Davis intended for Steven Schouten in the end zone for the Greyhounds. Photo by Meagan Friberg

With the win, Atascadero finished the regular season at 3-1 in PAC-5 and 8-2 overall. Paso Robles ended the regular season at 2-2 PAC-5, 5-5 overall. CIF playoff match-ups are due to be announced by Sunday afternoon. Check Paso Robles Daily News and A-town Daily News for Bearcat and Greyhounds updates, including game dates, times, and locations.

PRHS Bearcats, AHS Greyhounds, Nathan Fulmer, Nick Montelongo, Matthew Keller, R.J. Reusche, Meagan Friberg

Paso Robles Bearcats Nathan Fulmer, Nick Montelongo, and Matthew Keller team up to bring down Atascadero’s R.J. Reusche. Photo by Meagan Friberg

The Bearcat offensive line clears a hole for running back Christian Erickson. The junior scored a touchdown for Paso Robles and was held to 80 yards on the night. Photo by Meagan Friberg

ORIGINAL BRIEF from 11-7-15 a.m.:

The Atascadero Greyhounds beat the Paso Robles Bearcats in Friday night’s rivalry football game at War Memorial Stadium in Paso Robles. The final score was 31-14.

The Paso Robles/Atascadero rivalry is one of the longest running on the Central Coast. Since 1920, the Bearcats hold a 51-31 record against the Greyhounds.

Full story to follow…