Bearcats battle for shut-out win over Warriors
Paso Robles 30, Righetti 0
–After a bye week, the Paso Robles Bearcats were back in action Friday night as they hosted the Righetti Warriors at War Memorial Stadium before the hometown crowd on “Hall of Fame Night.” Benefiting from a week off that allowed injured players the opportunity to get healthy, the Bearcats shut out the Warriors by a score of 30-0.
The game was closer than the score indicated as both teams battled in the trenches. The Bearcats scored first on their opening drive in the first quarter. Led by junior running back Christian Erickson, the Bearcats drove to the Warriors’ 9-yard line. Junior running back Elijah Palomino ran up the middle for a 9-yard touchdown, with the PAT by kicker Jonathan Jaimes giving Paso Robles a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
The two teams struggled offensively throughout the first half, but the Bearcats defense helped to provide another score when junior safety Mark Armstrong intercepted a pass from Warrior freshman quarterback, Chase Artopoeus, and ran the ball in for a 23-yard touchdown. The PAT attempt failed, and Paso Robles took a 13-0 lead with 3:17 left in the first half.
The Bearcats defense continued to hold the Warriors and had one more chance to score before halftime. A 38-yard pass from quarterback Justin Davis to wide receiver Steven Schouten resulted in a sensational catch that put the Bearcats at the Righetti 20-yard line. Two plays later, a pass from Davis intended for wide receiver Ryan Silliman was deflected at the goal line and went straight into the arms of wide receiver Seth Matthysse, six yards deep in the end zone for a touchdown. Jaimes’ PAT was good and the Bearcats led 20-0 with 22 seconds remaining in the half.
The Warriors had a last second attempt for a touchdown stopped by an interception by Bearcats cornerback Zach Phillips in the end zone to end the half.
In the third quarter, both teams were unable to move the ball effectively on offense. Late in the quarter, Paso Robles punt returner Tristin Durfee fielded a punt at his own 37-yard line and outran the Righetti defenders for a 63-yard touchdown. The PAT gave Paso Robles a 27-0 lead.
The Bearcats would add a 44-yard field goal courtesy of Jaimes and held on for the remainder of the game to secure a 30-0 victory over the Warriors.
Paso Robles (2-1 PAC-5, 5-4 overall) will host the Atascadero Greyhounds (2-1 PAC-5, 7-2 overall) in a battle for second place in the PAC-5 League as they prepare for CIF playoffs. JV action starts at 4 p.m., with Varsity set to take the field at 7 p.m.