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Bearcats fall to Indians, 56-35, in CIF action 

After taking second in PAC 7, Paso’s postseason comes to an end

The players on the Paso Robles High School varsity football team kept their hometown crowd fired up throughout their battle with the visiting Hart Indians on Friday in the first round of CIF Southern Section Northern Division playoffs at War Memorial Stadium. Although they met their opponents head on for the first three quarters, the Bearcats (8-4) were unable to stop the hammering force of the Hart offense in the fourth quarter when the Indians (9-3) scored three consecutive touchdowns to claim the 56-35 win.

PRHS kicker Bryce Pasky was 5 for 5 on PATs for the Bearcats in Friday's CIF games against the Hart Indians.

PRHS kicker Bryce Pasky was 5 for 5 on PATs for the Bearcats in Friday’s CIF games against the Hart Indians.   Photo by Meagan Friberg.

The first quarter, despite being scoreless, was thrilling nonetheless, including a stellar interception in Hart’s end zone by Paso High junior Parker Gray and a 56-yard pass reception from Bearcat quarterback Gunnar Griffin to Bailey Gaither.

In the second quarter, things got a bit more exciting. Another interception by Gray gave the Paso offense the opportunity to move the ball down the field in a series of plays that set up Nathanial Harris for a 2-yard touchdown. Bryce Pasky kicked in the PAT and the Bearcats took a 7-0 lead with 8:14 remaining in the half.

Hart responded with a touchdown of its own with 5:21 left in the second quarter to tie things up, 7-7, and the two teams added points to the scoreboard in a back and forth battle for the remainder of the quarter. Gaither scored for Paso on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Griffin with 1:40 left in the quarter before Hart scored a 55-yard touchdown with 51 seconds remaining to tie it up, 14-14. Just seconds later, Gaither brought the crowd to its feet when he scored for the Bearcats on a 91-yard kickoff return and the Indians scored at the 9 second mark as Paso and Hart entered halftime tied, 21-21.

The Indians took the lead for the first time in the game in the third quarter. The Bearcats blocked the PAT as the scoreboard read 27-21 in Hart’s favor. Paso had a key turnaround and took back the lead, 28-27, as they recovered a Hart fumble and, several plays later, Harris ran in a 1-yard touchdown.
Hart followed up with a touchdown of its own followed by a 2-point conversion. With 50 seconds left in the third quarter, Griffin threw a 74-yard touchdown pass to Gaither and, after the PAT by Pasky, the Bearcats caught up with the Indians, 35-35.

That did not sit well with the Hart players and they prevented the Bearcats from scoring for the remainder of the game. Hart regained the lead with a touchdown at the 10:35 mark; scored another touchdown on a pass interception with 9:18 remaining and then the Indians sealed the victory with their final touchdown of the night four minutes later to beat the Paso Bearcats, 56-35.

Griffin completed 12 of 24 passes for 260 yards with two passing touchdowns and an interception for Paso. Gaither finished with 188 yards receiving on six catches and scored two touchdowns. Harris finished with 84 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns. Pasky was 5 for 5 on PATs for the Bearcats.

Overall, it was a successful season for the Paso High Bearcats – they faced every challenge with strength and determination, they never stopped, never gave up and finished second in the PAC 7 League.

–Meagan Friberg, Paso Robles Daily News

Photos below courtesy of Jennifer Railsback. See more of Jennifer’s photos at https://www.facebook.com./2013PrhsVarsityBearcatFootball.

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About the author: Reporter Meagan Friberg

Meagan Friberg is a reporter for the Paso Robles Daily News and A-Town Daily News.