Bearcats suffer heartbreaking loss to Braves
Lompoc 35, Paso Robles 34
–The Paso Robles Bearcats (2-2 PAC-5, 5-6 overall) traveled to Lompoc on Friday night to face the Braves (4-0 LPL, 10-1 overall) in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Northern Division playoffs. The defending CIF champion Bearcats went toe-to-toe with the Braves but came up one point short, falling 35-34.
Lompoc took the opening kickoff and drove to the Paso Robles 33-yard line when running back Chris Green fumbled. The Bearcats recovered the fumble, but were unable to move and punted to Lompoc. The Braves went 90 yards and scored on 1-yard touchdown run by Toa Taua. The PAT was blocked and Lompoc took a 6-0 lead.
Paso Robles came back, with running backs Christian Erickson and Matt Keller taking the Bearcats to the Lompoc 1-yard line. Running back Elijah Palomino scored and the PAT was good, giving the Bearcats a 7-6 lead with 10:15 left in half.
Lompoc came back quickly and marched 66 yards, with Green scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run. A 2-point PAT was good, giving the Braves a 14-7 lead with 8:32 left in half.
Paso Robles started their next drive at their own 18-yard line. Erickson took the hand-off and ran outside, then cut back as he raced 82 yards for the touchdown. The PAT was good and the Bearcats tied up the score, 14-14 with 8:14 left in the half.
On the Braves’ first play after the kick-off, quarterback Torey Sims fumbled and the Bearcats recovered the ball at the Lompoc 33-yard line. Erickson and Keller combined to get ball to the 18-yard line for the Bearcats; Erickson ran for an 18-yard touchdown and, with the PAT good, the Bearcats led the Braves, 21-14 with 6:16 left in half.
The Braves started from their own 26-yard line and powered their way to the Paso Robles 2-yard line where Tuau scored his second touchdown of the night. With the PAT good, Lompoc tied the score at 21-21.
Paso mounted one final drive in the first half and had the ball at the Lompoc 47-yard line. Bearcat quarterback Justin Davis attempted the first and only pass by either team in the first half, but the ball was intercepted by Lompoc at the 10-yard line to end the half with the score tied, 21-21.
The Bearcats had the ball to start the second half and were at their own 20-yard line. They were able to move the ball effectively behind a solid performance by their offensive line. The momentum changed quickly when Lompoc recovered a Paso Robles fumble at midfield. Three plays later, Sims outran the Bearcats for a 46-yard touchdown. The PAT was good, giving the Braves a 28-21 lead with 6:34 left in the third quarter.
The Bearcats kept with their game plan and stayed on the ground. A 13 play drive culminated with a 2- yard touchdown run by Erickson. The PAT was good and, once again, the Bearcats tied up the game, with the scoreboard reading 28-28 with 1:24 left in the third quarter.
The game resembled a heavyweight fight as both offenses dominated throughout the night. The Braves responded with another impressive drive which resulted in a 5-yard touchdown run by Sims. The PAT was good and Lompoc took over with a 35-28 lead with 9:28 left in the game.
The Bearcats used their Erickson/Keller combination to perfection as they drove to the Lompoc 3-yard line. Keller took it in for the touchdown and, with 5:13 left in the game, the Bearcats chose to go for the lead and attempt a 2-point conversion. Unfortunately, the pass from Davis to Evan Espinoza was incomplete and the Bearcats trailed the Braves, 35-34.
The Bearcats would get one more chance to score late in the game, but a fumble was recovered by Lompoc to end Paso Robles’ season and their hope of advancing further in CIF.
Photos of Paso Robles/Lompoc game will be posted later this weekend.
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