Host Pirates put five touchdowns on the board in 35-0 victory

by Camille DeVaul and Michael Chaldu

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero High Greyhounds opened their 2022 football season on Friday, Aug. 19, with a tough loss against Santa Ynez, falling to the Pirates by a 35-0 score.

Though it was clear both teams may have been dealing with first-game jitters, the Santa Ynez Pirates dominated in the trenches and the air.

“The issue wasn’t effort or attitude. It was just execution,” said Atascadero Coach Vic Cooper, “I think that will be easier to work on.”

In the game’s first drive, a short pass from Santa Ynez quarterback Luke Gildred resulted in receiver Daulton Beard breaking through one tackle and shaking off a second defender for a massive 82-yard touchdown.

A second touchdown for the Pirates was executed by Isaac Moran, who caught a 17-yard pass from Gildred and scored after bulldozing through a tackle to get into the end zone. At this point, the fans noticed the clear gap in size between Santa Ynez and Atascadero.

The Greyhounds were able to keep the Pirates from advancing too far ahead in the second quarter.

Santa Ynez came through with only one touchdown with a 1-yard run by Moran that was set up by a well-placed 17-yard pass from Gildred to a pretty wide-open Beard.

The Greyhounds’ Kaleb Pryor was able to make a play, intercepting Gildred at the Atascadero 2-yard line when the Pirates were threatening, saving the Greyhounds from another Santa Ynez touchdown leading into half-time. 

The closest the Greyhounds came to scoring any points was a 37-yard field goal attempt by Skylar Silva that was blocked by Santa Ynez.

After halftime, the Pirates were able to gain two more touchdowns in the third quarter.

Gildred threw another impressive 41-yard pass to Cole Swain for the Pirates’ fourth touchdown, then later in the third, Santa Ynez would pick up a fumble for a scoop-and-score touchdown.

“To be truthful, both teams had first-game issues; they were just able to get past that tonight,” said Cooper. “I saw some good things from us tonight. We have the personality to get past this. This was disappointing, but the key is the jump we can make to improve next week, and then the week after that when we play Paso Robles.”

“But for now, we just need to check out the game film and get ready for (our next opponent) Bakersfield North.”

Greyhounds will have its home opener this Friday, Aug. 26, against Bakersfield North and then host Paso Robles on Sept. 2.