Morro Bay Pirates gear up for CIF challenge after victory over Orosi Cardinals

ATASCADERO — Despite their best efforts, the Atascadero Greyhounds 2023 football season has come to an end. After a well-fought game, the Greyhounds lost 41-13 against the Washington Union Panthers in their CIF quarterfinal game on Thursday, Nov. 9.

Following their state championship last year, the Greyhounds rolled to an undefeated regular season. Senior Kane Cooks remained a strong player throughout the year, alongside fellow senior Mateo Cano. Cooks ended his last Greyhound game throwing for 187 yards and two touchdowns, while Cano gained 85 total yards and a touchdown.

The visiting Panthers went out to a 27-0 halftime lead, before Mason Degnan’s impressive 35-yard reception and Cano’s 10-yard touchdown catch narrowed the gap, but Washington Union’s commanding run game proved insurmountable. 

Meanwhile, over on the coast, the Morro Bay Pirates will be heading to the next round of CIF after their 35-25 win against the Orosi Cardinals. Morro Bay fell behind after two Cardinal touchdowns (with two failed two-point conversion attempts). However, Luca Macari, the sophomore running back, carried the offense in the second quarter with two big runs for a Pirates touchdown. Morro Bay took a 14-12 lead from there and rode the tide to victory over visiting Orosi. 

The Pirates will be heading on the road to face Bishop Union in a Central Section Division V semifinal at 7 p.m. this Friday. If Morro Bay can win that one, they will face either Liberty or Wasco in the Division V championship game on Nov. 24.

Despite their best efforts, the Atascadero Greyhounds football team lost in the quarterfinal of the CIF Central Section Division III playoffs, 41-13 to visiting Washington Union. The Greyhounds finish the 2023 season with a 10-1 record. Photos by Rick Evans