North County football teams open season with mixed results

By Camille DeVaul · Wed Aug 26 2026

Templeton rolls past Caruthers, while Paso Robles falls to Bishop Diego and Atascadero starts strong against Delano

NORTH COUNTY — The first Friday night of the high school football season brought a little bit of everything for North County teams. Templeton opened with a dominant road victory, Atascadero cruised to a win in its home opener, and Paso Robles went toe-to-toe with a heavily favored Bishop Diego squad before falling short.

Atascadero News caught up with the head coaches to get their thoughts on how their teams performed in the season openers.

Templeton Eagles

The Templeton Eagles wasted little time making a statement in their season opener, traveling to Caruthers on Friday and returning home with a 41-8 victory over the Blue Raiders.

The win gives Templeton a 1-0 start after a strong 2025 campaign in which the Eagles finished 12-1 overall and went 4-0 in league play.

Head coach Don Crow said the team has a strong group of returners from last season and believes the Eagles have the potential for another successful year.

“We have a good group of returners from last year. If we can stay healthy and keep working hard we could have another very good season,” Crow told Atascadero News.

The Eagles will look to make it two straight wins when they host Santa Maria at 7:15 p.m. this Friday.

Paso Robles Bearcats

Paso Robles opened its season at home Friday against one of the tougher opponents on its schedule, hosting perennial power Bishop Diego.

The Bearcats ultimately fell 37-24, but head coach Matt Carroll told us the final score did not tell the entire story of a game in which Paso Robles remained within striking distance against a heavily favored opponent.

“I was very happy with our performance,” Carroll said. “Bishop Diego is a historically great program with a high ranking, and they were the 35-point favorite. We were one or two plays with the ball bouncing our way away from a win.”

Paso Robles received a strong performance from sophomore running back Aiden Messina, who rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 7.8 yards per carry.

Vincent Berligneri started at quarterback and threw a touchdown pass to Emmett Dobroth.

Carroll said the team showed character, attitude, and toughness against a difficult opponent and that the team has plenty of room to grow during the preseason.

“We have a tough preseason before Sunset League play, and we are excited to see how the team progresses this season,” he said.

The Bearcats finished 4-7 overall and 2-2 in league play last season.

Paso Robles will try to even its record Friday when it travels to face Arroyo Grande at 7 p.m.

Atascadero Greyhounds

Atascadero got its season off to a winning start Thursday, defeating Delano 33-14 in the Greyhounds' home opener.

Atascadero controlled the game early, building a 27-0 advantage by the end of the third quarter before Delano managed to cut into the deficit. The Tigers were unable to complete the comeback, however, and the Greyhounds finished with the 19-point victory.

“It was a good first game for us,” Atascadero head coach Dan Loney told ATN. “When you come away with a ‘W,’ that's a good thing.”

Loney said the Greyhounds still have plenty to improve upon but was pleased with the way the season began.

“We have a lot to work on and to strive for, but it was a great start,” he said. “I look forward to watching this team mature and grow throughout the season.”

Atascadero finished last season 5-6 overall and 2-2 in league play.

The Greyhounds will look to move to 2-0 when they host Golden Valley at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28.

With all three North County teams now having a game under their belts, the focus turns to Week 2. Atascadero News will be covering each team's progress as the season unfolds this fall.

Feature Image: The Atascadero High football team takes the field for the second half of its season opener against Delano on Aug. 21. The Greyhounds won the game 33-14. Photo by Rick Evans/ATN