Bearcats’ early lead slips away as Coyotes triumph 42-21

– The Paso Robles High School Bearcats football team stumbled in their home debut on Friday night, falling to Madera High School 42-21 at War Memorial Stadium.

The Bearcats opened the game with total offensive control, quickly making their way down the field as they rushed the ball effectively, making it hard for Madera to get a stop.

A key 15-yard facemask penalty against the Coyotes helped push the Bearcats deeper into Coyotes territory on their opening possession.

The Bearcats dominated the first eight minutes of the opening quarter, controlling the offensive possession. However, despite controlling possession for much of the quarter, the Bearcats could not capitalize fully, and the Coyotes’ defense held firm.

Coyotes made a quick strike to start the second quarter, scoring a touchdown to go up 6-0 just minutes into the quarter. The extra point was added with a successful kick to mark the score 7-0.

The Bearcats wasted no time and immediately struck back when junior quarterback Marcus Garcia completed a 60-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Emmett Dobroth, tying the game 7-7.

With just minutes remaining in the quarter, the Bearcats advanced inside the red zone when quarterback Garcia punched in an eight-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Bearcats up 14-7 going into halftime.

Coming out of halftime, the Coyotes regained their rhythm, executing well off their offensive plays and gaining ground near their goal.

A 15-yard pass in the end zone tied them again at 14-14 midway through the third quarter.

Moments later, the Bearcats in possession fumbled the ball at their own 20-yard line, allowing the Coyotes to capitalize with a 20-yard fumble return touchdown, regaining the lead 21-14.

The Bearcats answered with a stunning 65-yard rushing touchdown by junior running back Yannis Gelos, tying the game once more at 21-21.

On a fourth-down field goal attempt, the Bearcats were penalized for roughing the kicker, granting the Coyotes an automatic first down. The Coyotes took advantage of the extended drive, scoring a touchdown to take a 28-21 lead late in the quarter.

In the final quarter, the Coyotes’ defense made a crucial stand, blocking a Bearcats punt to regain possession at the Bearcats’ 15-yard line. The Coyotes converted the opportunity into an 8-yard rushing touchdown, extending their lead once again to 35-21.

To regain possession, the Coyotes executed a successful onside kick recovery. Inside the red zone, Madera scored on a two-yard rushing touchdown to extend their lead to 42-21. With time running out, the Coyotes kept the game out of reach and defeated the Bearcats at their home territory.

The Bearcats, now 1-2, are looking to turn things around in their upcoming road game against the Righetti Warriors on Friday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.

Despite the challenging loss, Paso Robles head coach Matt Carroll emphasized the importance of improvement going into next week’s practices. “We got to hone in and focus on a few things and get continuously better each week,” Carroll said. “We’re 1-2; it’s not the end of the world. We have to correct mistakes; that’s the biggest thing.”