Photo by Aaron Crutchfield - Atascadero running back Sterling Bullard evades some Gilroy defenders during the Greyhounds’ 48-34 win on Friday. Bullard had 180 yards in the win.

The Atascadero High School varsity football team’s offensive line made a return to its glory days and the result was 439 rushing yards as the Greyhounds beat Gilroy 48-34 on Friday.

“The line surged off the ball, they got off the ball really good,” said running back Tanner Thompson, who was one of three to rush for more than 100 yards. “I felt good. I felt the line was going to protect me and the fullback was going to protect me and make the holes.”

Sterling Bullard had 180 yards on 19 carries while Thompson had 124 yards on 11 carries and Tanner Kuhnle had 112 yards on 11 carries.

For some perspective, Bullard’s longest run against Gilroy was 35 yards, which in one play matched his total for the entire game against Clovis a week prior. The 124 yards Thompson ran for alone against Gilroy was more than the entire team ran for against Clovis.

Heading into the game, it appeared that the Hounds might be able to have a big day on the ground, as Archbishop Mitty ran for 328 yards against the Mustangs a week before.

The running game was working so well for Atascadero that the Hounds didn’t attempt a pass the entire second half —Quarterback Jesse Whitten ended up going 3-for-6 for 28 yards and one interception. Even when the Mustangs stacked the box with nearly the entire defense late in the game, Atascadero still moved the ball with ease.

For the complete article see the 09-23-2009 issue.

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