Montclair Prep Gets Shut Down and Out, 34-0

In a matchup of unbeaten champions, Atascadero shut out Montclair Prep, 34-0, Saturday night in a Southern Section Division IX semifinal game at Atascadero High.

Atascadero (13-0), the defending Division IX champion, out-gained Montclair Prep (11-1), the defending Division X champion, 260 to 104 and dominated from start to finish.

The game was characterized by Montclair Prep’s Coach George Giannini as a “battle of our speed versus their power.”

The Mounties’ speed came up short as Atascadero controlled the line on both sides of the ball.

Atascadero began the scoring early, taking the opening kickoff and moving 47 yards in five plays and scoring on Josh Brown’s three-yard touchdown run.

Joey Beckwith’s two-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter put the Greyhounds up, 14-0.

Beckwith ran 15 times for 170 yards and three touchdowns.

The Mounties fired back late in the second quarter. Akil Anderson’s 41-yard halfback option pass to Ken Peffer gave Montclair Prep hope but five plays later Anwawn Jones fumbled the ball away at the Atascadero 15.

Atascadero scored four plays later on Beckwith’s 63-yard touchdown run to stretch the lead to 21-0.

The Greyhounds added to their lead with four minutes remaining in the half when quarterback Danny Miranda ran for a one-yard touchdown to cap an 89-yard, six-play drive.

Peffer fumbled a punt at the Mounties’ 20 early in the third quarter and the Greyhounds scored five plays later on a two-yard run by Beckwith.

Anderson was held to 30 yards in nine carries.