The PAC-7's rushing machine asserted its will, once again, in the trenches.

With only a win over Arroyo Grande separating it from a league showdown for first place with Paso Robles, Atascadero put on its typical ground display on Friday, driving behind the powerful Nick Tenhaeff in a 34-10 win over Arroyo Grande on homecoming night.

Tenhaeff needed just 12 carries to reach 125 yards, and added two more touchdowns to his resume, which this season alone reads 19.

“They were able to control the ball on the ground against us, they took control of the line of scrimmage,” Arroyo Grande coach Tom Goossen said.

Atascadero has gained nearly six yards per carry, and has struck for 24 touchdowns via the rush this season. Tenhaeff came in with 1,258 yards on 176 carries, greater than seven yards a carry and more than 150 yards a game. And all but one of the Greyhound touchdowns on Friday came courtesy of the run.

Atascadero kept pace with Paso Robles, which earned a 48-21 win over San Luis Obispo. The Cats and Dogs face off for the league title on Friday - both teams currently undefeated in the PAC-7. Arroyo Grande dropped to 4-5 overall, 1-3 in the PAC-7.

On defense, the Bearcats pressured sophomore quarterback Kyle Kleinsmith, often forcing him out of the pocket. When he did get the pass off, it was usually hurried or well-covered by the secondary. Kleinsmith finished 3-of-6 for 32 yards, and was picked off once.

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“It's not easy being a sophomore and going against a quality team like this,” Goossen said of Kleinsmith, who replaced the injured Clark Goossen early in the season.

Arroyo Grande did find some success on the ground with the crafty Christian Crichton. Crichton carried 20 times for 64 yards. Jordan Murray and Ryan Hickey were also effective on the ground for the Eagles.

Bo Cabalar made the most of his six carries for 40 yards, before suffering a neck injury early in the fourth quarter. Cabalar remained on the grass for more than 10 minutes before an ambulance took him to the hospital.

“Bo is fine,” Goossen said. “He has all his movement. We were being very cautious. He has great strength.”

Cabalar and Crichton flexed their muscles early, driving the Eagles into Bearcat territory. However, when Arroyo Grande went to the air, it found little success - and was forced to punt.

Atascadero immediately marched down the field, Tenhaeff carrying three times and catching one pass from the slot position for 31 yards. He capped the drive with a 5-yard plunge.

Arroyo Grande's passing problems continued when Atascadero's Michael Lombardi read the coverage and intercepted a Kleinsmith out-pattern pass, setting up Trevor Demster's 10-yard touchdown run on an end-around.

Atascadero assumed a 20-0 lead on Tenhaeff's 11-yard run with 8:15 left in the half.

Neither did the Greyhounds give the Eagles any room to breath on special teams. Kicker Nathan Stein showed off an impressive foot all night, sticking the Eagles with touchback after touchback.

The Eagles kept going to Crichton, who led them down the field for their first points just before the half. Kyle Thomas kicked a 35-yard field goal to make the score 20-3.

“He's just a sophomore,” Goossen said of Crichton. “His heart's bigger than his actual size.”

The halftime festivities included a parade of homecoming floats, and an appearance from Grand Marshall Stephanie Brown Trafton, who won the discus gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. Brown Trafton is a much-celebrated graduate of the school.

“How rare is it for an Olympic gold medalist to be a part of your school,” Goossen said. “I remember watching her compete in Beijing. I was getting goosebumps.”

Brown Trafton spoke to a gym full of Eagles at an assembly in the morning, and signed autographs at a booth throughout the game.

Atascadero's first-team all but signed off for the night after its third-quarter performance.

Atascadero continued to open up gaps in the second half. Arroyo Grande opened with a surprise onside kick, but touched the ball before the regulation 10 yards were accounted for. Nine plays later - one of those plays a “wildcat” offense attempt, in which the running back directly receives the snap - Atascadero scored again, this time on Trevor Holloway's 2-yard burst.

Atascadero's final touchdown came on quarterback Bradley Smet's 36-yard pass to Tanner Kuhnle.

Arroyo Grande did put together a nice fourth-quarter drive, resulting in Jordan Murray's 3-yard touchdown.

Arroyo Grande finishes league play with a game Friday against Righetti at Warrior Stadium.

November 8, 2008