GONZALES — For the first time since Oct. 5, 2019, the King City Mustangs will play the Gonzales Spartans.
The longest football rivalry in Monterey County will resume as King City will travel to Gonzales. Coming into this game on Friday, these two teams’ seasons seem to be going in different directions.
Gonzales is coming off a loss to Greenfield, a game in which they led 19-0 at one point, dropping them to 0-2.
King City will be well-rested after not playing last week against Carmel because of Covid-related issues within both programs. Prior to that, the Mustangs had won two games in a week against St. Francis and Greenfield.
Friday, Sept. 17
King City Mustangs (2-0) vs. Gonzales Spartans (0-2)
League Game
7:30 p.m. at Gonzales High
What We Know: Coming into this game, Gonzales has won the last couple times these teams have met. Prior to the 2018 season, King City had won the series from 2003 to 2017.
Gonzales Strengths: Gonzales has the offense to compete with anyone. Under offensive coordinator Tony Garcia, the team’s young quarterback is playing well.
Players to Watch: Juan Pablo “PJ” Acosta-Ayala is a quarterback who might break every QB record by the time he’s done. Gabriel Mendez, who plays on both sides of the ball, will cause trouble.
Questions: Can Gonzales develop any kind of running game to help out its young quarterback?
King City Strengths: The Mustangs have shown that they can run the ball, with three players rushing over 100 yards. But the Mustangs’ defense is coming off of a shutout.
Players to Watch: Alexis DeDios comes into this game having three interceptions and will have a showdown if he gets the opportunity to cover Gabriel Mendez. You can see the confidence from quarterback Jjey “The Humble One” Martinez with every snap takes.
Prediction (2-2 record): After the Gonzales loss, I’m concerned that Greenfield might have exposed many weaknesses that King City will take advantage of. So I’m going with the King City running game to keep Gonzales’ offense off the field. King City, 36-21.
