SOLEDAD — A disappointing showing last season in the Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission South Division is old news for the Soledad High School football team.
The Aztecs are more than ready to move on and be competitive this season, and third-year head coach Marc Villanueva is optimistic for what’s in store for the upcoming 2024 fall season.
“We expect to face tough competition every game in league,” he said. “We feel facing tough competition early in the preseason is always an opportunity to prepare and grow as a team and coaching staff for the league games.”
In 2023, Soledad placed sixth in the Mission South Division, going 1-5 in league play, and finished with a 2-8 overall record.
It was quite the turnaround following a PCAL Cypress Division title run and a trip to the Central Coast Section playoffs in 2022. But getting back to the postseason isn’t a stretch for the Aztecs.
Villanueva said the way the CCS playoff point system works, facing high competition early and being in a tough “B” league is advantageous to making a successful postseason run.
“We are looking forward to our preseason games since it’s always where we can gauge where we need to adjust personnel, finding identity to what we do best,” Villanueva said.
Soledad lost a big chunk of its offensive production with the departure of quarterback Ivan Salcido, wide receiver Victor Ruano and running back Damien Gonzales, who graduated after last season.
Salcido completed 32-of-74 pass attempts for 485 yards passing with seven touchdowns and two interceptions, and four rushing touchdowns. Six of those touchdown passes were caught by Ruano, while Gonzales finished with 210 yards rushing on 46 carries and three touchdowns.
That means the Aztecs will rely on the development of the players that went 10-0 at the junior varsity level just two years ago.
Senior linebacker and running back Danny Morales, an All-PCAL Second-Team honoree in 2023, is excited about the upcoming season. He finished last season with a team-best 39 tackles.
“This is our 10-0 team from JV, and we are seniors now,” Morales said. “We already have a connection with each other and we are a lot closer than last year’s team. We have guys that put in 100% for each other because of our bond we had at JV’s.”
Morales and fellow teammate Julio Camacho, who earned all-league second team offense honors, are ready to take charge.
Camacho led Soledad with 406 yards rushing on 72 carries and a pair of touchdowns. Villauneva said his star running back is an experienced player with good vision and sprinter speed.
Offensive linemen Cody Richardson and Melvin Rivera-Romero see their team as a program that can make its mark this fall.
“Everyone is locked in and we feel we can be good enough to finish 7-3 or 8-2 this year and get beyond the first round of CCS,” Richardson said. “We also want to win back the Heritage Trophy we lost in our game with Gonzales and the helmet plaque we lost to Greenfield. It is time to get those awards back to Soledad.”
Rivera-Romero, who plays at the center position for Soledad, would like the Aztecs to rise up and play at a level that will surprise their opponents.
“Last year was kind of rough and we want to get back to what Soledad is known for,” Rivera-Romero said. “We want to be that underdog team that can bring something that other teams do not expect. We have a new offense and it will really surprise the teams we play.”
The Soledad offensive system had made a few changes under the direction of Villanueva, who played quarterback at Soledad and Willamette University.
“We intend to run a multiple set pro style offense,” Villanueva said. “We will be more of a balanced offense.”
Villanueva has not named a starting quarterback, but DJ Valenzuela, last year’s starter as a sophomore, and Marco Negrete are battling for the starting job.
The Aztecs will be in a base 4-3 defense where Villanueva feels their biggest strength is overall athleticism. He mentioned one of their rising stars is returning linebacker Morales, who is smart and closes fast. Morales along with Christopher Rua-Chico at defensive end look to anchor the defense.
Villanueva will be assisted by defensive coordinator Eric Rodriguez — a football coach at Soledad for the past 21 years, including a few seasons as head coach.
“I am looking forward to this upcoming season as I have quite a bit of returners coming back from last season,” Rodriguez said. “We want to be a fast aggressive defense flowing downhill, communicating and everybody doing their jobs.”
SOLEDAD HIGH 2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 30: Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, 7:30pm
Sept. 6: vs. Gonzales, at Soledad High, 7:30pm
Sept. 14: Branham, 12:30pm
Sept. 20: Santa Cruz, 7:30pm
Sept. 27: Carmel*, 7:30pm
Oct. 11: at Rancho San Juan*, 7:30pm
Oct. 18: Pacific Grove*, 7:30pm
Oct. 25: Greenfield*, 7:30pm
Nov. 2: vs. North Salinas*, at Rabobank Stadium, 7:30pm
Nov. 8: at King City*, 7:30pm
*PCAL Mission South Division game
