SALINAS VALLEY — The Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales high school football teams concluded their 2025 seasons last Friday night.
The Greenfield Bruins (1-9) won their first game of the season, defeating the Rancho San Juan Trailblazers, 34-7; Soledad traveled to Salinas and beat the Everett Alvarez Eagles, 28-16; and Gonzales lost 39-36 to the Santa Cruz Cardinals.
GREENFIELD
Greenfield’s Travis Ryan ran for 205 yards on 20 carries against the visiting Trailblazers on Friday. Leading Ryan at the line were Nisael Gonzalez, Xacheria Banuelos and Santana Vegas.
“It was a bittersweet win as many of the players had played on our championship team and it was their last game,” said Greenfield head coach Adam Barcenas. “We will prepare this off-season to improve our record.”
The Bruins took a 28-7 lead in the third quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Nava to Francisco Hernandez.
Defensively, Angel Hernandez had eight tackles and Kenny Pajas added six tackles. Gonzalez, playing at defensive, finished the game with a sack, while Raul Lenguas led the Bruins with three sacks.
Greenfield ended the season with a 1-9 record and was 0-5 in the Mission South.
SOLEDAD
On Friday, the Soledad Aztecs held a 28-0 lead until the final quarter when the Eagles managed two scores.
Soledad took a 14-0 halftime lead with a DJ Valenzuela pass of 20 yards to Chris Gonzales and a PAT by Marcos Negrete, and a 15-yard pass play from Valenzuela to Julian Velasquez and PAT by Negrete. Kenny Valdez scored on an 18-yard run, and Valenzuela threw a 30-yard pass to Daniel Garcia.
Valenzuela led the Aztecs with over 200 passing yards and Gio Gallegos led the rushing attack with 67 yards.
On defense, Soledad was led by linebackers Daniel Garcia and Xavier Ovalle. Aiden Raso contributed to the 28-16 win with two interceptions from his safety position.
The Aztecs completed the season with a 3-2 mark in the Mission South and were 4-6 overall.
“This season we had lots of young players, and they had to learn the game at the varsity level,” said Soledad head coach Eric Rodriguez. “The game with Alvarez was easily our best game of the season. We should be a better team next season.”
GONZALES
At Dick Force Stadium last Friday, the host Gonzales Spartans put up a strong fight against the Santa Cruz Cardinals, who claimed the Santa Lucia Division title with the victory.
The Cardinals took the first lead of the game at 6-0 with a 26-yard pass play in the first quarter. Santa Cruz missed on the PAT. Gonzales tied the game at 6-6 on a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jordan Askew to Jorge Uribe. Luis Cabada kicked the PAT to give the Spartans a 7-6 lead.
Santa Cruz took a 13-7 lead in the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run and PAT. Gonzales answered back as Jaden Uribe scored on a three-yard touchdown run and Cabada added the PAT. Gonzales took the 14-13 lead into the halftime intermission.
The Cardinal took a 32-21 lead by scoring three touchdowns in the third quarter. The Spartans were able to briefly take the lead at 21-19 on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Askew to Cabada.
Gonzales got back on the scoreboard with a three-yard touchdown pass from Askew to Jorge Uribe and added a two-point conversion by Jaden Uribe to cut the deficit to 32-29. A 24-yard touchdown run by Santa Cruz gave the Cardinals a 10-point advantage.
Gonzales finished the game with a 68-yard touchdown pass from Askew to Jorge Uribe that got the fans on their feet. The game ended minutes later with Santa Cruz winning, 39-36.
“There were a few calls that didn’t go our way, but we were in the game until the end,” said Gonzales head coach Eddy Ramirez. “Jorge Leon was just outstanding and really carried us offensively and defensively. He is just a good athlete.”
Jorge Uribe finished with 252 receiving yards on nine receptions and scored three touchdowns. On defense, Uribe finished with eight tackles.
Askew was 19 of 32 on passing attempts for 301 yards and threw four touchdowns. Brian Duarte rushed for 34 yards and Jaden Uribe had 20 yards.
Ramirez praised the play of linebacker Hugo Soto and the defensive play of Aaron Hernandez, Luis Cabada and defensive end Joshua Mariscal, who nearly blocked a field goal attempt and caused a fumble. Tackle Jesus Maciel came up with a sack.
Gonzales ended the season with a 3-6 overall mark and were 3-3 in the Santa Lucia Division.
Santa Cruz won the Santa Lucia Division with a 6-0 divisional record and were 7-2 overall. The Cardinals were seeded seventh in the Central Coast Section Division IV playoffs.
