SALINAS VALLEY — Greenfield and Soledad high school football teams picked up key victories last week, moving closer to Central Coast Section playoff berths.
The Bruins had a good showing at home last Friday, defeating the visiting Santa Cruz Cardinals, 34-13. Bruin running back Damian Martinez had a standout performance with 202 yards on 20 carries and scored four touchdowns.
“It was a big game by Damian,” said Greenfield head coach Adam Barsenas. “He has worked hard and it has paid off. He is a hard runner with not crazy speed but enough to get loose. Damian definitely has football speed.”
Travis Ryan contributed with 41 yards on two carries. Quarterback Daniel Nava threw a touchdown pass to Diego Nava. Defensively for the Bruins, Angel Hernandez had 11 tackles and one forced fumble, and Cody Hernandez had three tackles and one interception. Antonio Hernandez added four tackles and a sack, while Travis Ryan finished with four tackles and two tackles for losses. Josue Garcia had six tackles and had a sack and fumble recovery to seal the game.
“We are at Rancho San Juan on Thursday,” Barsenas said. “Our goal is the same as every week, go 1-0.”
Greenfield is 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the Santa Lucia Division. The Bruins are tied with Marina at 5-1 and will end up as co-champions if both teams win their last two games.
SOLEDAD
Just a week ago, the Soledad Aztecs felt they were out of playoff spot opportunity. With a victory over Pacific Grove and a loss by Robert Louis Stevenson, the Aztecs can earn a Central Coast Section playoff spot with a win on Friday against Everett Alvarez at home.
“It will be a must-win for us and we are excited to have the deciding game here at home,” said Soledad head coach Eric Rodriguez. “The win against Pacific Grove gives us a chance.”
The Aztecs are 2-2 in the Mission South with Everett Alvarez, Pacific Grove and Stevenson. Soledad would have the tiebreaker as they own the win over Pacific Grove, and could seal second place with a win over the Eagles and a loss by Stevenson against undefeated King City.
In the 17-7 win against Pacific Grove, Aaron Dominguez led the Aztecs in rushing with 94 yards on 19 carries, and Daniel Garcia had 64 yards with 10 carries.
Christian Gonzalez scored on a one-yard touchdown run and Ethan Camacho scored on a 16-yard fumble recovery. Soledad’s Luis Negrete gave the Aztecs a 3-0 halftime lead with a 25-yard field goal.
GONZALES
The Spartans conclude the season with a 6 p.m. game on Saturday against the host Santa Cruz Cardinals. Gonzales is coming off a bye week and is hoping to earn a divisional win.
