GREENFIELD — For the first time in over a decade, the Greenfield Bruins varsity football team defeated the Soledad Aztecs last Thursday.
Coming into this game, the Bruins had the longest winning streak over South Monterey County teams, but now — after their win over King City last week — they also hold the longest winning streak in South County. Against Soledad, however, one would have to go back to 2010 when Greenfield last beat them, and that was the last time the Bruins made the postseason.
From start to finish, Greenfield dominated the Aug. 31 game on the offensive and defensive end. One of the places that they dominated was among the offense and defense lines.
Coming off a three-touchdown day, Bruins quarterback Naythen Hernandez would get things going again when he found Gio Hernandez for a touchdown pass to put them up by 7.
“We always want to be a run-first team,” said Greenfield Head Coach Adam Barsenas. “We want to be around 60-40. It feels good to call our shots and have Nate deliver. And our receivers are doing a great job. We only dropped one pass.”
Soledad would come back and answer Greenfield’s touchdown on the first of the second quarter. Going into the half, it would be tied at 7-7.
After a couple of adjustments, Greenfield rattled off 14 unanswered points. The Bruins’ offensive line would take control of the game and the time of possession.
The Bruins won the game 21- 7, snapping over a decade of losing to the Aztecs.
Although the win was nice, the coaches took this time to reflect on their journey together through all the ups and downs.
“Seeing the culture develop and watching the guys buy in is special,” Barsenas said. “I started with guys like Roger, Rudy and Jacob. To see their development from assistant coaches to my coordinators makes me proud.”
The Bruins coaching staff were already back to business that Friday, breaking down tape for their next opponent, St. Francis.
“Right after the game, I told the guys to celebrate and enjoy it, but tomorrow we are back to work,” Barsenas said. “They are locked in. After coming up short last year, they see the bigger goal and that’s to win a championship.”
Greenfield will be in action again on Saturday as they play St. Francis.
