SALINAS VALLEY — Playing on Saturday at the North Salinas High campus, the Soledad Aztecs had their three-game win streak snapped as they lost 19-7 to the host Vikings.
“We had trouble containing the North High counter plays and defensively our offense struggled when they loaded up the box to stop our run game,” said Soledad head coach Marc Villanueva. “North High has quick athletes and we had trouble covering them. We needed to throw the ball and we just didn’t have enough opportunities.”
North High built a 19-0 halftime lead with a 16-yard run by Izaiah Gonzalez, a 65-yard touchdown run by Dylan Reynoso, and the Vikings finished their scoring on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Gonzalez to Matthew Garcia.
Julio Camacho had a productive day for the Aztecs, rushing for 100 yards and scoring the Aztecs touchdown in the fourth quarter, while Ivan Gaytan added the PAT for the final 19-7 score.
At 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the Mission South, the Aztecs must defeat the King City Mustangs — coming off a bye week — at War Memorial Stadium on Friday to have a chance to earn a Central Coast Section playoff spot.
GONZALES
Senior running back Ely Cisneros ran for 114 yards and scored three touchdowns in Friday night’s 42-13 win for the Gonzales High Spartans at Seaside High School.
Gonzales improved to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the Santa Lucia Division with one game remaining against the Harbor Pirates.
“It was a team win, as everyone contribute to it,” said Spartans head coach Eddy Ramirez. “This win was special because we realized at the start of the game that we only have eight more quarters to play as a team. Our team responded and played for each other as a result. Now we have four quarters as a team and one last chance to make some memories and honor our seniors. We’re looking forward to a great week of practice and a game at the ‘Pit.’”
Gonzales built a 28-0 halftime lead with scores from three different players. Cisneros scored the lone first quarter touchdown from one-yard out and Luis Cabada added the point after attempt to put the Spartans ahead, 7-0.
In the second quarter, Tony Garcia scored on a 16-yard sweep, followed by a Domique Montiel one-yard score. Gonzales signal caller Ray Blanco called his own number and scored on a quarterback sneak, and the fourth PAT by Cabada ended the first half scoring at 28-0.
In the third quarter, Cisneros scored his second touchdown and ended the night with another touchdown in the fourth quarter. Cabada scored two more PATs to complete the scoring for the Spartans. Marina scored a touchdown in the third quarter and added a score in the fourth quarter.
While the Gonzales offense had a great performance, defensively Cisneros had an interception and several tackles, while Jaden Uribe and Steven Santos added picks of their own.
Gonzales will play the Harbor Pirates this Saturday on Senior Night at the Pit at Salinas High School. Harbor is 1-7 overall and 0-5 in divisional play.
GREENFIELD
Greenfield Bruins lost their fifth straight Mission South Divisional game and seventh game overall last Friday night by a 31-7 score to the Carmel Padres.
The divisional-leading Padres took a 17-0 halftime lead and added two more scores in the second half. Alexis Lomeli scored on a two-yard run for the Bruins.
Carmel at 5-0 in the division and 9-0 overall concludes the regular season at Pacific Grove on Friday at the annual Shoe Game. Greenfield (2-7 overall) completes their season on Friday at Rancho San Juan in Salinas.
