WATSONVILLE — Watsonville High has found a dependable one-two punch.
The Wildcatz’s defensive line also announced its arrival.
Senior running backs James Sandoval and Matthew Barcelo combined to rush for 312 yards and five touchdowns, and Watsonville’s defensive front made life difficult for Pajaro Valley High senior quarterback Max Arevalo in the Wildcatz’s 35-6 win over their cross-city rival.
Playing in front of roughly 1,500 screaming spectators in the 12th annual Belgard Kup Game, the Wildcatz (1-0) gave their fans plenty to cheer about as they retained the five-quart ceramic mug dedicated to late police chief Ray Belgard.
Watsonville now owns a 10-2 advantage over Pajaro Valley (0-1) in the rivalry series.
“A first good win feels really good because it really sets the mindset for everything,” Sandoval said.
Watsonville High’s James Sandoval ran for 3 TDs in the Wildcatz 35-6 win over Pajaro Valley High. #RPsports pic.twitter.com/VXdRmUAs9t
— Tony Nunez (@Tony_Nunez) August 25, 2018
Barcelo scored touchdowns of 19 and 22 yards, and Sandoval took off for a 51-yard score to give Watsonville a 21-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
With the three-score lead in hand, the Watsonville defensive line pinned its ears back and hunted down Arevalo for four sacks and multiple tackles for loss. Senior defensive linemen Dylan Vargas and Carlos Ortiz each recorded a sack, while junior linebacker Alejandro Velasquez finished with two sacks.
The constant pressure also helped Sandoval and senior defensive back Cesar Gonzalez pull down interceptions.
“We did well swarming to the ball,” Velasquez said. “Eleven players to the ball every single play.”
Sandoval also ran for touchdowns on Watsonville’s first and last series of the second half, finishing with 189 yards on just six touches.
Barcelo crashed ahead 14 times for 123 yards and the two scores.
Watsonville junior running back Blake Mares added 61 yards rushing on five carries.
“[The Grizzlies] were piling up heavy inside,” said Watsonville head coach Ron Myers. “The second you got to the edge, there wasn’t much out there.”
TD WATSONVILLE. On 4th & 1, Matthew Barcelo runs for a 19-hard TD.
Wildcatz 7, Grizzlies 0. | 7:38 Q1#RPsports pic.twitter.com/oNwjJKEhMi
— Tony Nunez (@Tony_Nunez) August 25, 2018
Junior running back Carlos Hernandez ran for a 1-yard touchdown on the final play of the game to get Pajaro Valley on the board.
He led the Grizzlies in rushing with 70 yards on six totes.
Every other back had muted success against Watsonville’s stout defensive front. Senior running back Russel Pablo had 38 yards on 13 carries, and junior fullback J.J. Briseno totaled 37 yards on 10 touches.
“I think they coached their guys up this week and were beating us up front,” said Pajaro Valley head coach Kevin Cordova. “Our bread and butter plays, they were stuffing and we kind of had to get out of that too fast.”
Pajaro Valley also hurt itself by committing 12 penalties for 75 yards.
Watsonville had six penalties for 65 yards, but made up for the mistakes — including five fumbles — with big runs from Barcelo and Sandoval.
“We had a lot of mistakes throughout the whole game,” Barcelo said. “We’ll get back and be better.”
Watsonville High’s Matthew Barcelo was the workhorse back for the Wildcatz, scoring a pair of TDs in their 35-6 win over Pajaro Valley High. #RPsports pic.twitter.com/I2nd65wbea
— Tony Nunez (@Tony_Nunez) August 25, 2018
Watsonville will travel to Santa Cruz High next week, while Pajaro Valley will host St. Francis High at Cabrillo College.
In other local high school football action:
St. Francis 51, Sobrato 16 – Andrew Seymour caught a touchdown, ran for a score and made a pair of interceptions as St. Francis rolled to a big season-opening win at Santa Cruz High on Friday night.
Joseph Ramirez ran for a pair of touchdowns and also hit Seymour for a score through the air. Aaron Soto, Andy O’Rourke and Devin McLeod also scored rushing touchdowns for the Sharks (1-0), who play Pajaro Valley next week at Cabrillo.
Aptos 55, Templeton 6 – Marcos Reyes plowed through the Templeton defense for four rushing touchdowns in the Mariners’ season-opening blowout victory on the road Friday night.
Silvano Lopez hauled in a trio of interceptions, Hunter Matys was 5-for-5 passing and Angel Aparicio tossed a touchdown for Aptos (1-0), which plays at Aragon High next week.
Christopher 17, M.V.C. 14 – Monte Vista Christian dropped its first game of the Jubenal Rodriguez era, falling to Christopher on Friday night in Watsonville.
M.V.C. (0-1) will try to rebound at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale next week.
N.M.C. 19, North Salinas 14 – Brandon Ducusin ran for three touchdowns, including the game-winner late in the fourth quarter, to lead the Condors past the Vikings on Thursday night at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas.
N.M.C. (1-0) hosts Carmel High next week in the first game of a five-game home stand.
