The annual Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Jamboree was Friday night at Carl Conelly Stadium on the campus of Cabrillo College in Aptos and we learned plenty about the 10 teams from the county.

Pajaro Valley High’s defense was impressive in its two series, picking off three passes and returning one for a touchdown. Senior corner back Adrian Silva was one of many Grizzlies out laying the lumber.

The Grizzlies’ offense also impressed. Senior running back Jaylen Carreon broke off a few big runs, including this 40-plus-yarder that led to a Mauricio Saurez touchdown.

Watsonville High was plenty fired up to hit the field and broke out into chant before doing so. Head coach Ron Myers was not a fan of the hooplah.

The Wildcatz seem more devoted to the pass than ever this season. Senior quarterback Isaac Baltazar was solid with most of his tosses. He had a nice connection with senior receiver Jorge Tinoco, who runs some of the nicest routes in the county.

The passing game also showcased how dangerous some of the Wildcatz’s weapons are in space. Senior running back Johnny Bravo was dancing through defenders all night. 

Watsonville’s run game, however, suffered without its two best running backs, Matthew Barcelo and Evan Delozier. Aptos High’s stout defense took full advantage of that.

The Mariners’ offense looks as good as ever despite graduating all of its playmakers. Junior running back Marcos Reyes is something special with the ball in his hands and running downhill.

Senior running back Will Murphy did his best John Elway impression on a touchdown run against the Watsonville defense.

Aptos, for the most part, was dominant on offense behind its talented offensive line but the Mariners decided to get a little too cute at the goal line against Scotts Valley High. Falcons senior linebacker Carson Spence made them pay with this pick-6.

Monte Vista Christian’s offense looks similar to last season and senior quarterback Sean White has some playmakers to throw to. Even in the check-down game, the Mustangs were getting positive yardage. 

The Mustangs’ defense was also very good at times. Their defensive backfield is fast and mean, as junior Daniel Brierley showcased.

Carreon liked how P.V. executed, more than anything.

Baltazar thought the Wildcatz’s hustle was the best part of the night.

White kept it together pretty well as his team sang “Happy Birthday” to Nick Arroyo and liked how the offense kept the ball moving.

Reyes dished out props to his offensive line and added fuel to the Aptos-M.V.C. fire. 

Aptos won the jamboree. Here are the final scores:

1: Aptos, 67

2: St. Francis, 31

T3: Pajaro Valley, 29

T3: MVC, 29

T5: Scotts Valley, 25

T5: Soquel, 25

7: Santa Cruz 23

8: SLV, 19

9: Watsonville, 6

10: Harbor, 4

Overall, the Jamboree served as a nice test run before the 2017 season begins next weekend.

Sorry St. Francis High, I was stuck in the office and wasn’t able to make it out to see you guys spin. See you next week against P.V. at Emmett M. Geiser Field. 

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TONY NUNEZ

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