WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville High football team retained the Belgard Kup with a 22-17 win over cross-town rival Pajaro Valley High.
The Grizzlies had a 3-2 lead over the Wildcatz going into halftime. The first two quarters were riddled with penalties and turnovers that stalled promising drives for both teams.
Watsonville scored 13 unanswered points in the third quarter to take a 15-3 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Pajaro Valley responded with a touchdown and two point conversion to cut the deficit to four, 15-11.
The Wildcatz extended their lead to 22-11 but the Grizzlies wouldn’t go away that easy.
Pajaro Valley made things interesting after scoring a late touchdown that made it 22-17. But it wasn’t enough to overcome Watsonville’s big third quarter.
With the win, the ‘Catz improve to 15-2 all-time against the Grizzlies. The Belgard Kup has left its trophy case on East Beach Street just two times since 2007, in what was the second meeting between the two teams but the first involving the Kup.
Week 1 scoreboard
Friday
Aptos 39, Oakdale 29
Christopher 31, North Monterey County 0
Saturday
St. Francis 28, Monte Vista Christian 0
Watsonville 22, Pajaro Valley 17
