A group of six local high schools unofficially kicked off the 2024 fall season at this past weekend’s Santa Cruz County football jamboree at Cabrillo College.
Aptos, Harbor, San Lorenzo Valley, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville high schools took part in scrimmages in front of a packed house at Carl Conelly Stadium on Aug. 24.
Prior to taking the field, Watsonville High head coach Manny Contreras reached out to his players via text message to get them pumped up for the final dress rehearsal before the new campaign begins this week.
“I did a simple little message and talked about how we’re able to go hit another colored jersey,” he said. “But the thing that I want to know is are we able to block. How are we as far as just being physical up front?”
The jamboree gave the first-year Wildcatz skipper a chance to gauge how far along players have improved since the first day of practice. It also gave Contreras a sneak preview of what to expect from fellow Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division–North foe Scotts Valley.
So far, they looked impressive after taking on Harbor, Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley.
“I think Scotts Valley is the team to beat, and Santa Cruz, they’re going to be tough no matter what,” Contreras said.
One noticeable improvement is the offensive line, especially with junior Lisandro Pantoja, a towering left tackle, leading the way. He did a great job Saturday evening of protecting junior quarterback Anthony “Tino” Razo on the blindside.
In return, it gave Razo time to connect with senior receivers Nate Aguilar and Patrick Miller-Brown on a couple of nice throws. Senior running back Alex Arevalo had his legs churning to power through for first downs to keep drives alive, as well.
Harbor’s offense had a couple of big runs against Santa Cruz’s defense, and SLV senior quarterback Jack Dagan drove his team down the field with a pair of nice-looking tosses against the Pirates.
Aptos and Scotts Valley were already in midseason form as both teams stole the show.
“The kids like it, it’s exciting for them,” Scotts Valley head coach Louie Walters said. “They’re burnt out hitting each other.”
Scotts Valley senior Niko Smutzer earned his gold star for the day following a pair of long runs, including a 30-yard sprint past Watsonville’s defense and one touchdown.
One Falcons player who didn’t see action was senior Jacob Womack, who tore his Achilles tendon during a light passing drill outside of practice. The Falcons star receiver/defensive back will miss the remainder of the season.
“[Womack] worked so hard and he trained so hard to get to the next level, and now he had this happen. Just a fluke accident that kids his age usually don’t tear an Achilles [tendon],” Walters said.
Walters still allowed the starters to dabble in some of the action Saturday night. But he also made sure to give others time on the field, as well.
“Our thing for the jamboree is always about everybody’s playing,” he said. “We want to evaluate every kid and we want to get out healthy, that’s for sure.”
St. Francis High traveled to Castroville for a scrimmage against Carmel High and North Monterey County High on Friday.
On Saturday, Pajaro Valley was at North Salinas High for practice reps against the Vikings and Rancho San Juan High, while Monte Vista Christian stayed put in Watsonville for a one-on-one scrimmage against Marina High.
Weeklys prep football – Week 1
Thursday (Aug. 29)
Aptos vs. The Kings Academy, 7:30pm
Friday (Aug. 30)
Harbor vs. Del Mar, 7pm
Watsonville at Greenfield, 7pm
Monte Vista Christian at Piedmont Hills, 7:15pm
Scotts Valley at Santa Cruz, 7:30pm
Soquel vs. Los Gatos, 7:30pm
Saturday (Aug. 31)
Pajaro Valley vs. Lynbrook, 12:30pm
San Lorenzo Valley vs. South San Francisco, 12:30pm
St. Francis vs. King City, 12:30pm
