1. M.V.C. (5-1, 3-0): The Mustangs, currently known as the Road Warriors, pushed their winning streak to four straight games. The most impressive part of all this is their wins have been on… surprise, the road.
Monte Vista Christian senior running back Quinn Alexander scored twice in last week’s smashing win against Scotts Valley High, putting the Mustangs in first in the Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission division.
Seniors Andrew Montoya and Terrel Brown along with junior Riley Moller each had a touchdown reception for the Mustangs.
Junior Brendan Doyle had a rushing touchdown, while senior kicker Austin Klinski was credited with a field goal.
M.V.C. coach Jubenal Rodriguez said he believes the Mustangs are peaking at the right time and is excited about what direction the team is headed.
It’ll be interesting to see how M.V.C. plays its first “home” game at Watsonville High, especially coming off those long road trips for four consecutive weeks.
M.V.C. will square off against Alisal High (3-3, 2-0) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Alisal has won two straight games going into this week’s game.
The Trojans are coming off a bye week and they could be one of the biggest obstacles in the way of a title run for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs have won three straight games against the Trojans, including last year’s 21-13 road win.
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2. Aptos (4-3, 3-1): The Mariners are back in business and have won two straight games. But they will now head into an unofficial bye week after Friday night’s game against Hilmar High was called off.
The Aptos High athletics department announced Wednesday the Mariners will not play in what was supposed to be a replacement game after Gilroy High forfeited its league game.
Giving up a league game would automatically put them a half game behind PCAL-Gabilan leaders Salinas High and San Benito High.
This unexpected break could be a blessing in disguise for the Mariners, who will head into the final stretch of the season with just three games to go.
But Aptos coach Randy Blankenship wanted the Mariners to play this weekend because he feels like they haven’t quite hit their peak just yet. That’s where the “bye week” can really hurt any kind of momentum they have going right now.
Aptos had 13 players with at least one carry in last week’s crushing win against Alvarez. They finished with 252 yards on 44 carries as a team.
Aptos’ defense shut down each drive except for one in which the Eagles scored just before halftime. They made Alvarez punt six times — including on their first five possessions — and forced two turnovers.
Up next, the Mariners will host Christopher High (1-6, 1-3) on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
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3. N.M.C. (6-1, 3-0): North Monterey County High junior Sergio Anaya recovered a fumble for a touchdown, which helped the Condors score 20 unanswered points to beat San Lorenzo Valley last week in league action.
The Condors’ defense is giving up 5.6 points per game during its five-game winning streak. This group is loaded with young talent such as sophomore Nico Torres all the way with long-time veterans such as senior Riley Anderson.
N.M.C. senior quarterback Brandon Ducusin recorded a rushing touchdown and connected with receiver Chris Villarreal for a passing touchdown. The Condors are 6-0 this season anytime Ducusin plays and scores.
Up next, the Condors will hit the road to take on Santa Cruz High (4-2, 2-0) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
N.M.C. won last year’s contest against Santa Cruz, 21-0, which was the first time both teams met in at least 20 seasons.
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4. St. Francis (4-3, 2-1): The Sharks have won two straight games and are still hanging around for a shot at a PCAL Santa Lucia division title.
St. Francis High junior Josh Hernandez and senior tight end Lawson Orradre each scored a touchdown in last week’s win against Marina.
Sophomores Dez Litel and Johrdan Garibay also keep making a name for themselves on offense. Both players also each recorded a touchdown against the Mariners.
They’ll get a little bit of help this week because Pacific Grove High and Stevenson School will face off, which means somebody will end up with its first league loss.
But first, St. Francis will hit the road to try to get past Greenfield, which has a group of running backs that have a combined 12 touchdowns, according to MaxPreps.
The Sharks continue PCAL-Santa Lucia action against the Bruins (2-5, 2-1) on Oct. 25 with kickoff slated at 7:30 p.m.
St. Francis is 3-3 lifetime against Greenfield. The Sharks defeated the Bruins two years ago, 42-13.
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5. Watsonville (2-4, 0-2): Junior running back Nasser Sabla scored two touchdowns and the Wildcatz looked much better in last week’s PCAL-Cypress league loss against King City High.
Senior running back Blake Mares finished with a little more than 100 rushing yards for the Wildcatz. The offensive line is finally creating some of those open lanes for the running backs to run through.
Watsonville is missing a couple of key players on the field. Senior quarterback Danny Carlos and senior linebacker Ryan Itamura are both dealing with injuries.
There’s still no timetable on their return but it’ll be a big blow for the Wildcatz if they don’t come back this week.
Watsonville is taking on a tough Soquel High team, which is coming off a smashing win against Gonzales.
The Wildcatz will host the Knights (6-1, 2-1) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. This will be the first time both teams meet since 2016.
It’s the first time since 2005 the Wildcatz and Knights will battle in a league game. Both Watsonville and Soquel used to be part of the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League. They played at least once a year — league or non-league — from 1962 until 2009.
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6. Pajaro Valley (0-6, 0-2): The Grizzlies have turned things around since the start of PCAL-Santa Lucia play despite remaining winless this season.
Pajaro Valley High is a group still going through some growing pains but there are signs of improvement.
The Grizzlies nearly spoiled Greenfield High’s homecoming celebration in last week’s league game against the Bruins. The week prior, they battled with St. Francis until the very end.
Pajaro Valley will have its homecoming game against Harbor High (1-6, 0-3) at Cabrillo College on Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Pirates have not won a league game since 2014, when they were still a member of the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League.
Pajaro Valley is 5-3 all time against Harbor. The Grizzlies won last year’s meeting, 45-6.
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Reporting Scores: Coaches are encouraged to report scores, stats and highlights to jr****@pa********.com following games or call 831-761-7335. Please include your name and a contact number in the email.
