High School Sports

An inappropriate photo involving players on the Aptos High varsity football team was posted on social media this past weekend following a 35-28 victory against rival Watsonville High on Sept. 5.  A group of seven student-athletes were depicted standing inside of Aptos’ weight room holding...

At one time in the teams’ long history, Aptos and Watsonville were nemesis on the gridiron as members of the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League.   The rivalry known as the “Black and Blue Bowl” was renewed this past weekend as both programs got together for...

Pajaro Valley High announced Friday that it has hired Darren Jackson as the new head coach of the girls’ basketball team. Jackson will replace Mark Harris who stepped down from the same position after spending four years at the helm. “My plan is to build off...

St. Francis was given a friendly reminder that it is not in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Mission Division anymore. They found that out quickly after escaping with a narrow 21-18 win over Salinas in the teams’ Gabilan Division contest on Wednesday afternoon. After building a...

Cabrillo College freshman Valeria Acosta was a huge contributing factor Tuesday afternoon in helping the women’s soccer team get off to a fantastic start to the fall season.  The former Pajaro Valley High star player had an outstanding performance with four goals and one assist,...

The Pajaronian’s Prep Athletes of the Week were selected based on their performances during the week of Aug. 25-31. Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit nominations to sports editor Juan Reyes at [email protected].  Boys Abraham Martinez (Sr.), Watsonville The Wildcatz senior ran wild for 150...

St. Francis junior Keon Barcinas-Hill recorded a pair of touchdowns in the Sharks’ 43-2 non-league win over Greenfield on Saturday afternoon.  Teammate Gabe Santos blocked a punt attempt, while Colton Stevens recorded an interception for St. Francis. “Just contributions from everyone, even the guys not playing,”...

Watsonville junior quarterback Edwin Cornejo made his first-ever career start at the varsity level against Santa Cruz High on Thursday evening. So, it was only natural the butterflies would be floating around his belly going into the teams’ season-opener, and a rivalry dating back to...

With just days leading up to the 2025 season-opener, Watsonville football head coach Manny Contreras was already required to make a potential season-changing roster move at quarterback. Tino Razo, a senior, injured his wrist during the Santa Cruz County Football Jamboree on Aug. 23, forcing...

Upon further review, St. Francis football head coach John Ausman took note after last week’s set of scrimmages that the coaching staff might be dealing with a problem.  No need to worry, though. Ausman made sure to mention that it was what he called a “good...