Sports

The Mustangs will still throw it around plenty in Dini’s record-setting spread offense but the player tossing the ball will be brand-new. Additionally, the defense has also been revamped.

St. Francis High is off to its best start in the program’s 13 years of existence. The Sharks have won their first five games after a decade-plus of failing to win more than three games total in a single season.

Winners of their last three by 10 points or more, the Warriors are in first place in the G League’s Pacific division at 15-10. They hold a half-game lead over South Bay Lakers heading into this week’s G League Showcase at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, the home of the Raptors 905.

After allowing an early score in the first half, M.V.C. exploded for three goals over nine minutes to hold off an upstart No. 8 Nueva squad for a 3-1 win, the program’s first playoff victory since the 2007-08 season.

The four areas of the city will unite for a unique night of football on Aug. 17 at Emmett M. Geiser Field. Watsonville High, Pajaro Valley High, St. Francis High and Monte Vista Christian will come together for the first-ever Apple City Jamboree, hoping to not only prep for the upcoming season but bring together a city celebrating its 150th anniversary.

After a disappointing campaign in 2017, there is a palpable excitement heading into the first season of the Rodriguez era. The tempo has been upped, and the player-to-player accountability has been restored. A repeat of last year’s 4-6 record, which was the program’s first losing season since 2013, won’t be acceptable for the players.

For several local student-athletes, the last 12 months were filled with championship performances, inspirational efforts and unforgettable matchups. Some used their skills on the court, field, pool, track and trails to wow spectators, while others showcased their drive and attitude to inspire young and old.

Aptos (16-6, 7-1) shot 29 percent from the field, and turned it over 18 times en route to its lowest scoring output in an SCCAL game since the 2016-17 season.

Paloma Ramirez had 16 points and seven rebounds, Mackenzie Tellez added 13 points, eight rebounds and five steals and Monte Vista Christian completed its dominant showing in the Don & Martha Price Christmas Classic with a 74-41 win over Valley Christian-Roseville in the tournament final on Saturday in Watsonville.

The Register-Pajaronian's high school football rankings for Week 9 of the 2018 season.