The St. Francis High football team bounced back in week 2 with a 28-20 win against Yerba Buena on Friday night in non-league play.
Junior quarterback Davin Avila finished with two touchdown passes, while junior running back Pedro Valencia racked up a pair of touchdown runs for the Sharks.
“I think we had some younger guys really step up in certain situations,” said St. Francis coach John Ausman.
Sophomore Johrdan Garibay was one of those young players that had an impact. He blocked a punt and had an interception at the end of the game.
“(Garibay) came out and he made plays,” Ausman said. “He contributed to that win and it’s good to see young guys do that.”
Ausman said Lawson Orradre also had a big evening.
Valencia scored a go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run and Avila capped it off with a 2-point conversion, giving the Sharks a 20-14 lead with nine minutes left in the game.
The Aztec Warriors responded with a touchdown but failed to convert on the 2-point conversion attempt. The game was tied at 20-all with 2:29 left in the game.
St. Francis regained the lead, 28-20, with 1:33 left when Avila connected with sophomore Dez Litel down the seam on a 65-yard touchdown. Valencia scored the second 2-point conversion attempt of the night for the Sharks.
The defense came through in the end and Garibay came up with the big time interception to get the Sharks their first win this season.
Ausman said he was glad to get the win but said the team needs to focus on being more consistent.
“Being a consistent football team, all 11 on the field,” Ausman said. “If we can do that it’ll help us.”
The Sharks offense fumbled in the end zone and Yerba Buena’s defense recovered the loose ball, which tied the game at 20-all. Ausman said he was proud that the guys pushed through until the end.
“What I really liked is adversity hit and they didn’t give up,” Ausman said. “They continued to play and found a way to get it done.”
On the defensive side, Ausman said the players were understanding their leverage and understanding where the help was in the open field.
Sophomore Charlie Valencia forced a fumble and senior Joey Garibay recovered the loose ball.
“Just knowing that team defense you need all 11 guys,” Ausman said. “We’re still not there yet but we did a better job.”
Up next, the Sharks (1-1) play against Watsonville High at Cabrillo College on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
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Oakdale 21, Aptos 19: The Mariners scored 16 points in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback against the Mustangs in Friday’s non-league loss.
Aptos has not lost two consecutive games since 2012, when it finished 10-3 and went undefeated at 6-0 in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League play.
Next up, the Mariners (0-2) play against Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep on Friday at 7 p.m.
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Monterey 42, Watsonville 19: The Wildcatz were defeated by the Toreadores in Friday night’s non-league loss at home.
Monterey jumped out to a 26-6 lead in the first half. The Wildcatz cut the deficit to a pair of touchdowns, 26-12, but that was as close as they got.
Senior Josh Elmore connected with junior Hendrick Lusk for two touchdowns and junior Jaiden Russell also hauled in a score for Monterey.
Next up, the Wildcatz (1-1) play at St. Francis at Cabrillo College on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
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Soquel 35, Pajaro Valley 7: The Grizzlies lost to the Knights on Saturday night in non-league play.
Soquel built a 20-0 lead going into halftime and never looked back.
Pajaro Valley scored its lone touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The Grizzlies (0-2) will play against San Lorenzo Valley at Cabrillo College on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
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HS cross country
Ruiz places ninth at SF Invitational: Watsonville junior Layla Ruiz placed ninth in 17 minutes, 30.6 seconds in the Varsity 2 race on Saturday at the San Francisco Invitational.
The Wildcatz girls’ team placed 20th overall.
On the boys side, seniors Miguel Leon and Damian Rivas placed 43rd (15:28.9) and 90th (16:15.3), respectively, in the Varsity 1 race. The Wildcatz boys’ team placed 29th overall.
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College football
Reyes scores twice for Chapman: Aptos High alum Marcos Reyes recorded two touchdowns and ran the ball nine times for 78 yards in his debut with Chapman University on Friday night.
The Panthers smashed Pacific of Oregon, 45-14, and begin the season 1-0. Next up, Chapman will play against Whitworth on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
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Men’s soccer
Cabrillo 8, Redwoods 2: The Seahawks scored 20 seconds into the season and added two more goals just four minutes into Friday night’s home opener against the College of the Redwoods.
Cabrillo forward Tanner Ruddy scored a game-high two goals, while six other players each scored a goal.
Edrick Angel recorded two saves for the Seahawks (1-0), who play against Allan Hancock on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
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Women’s soccer
Cabrillo 1, Feather River 0: Alyssa Delgado scored the game-winner for the Seahawks in their home opener against the Golden Eagles on Saturday in non-conference play.
Delgado recorded her first goal of the season, while Clara Critchfield was credited with an assist.
Cabrillo bounced back after a 3-1 loss against Reedley on Tuesday. Ashley Haduca scored the lone goal for the Seahawks (1-1), who play Allan Hancock next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
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Women’s volleyball
Cabrillo shines in Delta Classic: The Seahawks won their final two games on Saturday at this year’s Delta Classic Volleyball Tournament.
Cabrillo began the day with a win against American River in three sets, 25-23, 25-14, 25-21, followed by a win against Hartnell in five sets, 19-25, 25-18, 27-25, 25-11, 15-11.
The Seahawks also defeated Solano on Friday in three sets, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23 in the first round.
Cabrillo came up short in the following round against West Valley in five sets, 14-25, 20-25, 25-16, 25-22, 11-15.
Next up, the Seahawks (3-1) will compete at the Santa Rosa Classic beginning with a match against Santa Rosa on Sept. 21 at 1 p.m.
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Women’s running
Hiltz placed fourth in 5th Ave Mile: Aptos’ Nikki Hiltz placed fourth in 4 minutes, 25.4 seconds on Sunday at the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile.
A record 9,172 runners completed in the 39th edition of the race, according to race founders and organizers New York Road Runners.
Jenny Simpson won (4:16.1) a record-extending eighth overall championship and seventh consecutive title, while Nick Willis broke the record for most men’s victories with his fifth win.
According to FloTrack, Simpson had a slight lead after an uphill second quarter mile and continued to lead the pack including Hiltz, who was right behind her in a tightly bunched pack.
Hiltz, an Adidas runner now based out of San Diego, earned a spot on the USA team at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, on Oct. 2-5.
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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.
