MONTEREY — For a defense that had given up 103 points in its last two games, the emphasis during a shorter week of practice for Monterey was to not let the last two weeks determine an entire football season.
“I am always coaching with that mindset, understanding the big picture and the life of a season,” Monterey coach Alex Besaw said. “We’re a young bunch. It’s important to understand our recent set of circumstances doesn’t define us.”
Seven sophomores on the defense had a growth spurt Thursday, as the Toreadores put together arguably their best defensive effort of the season in a 13-7 decision over North Salinas.
“There were some points of emphasis at practice and the kids responded well,” Besaw said. “We were more aggressive. We were getting downhill and attacking the football. I felt the past two games we were more on our heels.”
Injuries have crippled the Toreadores through the first half of the season as six players are likely gone for the season, while two more starters are down for another month.
“I pulled up two more sophomores this week because we’re getting thin,” Besaw said. “This was a good point in the season to get a win for the program.”
After a 3-0 start to the season, the Toreadores were humbled in a pair of losses, giving up 62 points on the road last week to Alisal.
“A week to respond after a loss feels like a month,” Besaw said. “Two straight losses feels like an eternity. I told the kids you can not believe everything that is said, even with a win.”
On the heels of a pair of upset wins over Carmel and Hollister, the Vikings were the surprise team in the first half with their 4-1 start.
“I’m at a loss,” North Salinas coach Ben Ceralde said. “The focus has been missing the last few weeks at practice. I’ve tried to get the message to these kids that games are won during the week. This might be an eye-opener.”
Thrown into the Gabilan Division this fall despite never having won a Mission Division title, the Vikings have played with a blue-collar attitude in the first half of the season.
“It’s that time of the season where you’re either dialed in or you’ve checked out,” Ceralde said. “We took the foot off the pedal and may have underestimated our opponent. You can’t do that in this league.”
Neither offense showed much life over the first three quarters, although Monterey took the opening drive down to the 1-yard line before the Vikings stopped them a few inches short of the goal line.
As has been the case in North Salinas’ last two games, linebackers Nathan Orzoco and Robert Bennett were the architects behind the defensive unit, along with bookends Dylan Gabriel and Hugo Valencia.
“The defense has been playing great for the last five weeks,” Ceralde said. “They have been keeping us in games the last two weeks.”
Yet, the Vikings offense had shown flashes of their potential three weeks ago when they produced 49 points in knocking off defending state champion Carmel.
“I would have thought this game would have been the complete opposite,” said Ceralde, in an anticipated shootout.
Instead, a combined five turnovers grounded both offenses before sophomore Dylan Reynoso punched it in for North Salinas with seven minutes left in the game, giving them a 7-0 lead.
Feeling a sense of urgency, the Toreadores rediscovered an offense that put up 40 points last week, driving downfield before Ethan Bonilla crossed the end zone for the eighth time this year.
“I don’t think anyone felt we couldn’t score,” Besaw said. “Nothing really changed in what we were doing. The first drive of the game was our best drive. We were an inch from scoring.”
However, missing the extra point with 3:23 left in the game kept North Salinas up by a point.
“It starts to creep up in the back of your mind, what else can go wrong?” Besaw said. “The valley of the season has its ups and downs. Three minutes is plenty of time. Lets get a stop. I have three time-outs.”
Unlike last week when North Salinas ran off the last seven minutes of the clock, it couldn’t establish a drive and was forced to punt with 1:06 left in the game, where the Toreadores started on their own 40.
In 40 seconds, Monterey moved 55 yards to the Vikings 5-yard line, setting the stage for Bonilla to cut back to the left and slip into the end zone with 13 seconds remaining.
“When he cut back, my initial reaction was if Ethan doesn’t score, we’re not going to have enough time to snap the ball before the clock runs out,” said Besaw, who had used all his time outs.
Linebacker Connor Rose’s one-handed interception just before halftime for Monteregh kept the game scoreless. Xavier Martin, Brandon Devoe, Ricardo Luna and Israel Johnson all had breakthrough games.
“The message will be finish the season strong,” said Ceralde, whose squad has a bye next week. “We’re still the underdogs, no matter what. We’re in the playoff chase. Play with a chip on your shoulder.”
Soledad 35, San Lorenzo Valley 21: One less day to prepare meant one less day for the Aztecs to ponder how they watched a late fourth quarter lead slip away last Saturday at Scotts Valley.
The feeling of being winless is no more as Soledad erupted for a season-high 35 points, building as much as a 28-point lead in the third quarter in upsetting San Lorenzo Valley.
“Our record does not indicate who we are,” Soledad coach Eric Rodriguez said. “The kids believe in the process. Being young is not an excuse. I think playing on Thursday worked to our advantage.”
The Aztecs had been snakebitten through their first four games, failing to hold a 19-point first-half lead in falling to Monte Vista, and letting a four-point lead late in the fourth quarter evaporate at Scotts Valley.
“I reminded the kids of my first year when we started 0-7, won our last three games and finished second to make the playoffs,” Rodriguez said. “Phase one of our season is over. We have some momentum going into league.”
Soledad, who has setbacks to undefeated Scott Valley, 4-2 North Salinas and reigning state champion Carmel, will open Mission Division South play next Friday, hosting King City.
DJ Valenzuela aired it out with touchdown passes to Daniel Garcia and Ayden Raso during a 21-point third quarter, staking the Aztecs (1-4) to a 35-7 lead.
“He’s getting a grip of the offense,” Rodriguez said. “He understands it a little better. DJ is throwing with confidence. Our goal is to still run the ball. But we have a lot of confidence in our passing game.”
Christian Gonzalez opened the second half with a 90-yard kickoff return. Earlier in the game, the sophomore broke free for a 61-yard touchdown run. Gio Gallegos opened the scoring for Soledad with a touchdown run for the game’s first points.
“The mindset at halftime was finish,” said Rodriguez, who has 13 underclassmen on his roster. “We haven’t played well in the second half this year. That kickoff return set the tone. There’s been no quit in this group.”
