Penalties, turnovers, and dropped balls … Monte Vista Christian School’s football team endured the gamut of blunders on offense Saturday, but still found itself in a tight game, thanks to their defense.
St. Francis High lineman Joshua Alvarez and Santa Cruz running back Qwentin Brown were chosen as National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame scholarship winners for their contributions in the classroom, community and on the football field this season.
St. Francis running back Johrdan Garibay was named Offensive Player of the Year in the Santa Lucia Division, defensive back Charles Valencia was named Defensive Player of the Year and Noel Aquino was named Lineman of the Year.
Dozens of car horns were honked by Sharks fans as they exited Los Altos’ parking lot, ready to make the hour-long trek south back home and share what they witnessed with friends and family who missed the action. It was that type of victory.
The underdog St. Francis High football team didn’t let its No. 7 seed or the fact it had to open the playoffs on the road crush its will Saturday. Instead, the Sharks turned it into an opportunity to open some eyes.
The good news: Five Santa Cruz County football teams qualified for the upcoming Central Coast Section playoffs. The bad news: Four of them are the lower seed and will play on the road.
Gavin Woods and Jack Fisher ran for touchdowns and Cole Johnson passed for an insurance score as Soquel beat host Carmel 21-8 to remain unbeaten in the Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division on Saturday.