SOLEDAD — A physical Monte Vista Christian Mustang football team scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to break open a close game against the host Soledad Aztecs on Friday night at Gene Martin Stadium. The Mustangs downed the Aztecs 34-19 in the Mission Division opener for both teams.
“At one point the score was tied at 7-7 and just 14-7 in the second quarter,” said Soledad head coach Eric Rodriguez. “We just got wore down by Monte Vista Christian, especially in the second half. It is just so tough to play a solid team for the start of league after we had a difficult preseason. This week is our bye week and we really need it to get over some aches and pains and to regroup as a team.”
The Mustangs took a 7-0 lead then the Aztecs matched with a touchdown pass play from Soledad quarterback Gabriel Florez to Angel Olivas to tie the game at 7-7. The game was just 14-7 at halftime but the third quarter belonged to Monte Vista Christian with their three second half scores. Soledad added a rushing touchdown by Florez and another score by Olivas later the game. The Mustangs improved to 1-3 overall and 1-0 in the Mission Division after losses in the preseason to Christopher, the Kings Academy, and Aptos.
Soledad fell to 0-4 overall and 0-1 in the Mission Division. Soledad will not play again until an Oct. 5 home game with the North Salinas Vikings.
