PACIFIC GROVE — A week off break energized the Soledad High Aztec football team as they shutout host Pacific Grove last Friday at Breaker Stadium. The Aztecs defeated the Breakers 36-0 to improve to 2-1 in the Mission Trail Athletic League and 4-3 overall.
“We needed the bye week to recover from injuries and to reevaluate ourselves,” said Soledad head coach Frankie Berlanga. “In the game with PG we were able to play well offensively and our defense kept them (Breakers), from scoring.”
The Aztecs welcomed back All-Mission Trail Athletic League and All-County player Aaron Rodriguez back to the lineup after the senior defensive back and receiver had been out since week two with a broken hand. Rodriguez contributed with his play in the defensive backfield and caught three passes for 31 yards as a receiver.
Soledad received a strong showing from Ulises Uribe who scored the first touchdown of the game and added the point after attempt to help the Aztecs take a 7-0 first quarter lead. The Aztecs went to the air in the second quarter with a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Robbie SantaAna to PJ Perez, an exciting 60-yard touchdown to Angel Olivas, and another first half touchdown pass of 22-yards from SantaAna to Olivas. Uribe added the PAT’s after the scores as Soledad took a 28-0 halftime lead.
In the third quarter Chris Gonzales scored on five-yard touchdown run and SantaAnna completed the scoring with a two-point conversion as Soledad took a five-score lead at 36-0.
Victor Ocampo excelled with his defensive and offensive line play and Ulises Jimenez came up with an interception for the Aztecs as a safety. On Friday the Aztecs will celebrate Homecoming and will face off with the Scotts Valley Falcons who are in first place in the MTAL with a 3-0 record (5-2 overall).
“Friday night is a big game for us,” said Coach Berlanga. “Scotts Valley is athletic and has some big skill players. We have to play our best game of the year to beat them and stay in contention in league.”
Soledad lost the JV contest with Pacific Grove by a 21-0 score.
“It was a tough game,” said Soledad JV head coach Rudy Carrasco. “We couldn’t get things going.”
