Sports

A second half implosion by the Soledad Aztecs football team cost them in a 28-27 loss to the visiting North Salinas High Vikings. Soledad led by a 20-0 score but were outscored 28-7 in the second half to fall to 0-2 in Mission Divisional play of the Pacific Coast Athletic League and 0-6 overall.

With wins over visiting Robert Louis Stevenson and on the road in Watsonville against the Pajaro Valley Grizzlies, the Soledad High Lady Aztec volleyball team improved to 5-1 in Cypress Divisional play and 8-7 overall.

Cross country dual meets have been eliminated this season as the newly formed Pacific Coast Athletic League has opted to run Center Meets with the new divisions competed in various venues.

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.

The competition was tough for local high school cross country runners at the 23rd Annual North Monterey County Earlybird Invitational Cross Country Meet at Toro Park on Saturday.

The 4-1 Righetti High School Warriors scored six touchdowns to drop the host Soledad Aztec football to 0-4 in non-league games.

A fumble in the last five minutes of the game prevented the Soledad Aztec football team from coming home with a victory over the host Gilroy High Mustangs.

First-year Soledad varsity football head coach Eric Rodriguez watched nervously as the host Palma Chieftains got more and more efficient throughout last Friday’s game at the Salinas Sports Complex. Unfortunately for Rodriguez and his Aztecs team, the Chieftains could not be stopped and downed Soledad by a 52-6 tally.

In the final tune-up before the start of non-league play, South County high school football teams took the field last Friday at the South County Jamboree, hosted by Soledad High School at the Gene Martin Stadium.

Weeks of training will be put to the test on Friday as football teams from King City, Greenfield, Gonzales and host Soledad High suit up for the South County Jamboree.