Vikings Take Four of Five in Pacifica

Hollister Pee Wees net critical win to keep playoff hopes
alive
 
The Hollister Vikings had their most successful weekend since the season opener as four out of five teams defeated their Pacifica opponents. None was more critical than the Pee Wee game, as the Vikings, at 2-4, faced off against one of the best teams in their division, needing an upset win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Coach Dave Centeno found out that his team responds well to pressure. Hollister’s Pee Wees played their best game of the season as the offense fired up to play on par with a defense that has excelled all year long. As a result, the Vikings defeated the Tigersharks by a decisive score of 28-6.

Early in the game, Hollister stopped Pacifica’s first drive with great tackles by Zack Hicks, Zack Nelson, Rolie Ortiz and Garrett Avina which gave the ball to the Vikings on the Pacifica 40-yard line. And then Nate Garza dashed 40 yards for Hollister’s first touchdown on the team’s first offensive play!

After Pacifica scored to tie the game, Hollister drove again. Two good runs by Garza and Austin Nye softened the Tigersharks’ defense for the pass. Austin Wahl exploited the situation, throwing to Nelson for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Mark Ponte’s two-point kick made it 14-6 Hollister.

Moments later, John Hartshorn intercepted a pass, giving the Vikings the ball back at the Tigersharks’ 41. Hollister capitalized on the turnover as Wahl threw a strike to Garza for the Vikings third touchdown. Ponte again tacked on two points to make it 22-6 Viking at halftime.

Hollister continued its dominance in the second half as Conner Bernal intercepted a pass and returned it 30 yards to the 9. From there, Dan Buzzetta carried the ball across the goal line for an insurance touchdown.

Hollister’s defense shut down Pacifica for the entire second half as Ben Viramontes, Nye, and Marcus Darnell made big tackles to thwart the Tigersharks’ running game.

Hollister’s Pee Wees will probably be in the playoffs, but can improve their seeding substantially with a win this Sunday at Andrew Hill in San Jose.

Junior Pee Wee                      Hollister Vikings 26                   Pacifica Tigersharks 0

Hollister converted three first-quarter turnovers into touchdowns to knock out its opponent early. The Vikings appeared unstoppable in their seventh consecutive win.

Hollister capitalized on two fumbles and a blocked punt to take a 20-0 lead in the opening quarter. The first fumble recovery was made by JC Canes. Moments later the Vikings were on the scoreboard as Mikey Koroluk ran for a 21-yard touchdown. Dylan Yamasaki added the conversion run to make it 7-0 Hollister.

When the Tigersharks got the ball back, the Vikings forced a fumble that Jordan Goldstein recovered. Hollister capitalized immediately as Joshua George threw to Alex Huaracha for 18 yards to the 3, and Matthew Balderas ran it in on the following play. Yamasaki again ran for the one-point conversion.

After Hollister blocked a punt, Chris Cook contributed a 27-yard touchdown run, putting Hollister up 20-0. In the third quarter, James Sanchez posted the last touchdown for Hollister on a 12-yard run. Canes, Goldstein, Phillip Castro, Austin Tobia and Dustin Borba created headaches all day long for the Pacifica offense, making many tackles in the backfield.

Junior Midget                      Hollister Vikings 34                   Pacifica Tigersharks 6

The Vikings scored in each quarter of the hard-fought contest. Early in the first quarter, it was clear that the special team players would make their presence felt as Jacob Martin and Tyler Pina combined to execute near-perfect onside kicks, deep punts and laser-beam extra-point kicks throughout the game.

On the first play, Martin’s on side-kick was mishandled by the Tigers and was smothered by Julius Travis, giving the Vikings great field position. From there, Isaac Navarette slanted to the right and snagged a 12-yard pass from Tyler Decker. The Vikings then took to the ground with a run off left tackle by Mikey Soto for 15 yards and a first down. And then it was Travis that took the option pass 20 yards for the touchdown. Pina’s kick was on the money putting Vikings up 8-0.

The Vikings’ defensive unit featured standout run tackling, pass coverage and quarterback pressure plays by Pina, Navarette, Travis, Adrian Soto, Jonathan Huaracha, Ryan DiSalvo, Isaiah Quintana, Justin Raine, Mikey Soto and Conner Stevens. The Purple D did bend but did not break, allowing its first and only score on a sweep play that went for a 70-yard touchdown and a touchdown, making the score 8-6.

Nathan Castro, following long runs from Raine, Soto and Pina, rumbled 55 yards for a touchdown to increase the second-quarter lead to 14-6. On the Vikings’ next possession, Martin and Soto traded runs, setting up a first-and-10 at the Tigers’ 20-yard line. The Viking coaches then took advantage the speed of Jared Lantis who took the ball on a reverse 20 yards for the score.

In the third quarter, the Vikings’ defense came out hitting hard and quickly returned the ball to the offense on a fumble recovery. The offense responded with Vasquez, Pina, Martin, Soto and Morales running the ball off tackle and up the middle, setting up a 17-yard scoring run by Castro. The kicking team held its blocks and Pina’s kick went through for two points to put Hollister up 28-6.

The Vikings intercepted two passes in the fourth quarter to thwart any hopes of a Pacifica comeback, one by Travis and another by Pina who ran it back 25 yards for a score. When the final whistle blew, the Vikings had won their seventh straight. Hollister can clinch the top seed for the league playoffs with a win next week.

Mighty Mites     Hollister Vikings 12       Pacifica Tiger Sharks 0

The Hollister Mighty Mites heated things up in Pacifica as they beat the Tigersharks on their home field, 12-0.

Hollister moved the ball well from early in the game with carries by Clay Schwall and Dacoda Miracle. The Vikings, however, hit their stride late in the second quarter. On the heels of runs by Kyle George and Bryan Noble, Justin Sanders carried the ball for the first touchdown of the game.

On the following kickoff, George made an amazing recovery on an onside kick to put the offense right back on the field. With little time remaining before the half, Daniel Hopkins passed to Austin Cascio for a 53-yard touchdown, putting the Vikings up 12-0.

The Tigershark offense could generate little against the Hollister defense. Plays led by Daniel Perez, Matthew Rabago, Buddy Barrientos, Tommy Ford and Russell Roy Enz successfully stopped Pacifica from moving their ball into the end zone. A late fumble recovery by Andrew Huaracha sealed Hollister’s efforts in shutting down Pacifica.

Hollister’s Midgets were the only team to fall Saturday, bowing to first-place Pacifica 27-0.

The defense never rested for the Tiny Mites on Saturday, stepping up to play its best game and shut down the Tigersharks attack.

Early in the game, BJ Quintana and Markie Martinez made great plays to stop good runs, and Bobby Vivian made a tackle on fourth down to stop a Tigershark drive. As the game progressed, Martinez and Antonio Caro made a number of big plays to stop Pacifica runs and Dawson Garcia recovered a loose ball.

Late in the game, Quintana made a 67-yard run to the end zone for Hollister. On Pacifica’s final two drives, the Viking defense made heroic plays to keep the Tigersharks out of the end zone. Caro made a great tackle on a sweep to prevent a first down. After Quintana broke up a pass play, Andres Soto and Austin Baker stopped a long Pacifica drive with a tackle on a fourth-down reverse.

On the Tigersharks’ final drive, Jay Martinez broke through to snuff a screen pass in the backfield. Pacifica countered with a reverse that completely fooled the Viking defense, leaving Quintana alone with three blockers on the left side. Quintana managed to get to the ballcarrier and make the tackle, saving a certain touchdown. On Pacifica’s final play, the Tigersharks ran a quarterback bootleg, but Caro stepped up to make a tackle, stopping the Tigersharks short of the goal line.

UPCOMING

All Hollister teams play at Andrew Hill High School in San Jose on Sunday, with games beginning at 8am. Hollister will once again host the regional Mighty Mite Bowl on Oct. 28. Hollister is also hosting the second round of league playoffs on Nov. 4. The Mighty Mite Bowl and playoffs will be held at Andy Hardin Stadium on those dates.

Pop Warner cheerleaders will compete for a league championship at Santa Clara University on Oct. 29.