The Hollister Vikings concluded the regular Pop Warner season on
the right foot Sunday, winning three out of four games, including
two shutouts.
The Hollister Vikings concluded the regular Pop Warner season on the right foot Sunday, winning three out of four games, including two shutouts.
Tough Viking defenses, led by the defensive line play that Hollister teams have become known for throughout the league, set the pace.
Most impressive was the Junior Midgets effort – a 14-8 victory. It was their first victory of the season. Two additional wins by forfeit allowed the team to earn a first-round playoff berth next weekend.
The game was a classic defensive struggle. Neither team was able to score in the first half.
The Longhorns broke into Hollister territory in the first quarter, but that drive was thwarted when Chris Gonzales recovered a fumble on the Hollister 42. That was as close as Cambrian Valley would get until the fourth quarter.
All the scoring happened within three minutes in the late third and early fourth quarters.
The Viking defense made a sparkling play to set up their first score.
Linebacker Ryan Shorey intercepted a tipped pass and returned it for an apparent touchdown, but the return was nullified by a penalty. The Vikings scored a couple plays later when Shorey connected with tight end Josh Villegas, and Michael Murphy added the two-point kick to make it 8-0 Hollister as the third quarter ended.
The Vikings defense pinned Cambrian Valley back deep and forced a punt that was returned by Armando Lerma to the one-yard line.
On the next play, Lerma crossed the line to make it 14-0.
Cambrian Valley’s offense got a couple of big runs to finally get on the board with 7:43 remaining. But the Vikings defense held the Longhorns to earn a hard-fought 14-8 victory.
Jr. Pee Wee
Hollister Vikings 12, Cambrian Valley Longhorns 0
The Junior Pee Wees lowered the “Purple Curtain” on the Longhorns to record their fourth shutout in nine games.
The spectacular play of the defense was again the big story. Austin Blake, Ryan Di Salvo, Nathan Castro and Tyler Pina stopped Cambrian Valley ball carriers all day long.
The Longhorn defense held Hollister scoreless in the first half. But the Vikings broke through in the third quarter to score twice in succession.
Mark Neal finished a long drive with a 6-yard scoring run, and Castro caught a 25-yard pass from Dylan Lomanto to complete the scoring.
Lomanto also threw another 20-yard pass to Dustin Rovella in the third quarter.
Pee Wee
Hollister Vikings 8
Cambrian Valley Longhorns 0
The Hollister Pee Wee defense came up big in this game, twice stopping short-yardage plays.
Cambrian Valley had trouble gaining any yardage on the Hollister defense but finally got a first down and faced a fourth-and-short near midfield.
They called a strong side sweep, but the play was snuffed out by Isaak Ramos and Alex Alvarez.
Late in the game, Cambrian Valley faced another fourth-and-short. A handoff for an off-tackle run was stopped by Viking lineman Matt Martinez for a four-yard loss, ending that drive.
Time after time, Hollister’s defense made the big play. Joshua Greenwood had a big day containing outside runs, and along with Andre Cornell, Ramos and Alvarez, helped to shut down the Longhorns favorite running lanes.
Hollister scored the lone touchdown of the game in the first quarter when Andre Cornell returned a punt 42 yards to the end zone. Cooper Sepulveda’s two-point conversion kick made it 8-0.
Late in the game, the Vikings tried to get an insurance score. Quarterback Trevor Fabing connected with Alvarez on a fourth down play, but Alvarez was stopped short of the first-down marker.
Martinez got the ball back for his team with a big fumble recovery, and Fabing passed to tight end Ramos for a first down at the 12.
On the next play, Fabing hit Tyler Decker for what appeared to be another touchdown, but the play was called back, and the drive stalled on the 5-yard line.
Midgets
Hollister 38, Cambrian Valley 14
The loss to Cambrian Valley ended the Midget Vikings playoff hopes.
Might Mites
The Mighty Mite Vikings continued on a roll, running past the Longhorns.
Austin Nye reached the end zone on a 9-yard run, and also had a fumble recovery.
Tyler Fhurong electrified the crowd late in the third quarter with a 68-yard kickoff return.
Three of Hollister’s four competing teams will be in the playoffs, which start this coming Sunday, Oct. 31 at Andy Hardin Stadium. Games begin at 9am.
Special to the Free Lance
