The Vikings give themselves a chance for a playoff berth during the season’s final regular season game.
Junior Midgets
Hollister Viking 14, Sunnyvale Micro Rockets 6
By Samantha Zaragoza
The junior midget Raiders took to the road Saturday and upset the Sunnyvale Micro Rockets for the second time this season by the score of 14-6.
The first quarter was a nail biter with Sunnyvale challenging Hollister’s alternate offense led by Clint Fuentes. But neither team scored. Matthew Zarate and Donald Torres landed big hits to help keep the game scoreless. The second quarter was Hollister’s chance to gain momentum. The Viking defense, led Devin Beltran and Michael Camacho, helped turn possession to the Vikings. Nose guard Kane DeAlba, Matthew Manley and Nathaniel Newman also contributed tackles to keep Sunnyvale pushed back. Linebackers Michael Zaragoza and Camacho also continued to play well on defense.
The strong play led to a blocked Sunnyvale punt from Matthew Manley and DeAlba. Afterward, with Diego Fishter at the helm, the Viking offense started with incredible field position. After players from Andres Soto and Fisher brought the ball inside the one-yard line, Matthew Manley ushered in brother Kyle Manley to give the Vikings an 8-0 lead.
On defense in the second half, the Vikings continued to bring intensity onto the field. Camacho teamed with Antonio Caro and Zaragoza to slow Sunnyvale from converting downs, leading to a fumble recovery by Camacho.
After the turnover, Sunnyvale switched to the air game. After a long pass brought the Micro Rockets close to the end zone, Sunnyvale scored on a running play. Zaragoza blocked the point after attempt to protect a 8-6 Hollister lead.
More hard hitting action ensued, with Newman, Ishmael Medina, Caro, Owen Branon and Fuentes doing their best to pressure the Sunnyvale offense.
On the first play of the possession, Kyle Manley took the hand-off and was nearly shut down at the line, but he spun outside to score from 30 yards to extend the Hollister lead.
Hollister walked away triumphantly, winning 14-6.
“I am so thankful for all these boys and for this season,” said coach Jeff Valenzuela after the game. “I am so proud and can’t thank each of you enough.”
Pee Wee
Hollister Vikings 12, Bay City Bulldogs 6
By Santiago Hernandez
The Pee Wee Vikings sealed a playoff berth Saturday with an impressive 12 -6 victory over the visiting Bay City Bulldogs in the season’s final regular season game.
It was mostly a defensive battle between the two teams. In first quarter, the Bulldogs struck first with a 75-yard touchdown run. It was the only time the Bulldogs in the game.
In the second quarter, the Vikings defense started to take over, holding their own while plugging up the middle with hard tackles by Matthew Hernandez, Jonny Gonzalez and Blaze McShane. Vikings went into halftime down by one score despite hard runs by Peter Felice.
In the third quarter, though, the Vikings final got on the board. Felice gave the Vikings a big boost when he rumbled into the end zone on a 50-yard touchdown run, the score tied the score at 6-6.
It was a struggle in the fourth quarter but the Vikings proved to be stronger team. Late in the final quarter, Jonny Gonzalez scored on a 15-yard touchdown run to give the Vikings a 12-6 lead. The Viking victory, gave Hollister a 6-2 season record.
