Junior Midgets & Junior Pee Wees Remain Undefeated

By Mark Neal, Dena Gregory & Justin Vivian Special to the Free Lance

Hollister’s Junior Midget Vikings remain undefeated and seem simply unstoppable this year after a win over their Division 1 rival, the Morgan Hill Raiders. Playing at San Lorenzo High School in Ben Lomond, the Vikings registered their fifth victory and their third straight shutout, defeating Morgan Hill 21-0 Sunday afternoon.

The Vikings scored in all but the third quarter, using a ball-control running game and an accurate passing game. Nathan Castro, running between the tackles posted big yards and points, and Julius Travis took a pass from Tyler Decker in for a score. Tyler Pina kicked a perfect 2-for-2 on two-point conversions.

The Vikings pursuing style of defense stuffed Raider runners all day long. Ryan DiSalvo and Conner Stevens led the way on the ends, while defensive linemen Jonathan Huaracha, Darin Hopkins, Isaiah Quintana, Tyler Pina and linebackers Adrian Soto, Tyler Pina, Justin Raine and Nathan Castro completed the package that held the Raiders scoreless throughout.

Late in first quarter, Isaiah Navarette returned a punt to the Morgan Hill 34. Castro, behind solid lead blocking, followed with a 22-yard burst. From there, Castro went off tackle and in for the six points.

On Morgan Hill’s next series, Navarette intercepted a pass to end the first quarter.

The Vikings’ defense led the second-quarter charge with key tackles from Mikey Soto, Stevens and Travis while DiSalvo recorded his second sack.

After a 23-yard run by Stevens and field positioning rushes by the trio of Travis, Castro and Mark Neal, Decker connected with Travis for another Vikings touchdown. Pina’s kick put the Vikings up 14-0.

In the third quarter, the Vikings defense was sharp in executing the game plan. The usual defensive unit added Jared Lantis, Hopkins, Quintana, Austin Blake and Sebastian Valencia, holding its ground to give the Vikings more opportunities to control the ball and the game.

Viking ballcarriers continued to eat up yards and the clock in the fourth quarter as Castro, Neal, Jacob Martin and Decker moved the ball up and down the field.

When the defense came in, it responded with run-stopping tackles by Raine, Huaracha, Stevens, DiSalvo and Pina to set up the final score of the contest.

Castro, starting inside the 30, took a handoff to the 5. One play later, Castro ran off tackle and found the end zone to complete Hollister’s second straight road win.

Pee Wee: Menlo-Atherton 13, Hollister Vikings  0

The Hollister Pee Wees fell to the Menlo-Atherton Vikings 13-0 in a well-fought battle that was not reflected in the final score.

Hollister came out strong against Menlo-Atherton.

Hollister’s offense moved the ball well early in the game with solid runs by Zack Hicks, Nate Garza and Austin Nye. During the second quarter, the momentum seemed to shift in Hollister’s favor as Austin Wahl made an interception. But Menlo-Atherton’s defense held firm. The teams went into halftime scoreless.

When play resumed, the Hollister defense took a stand. With a series of tackles led by Garza, Garrett Avina, Zack Nelson and a sack by Connor Bernal, Hollister looked dominant.

It was not until late in third quarter that Menlo-Atherton connected with a deep pass. Although Nelson made a strong tackle on the play, the completion set Menlo-Atherton up within scoring distance. With seconds left in the third quarter, Menlo-Atherton scored the game’s first touchdown.

While the Hollister offense continued to move toward the end zone with completions to both Zack Nelson and Dan Buzzetta, the team was stopped short of scoring. With 2 minutes remaining, Menlo-Atherton scored an insurance touchdown to put the game out of reach.

Junior Pee Wee: Hollister Vikings 12, Menlo-Atherton 0

Defense ruled the day as the Hollister Vikings locked horns with the Menlo-Atherton Vikings for the second straight year.

Last year, Hollister was shut out, but on Sunday, the Vikings returned the favor as Junior Munguia made multiple tackles in the backfield to lead a ferocious defensive charge that blanketed Menlo-Atherton throughout.

Early on, Hollister found the MA defense just as tough, but finally found a way to score just before halftime as halfback Mikey Koroluk launched a perfect pass downfield on a halfback option play that Cody Freitas hauled in for six points.

It wasn’t until late in the fourth quarter that Menlo-Atherton finally managed some offense, but Dominic Padilla stepped up to intercept a pass, ending MA’s drive. Moments later, Cody Cameron dashed 13 yards into the end zone for an insurance touchdown for Hollister.

The undefeated Junior Pee Wees have now shut out four consecutive teams. They have not allowed a score since the first week of the season.

Mighty Mite: Hollister Vikings 0, Menlo-Atherton 0

As the Hollister Mighty Mites faced off in a scoreless game against Menlo-Atherton, it was truly a clash of the Vikings as both teams share the same mascot. While Hollister’s offense had some shining moments with solid runs from Justin Sanders, Kyle Cameron, and Bryan Noble, this game was all about the defense.

The Hollister Vikings’ defense held tight down after down as the Menlo-Atherton Vikings failed to move into the end zone.

During the second quarter, there were some tense moments as Menlo-Atherton moved within scoring distance, but a timely tackle by Manuel Zuniga behind the line of scrimmage stopped MA in its tracks.

The defenses for both teams showed no signs of relenting. Ezzie Lovato, Andrew Lopez, Aaron Tobia, Tommy Ford and Kyle George all were key players in Hollister’s drive to keep Menlo-Atherton off the board.

In the final moments of the game, Daniel Hopkins opened up with a final run towards the goal, a play that was followed by two failed pass attempts. Hollister turned the ball over and the clock ran out on both teams.

The Midget Vikings also played on Sunday against Menlo-Atherton, prevailing by a 16-14 score for their second win of the season.

For the second week in a row, the Tiny Mite Vikings matched wits with a worthy opponent, taking on the Tri-Cities Titans and Newark. Hollister started strong as Antonio Caro, Andres Soto and BJ Quintana made great runs, followed by a run by Soto into the end zone.

The offensive line of Nick Perez, Dawson Garcia, Markie Martinez, Jay Martinez and Shane Ledesma made the blocks that sprung Hollister runners on their first drive.

Tri-Cities was able to contain the Hollister offense after that, although the Vikings did complete a pass from Jay Martinez to Quintana. Hollister’s defensive effort was led by Caro, who made two tackles behind the line of scrimmage. One of those tackles came during the Titans’ final drive, and Bobby Vivian also made a big tackle on a breakaway sweep just before the game ended. Soto also recovered a fumble for Hollister. 

This Saturday, the Viking teams return home, with most playing the Mountain View Marauders.  Games begin at 9:30am at Andy Hardin Stadium.