The Hollister Vikings invaded Monterey on Sunday, winning three out of four contests, and still boast two undefeated teams with half a season done. In Sunday’s action:
Pee Wee: Vikings 13, Monterey Peninsula Jets 12
Hollister’s Pee Wees evened their record at 2-2 in a great battle of trenches and inches. The first quarter was quiet, but as the second quarter began, long runs by Zack Nelson and Austin Nye set up the go-ahead touchdown. A 14-yard run around the right side by Eddie Munoz to inches from the goal line was followed by Munoz’s 1-yard plunge through the middle, giving the Vikings a 7-6 lead. Huge defensive plays by the duo of Munoz and Nelson ended any drives by the Jets in the third quarter, allowing great field position for Vikings’ offense. On a Monterey pass play, Nelson leaped in front of a slanting Jet to snag an interception at the 40-yard line. After the Jets punted the ball at the start of the fourth quarter, Hollister’s defensive line of Zack Hicks, Marcus Darnell, Damon Perez and Damien Botelho dogged the Jets runners and pressed the quarterback time and time again. On a bull rush by Munoz during a Jets punt, he got a hand on the ball, knocking it down and giving the Vikings a first down inside 20-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Munoz then took the handoff into the end zone for six points and a 13-6 Hollister lead. The Jets took the ball and drove 40 yards for a score, Hollister’s defense stopped the point-after attempt with big hits by Hicks, Buzzetta and Nelson to preserve the Vikings’ win.
Junior Midget: Vikings 24, Monterey Peninsula Jets 0
The Vikings ran their winning streak to four with a 24-0 victory over the Monterey Jets. Except for being flagged for eight penalties for over 60 yards, the Viking players, defense and offense shared the spotlight, with the offense scoring early in the second quarter. Quarterback Tyler Decker hit Jared Lantis in the end zone with pass for a quick six points. The kick by Tyler Pina was good, putting the Vikings ahead 8-0. The defense performed in its usual dominant fashion, with Conner Stevens, Pina, Justin Raine, Adrian Soto and Ryan DiSalvo mixing up sets and pressuring the Jets quarterback all day. After a Jets’ punt, Isaac Navarette roared down the right side for a 60-yard touchdown on a punt return. Pina’s kick split the uprights and the Vikings took a 16-0 lead into the locker room. After the kickoff, the Vikings’ defense stuffed the Jets’ first drive when Sebastian Valencia recovered a fumble. Hollister’s offense came alive with big runs by Nathan Castro and Mark Neal putting the ball deep into Jets territory. A fumble brought the Vikings’ defense back onto the field, and it responded. DiSalvo combined with Soto for a sack, while Stevens, Jonathan Huaracha and Devin Quintana pressed the Jets quarterback constantly. When Monterey tried to punt, Huaracha blocked it and the Vikings recovered. The Vikings’ offense line and runners Nathaniel Morales and Julius Travis pushed the ball downfield, and Travis went in after took a pitch into the end zone for six points. Pina made his third consecutive two-point kick to complete the scoring.
Junior Pee Wee: Vikings 27, Monterey Peninsula Jets 0
The Vikings shut out the Jets on Sunday with great play on both the defensive and offensive sides of the ball. Dylan Yamasaki scored the first two touchdowns after Viking drives. Mikey Koroluk scored on a 38-yard run and also returned a punt 55 yards for Hollister’s last touchdown. The defensive line of Dominic Padilla, John Canes and Junior Munguia stopped the Jets from moving the ball. Angel Pasillas and Mikey Koroluk also made great defensive plays for Hollister. The Vikings also fired up their passing attack as Josh George caught a long pass from Pasillas.
Hollister’s only defeat of the day was at the hands of the Jets Midgets, who shut out the Vikings 28-0.
Mighty Mites: Monterey Peninsula Jets 12, Vikings 6
During their first away game of the season, the Mighty Mite Vikings came up just short to the Monterey Jets in a 12-6 loss. Both teams got off to a slow start offensively and the game remained scoreless through the first quarter. Under pressure by Kyle Cameron, Josh Garza and Nick Trimble, the Jets’ offense was put to the test. With a long run, however, Monterey came back in the second quarter to score the first touchdown of the game.
While the Vikings remained scoreless, the team’s offense moved the ball well with runs from Justin Sanders. Austin Cascio also intercepted a pass for Hollister’s defense.
Down 12-0, the Vikings came alive in the fourth quarter. With a long run by Cascio, and a lengthy gain down the middle by Bryan Noble, Hollister finally got on the scoreboard. Time, however, was against the Vikings. With seconds left, the team made a final push to tie the game. Daniel Hopkins made a series of quick runs to land in the end zone with an apparent touchdown. But in a heartbreaking twist, a penalty flag was thrown and the clock ran out, handing the Mighty Mites their first loss of the season.
Tiny Mites
The Tiny Mite Vikings traveled to Oak Grove on Sunday. It was perhaps the most exciting contest of the weekend as both teams kept taking the ball to the end zone over and over again. Hollister made five successful runs into the end zone. BJ Quintana made two such plays – one for 60 yards and the other for 19 – Antonio Caro made one for 33 yards, and Andres Soto completed runs for 30 and 60 yards. Hollister’s offensive line of Nick Perez, Shane Ledesma, Hector Lopez, Nathaniel Cardinalli and Keegan Mottau made the blocks that sprung Viking runners for big gains all day long. There weren’t many defensive highlights in the game, but Quintana made several good tackles and Bobby Vivian made a touchdown-saving tackle on a breakaway Oak Grove Rampage run.
The Vikings continue their road trip this weekend, as the Tiny Mites travel to Newark for a Saturday morning game. Sunday afternoon finds all other teams at Menlo Atherton, except for the Junior Midgets, who play Morgan Hill at 4pm at San Lorenzo Valley High School in Ben Lomond.
