Tyler Stow connected on a school-record five touchdown passes — three of them to Carson Spence in second-half explosion — as Scotts Valley won The Big Game of the Santa Cruz Mountains on Oct. 22, 35-14.
The game, played under a bright blue sky before a packed stadium at SLV, was knotted 7-7 at the half.
Last year Scotts Valley won 52-51 in a five-overtime thriller, but the excitement this year in the second half was all Falcon.
The defensive unit for Scotts Valley held SLV’s power offense scoreless nearly the entire second half, while Stow went to work on the Cougar secondary.
Spence would finish with four catches for 101 years, and Stow’s passing total reached 257 yards at game’s end.
Elias Avalos had two sacks, and Tanner Gilton, Anthony Locatelli, Josh Eskew and Jason Bucio each had one. Bucio also blocked a field goal attempt.
Falcon coach Louie Walters notched his 101st victory against his alma mater where he was a one-time assistant.
The game had more on the line than mountain bragging rights, as the winner would be in a good position to secure a spot in the CCS playoffs.
SLV travels to Santa Cruz next week, then hosts Aptos, which has won five straight league titles.
Scotts Valley came within one touchdown of knocking off Aptos at home.
The Falcons host Soquel in an afternoon game at home next weekend, then end their regular season at night at home against Santa Cruz.
Kyle Rajala and Ryan Johnston each caught touchdown passes from Stow, who was 11-16.
For SLV, Jackson Turner caught a TD pass from Tanner Murray in the first quarter, then Scott Poetzinger, the game’s leading rusher with 84 yards, scored with 8 seconds left in the game.
