San Lorenzo Valley senior Dom Aguilar was one of the many saviors for the Cougars football team in last week’s 12-7 thrilling win over Greenfield in non-league action Sept. 21.
But with the game on the line, it was Aguilar—who plays the weak side safety position—who had two key tackles on a goal line stand in the fourth quarter.
One of the tackles was for a big loss that gave the Cougars momentum and the victory in front of the home crowd.
“(Aguilar) played a lot last year, and it’s just showing up right now. These guys get it and they want to fight,” SLV head coach Dave Grant said.
Fellow teammate senior Haden Woolworth forced one fumble, senior Grady Cloyd had three tackles for a loss and sophomore linebacker Jacob Hardin had 10 tackles.
Senior cornerback Jordan Renteria batted down a pass attempt that was thrown to his side of the field as he leaped over a Greenfield receiver to break up the play on fourth down.
SLV’s defense has allowed just four touchdowns in four games played this season.
“We have a really good D-line and we have young linebackers but they are coming to play,” Grant said. “I just like this group, they’re a gritty bunch. These guys take a lot of pride in defense.”
The Cougars also redeemed themselves from a 41-7 loss to the Bruins in 2023, when they were both members of the Pacific Coast Athletic League Santa Lucia Division.
Grant said they knew going into last week’s game against Greenfield was a huge challenge because a majority of the team was returning. But it was a test they wanted, and being able to host this season in Felton was a big deal to the Cougars.
The Bruins struck first with a touchdown late in the first quarter, capitalizing on a fumble lost by SLV on its own 20-yard line.
The Cougars turned the ball over three times and got hit with some penalties at the wrong time, which is something uncharacteristic for this year’s bunch.
“We know we’ve got some stuff that we’ve got to clean up, but to play a really good opponent and deal with challenges the way we did, that part felt really good,” Grant said.
In the second stanza, SLV senior quarterback Jack Dagan connected with Aguilar on a 15-yard strike for a touchdown. The Cougars missed the extra point attempt, and still trailed the Bruins, 7-6, going into halftime.
SLV was awarded a gift when Greenfield fumbled on its own 35-yard line late in the third quarter.
Dagan and Justin Griffiths marched the Cougars’ offense on a drive down to the Bruins’ 1-yard line, which was then capped off by Gabe Machado as he bulldozed his way into the end zone for their first lead at 12-7.
With just two minutes remaining in the game, Greenfield had one final chance to retake the lead with the ball on SLV’s 1-yard line. Instead, the Cougars’ defense came up clutch en route to victory.
“I just can’t say enough about our seniors. They’re just really stepping up and doing everything we’re asking of them,” Grant said. “That was huge, just to finish the game like that with a goal line stand…I just can’t say enough about our defense. [It] just came through big time today.”
The Cougars (4-0) have bye week before heading into PCAL Santa Lucia Division play at Harbor (1-2) on Oct. 4 at 7pm.
Grant discussed league play for the first after last week’s game because prior to that it was never once brought up during training camp. He told the players it’s a clean slate and they are now back to a 0-0 record.
“We have not proven really anything that anyone will remember,” he said. “Starting out 4-0 in the preseason is awesome, we proved we have a lot of potential but our goal is to win league.”
SCOREBOARD
Prep football
Soquel 63, at Scotts Valley 3: The Falcons drop their third straight game following a loss to the Knights in non-league play Sept. 21.
Scotts Valley (1-3) will attempt to regroup before heading into PCAL Mission Division–North play. They will host North Monterey County on Sept. 28 at 2pm.
Flag football
Scotts Valley 43, at SLV 0: The Falcons improved to 2-1 in SCCAL play following a crushing win over the Cougars on Sept. 16.
Up next, Scotts Valley (2-1) continues league action against Aptos at Soquel High School on Oct. 2 at 6pm. SLV (0-2, 0-2) plays Harbor also on the same date at Soquel High at 8pm.
Cross country
Cougars compete at Tom Leikam Invitational: SLV senior Naomi Seastrom placed ninth in 19 minutes, 58 seconds on the newly modified three-mile course at Pinto Lake County Park in Watsonville during the inaugural Tom Leikam Invitational on Sept. 21.
The Cougars girls’ team placed fourth with a score of 82, just behind Hollister (81) in third, and team co-champion Watsonville and North Monterey County with a score of 66.
Other finishers for SLV include senior Ruby Evans (11th; 20:20), junior Jennifer Black (26th; 21:51), senior Orea Pollock (27th; 21:56) and senior Angelica Petrov (28th; 21:59).
On the boys side, senior Cian Ryan took 24th in 17:24, followed by junior Daniel Peabody (49th; 18:38), and seniors Louis Kressman (62nd; 20:34), Bennett Woolfolk (67th; 21:37), Noa Roton (70th; 22:19), and Jori Fields (80th; 27:24).
Boys water polo
At SLV 9, Alvarez 4: The Cougars earned a win against the Eagles in non-league action Sept. 20. SLV (2-1, 0-1) plays at Aptos (1-4) in SCCAL play Oct. 1 at 6:30pm.
