The San Lorenzo Valley High football team this fall season has struggled on offense to cap off drives with touchdowns in the red zone, especially near the goal line.
However, senior running back Justin Griffis was able to flip the script this past weekend. He managed to find the end zone three times to help lead the Cougars in a 28-7 victory over St. Francis High in Pacific Coast Athletic League action Oct. 10.
Griffis finished with 61 yards rushing on 13 carries, while teammate junior Jesse Fulkerson had a team-best 134 yards rushing and one TD on 12 carries.
“The way that we played on Saturday is what we had originally pictured the way we would look going into the season,” SLV head coach Dave Grant said. “Unfortunately, we’ve had injuries and stuff along the way. But, just having all of our running backs made a huge difference.”
SLV also utilized senior running back Cody Goulart and fullback Jacob Hardin into the mix, allowing Grant to spread the workload evenly and keeping bodies healthy as they hit the final stretch of their campaign.
SLV (2-5) improved to a 1-1 record in the PCAL Mission North Division standings, while also snapping a two-game losing streak. St. Francis (2-5) dropped to 0-2 in league play this season.
Senior defensive back Landon Pifer recorded a pair of interceptions for the Cougars, while teammate senior defensive back Carter Scarborough had one interception.
Senior linebacker Nico Brasuell, who missed the first four games of the regular season, led SLV’s defense with 10 tackles.
“[Brasuell’s] really shown a lot on defense in coverage, and just the way he pursues and tackles,” Grant said.
Hardin added six tackles, while senior inside linebacker Jackson Patton recovered one fumble.
“We had four turnovers on defense, and that’s another thing that’s been lacking that we’ve been talking a lot about,” Grant said. “We’ve gotta get more turnovers.”
SLV is currently on a much-needed bye week, giving them time to recover after going up against some physical teams, such as North Monterey County High and St. Francis.
“We’re gonna lay off some contact this week here, and kind of take a close look at ourselves as we get into the last three games of the season,” Grant said.
It also gives the Cougars two weeks to prepare for Monte Vista Christian (4-2, 0-2) in what will be their final home game in Felton this season. The PCAL Mission North Division contest is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 12:30pm.
Going into the game, Grant said the focal point will be all about the fundamentals, including being able to tackle in space or forcing difficult throws for the opposing quarterback.
“It’s about us just executing our offense,” Grant said. “We just really want to tighten up what we’re doing, and we’re going to take a look at Monte Vista. I know it’s going to be a tough game.”
Scotts Valley at Monte Vista Christian, Friday at 7:30pm: The Falcons and Mustangs will square off in PCAL Mission North Division action after both teams came off the bye week.
Scotts Valley (4-2, 1-0) has turned things around by winning three consecutive games, including a 14-10 victory over SLV in league play Oct. 3.
MVC (4-2, 0-1) has lost two straight, including a 42-7 defeat to Aptos High in league play Oct. 3.
Girls golf
At Scotts Valley 167, Aptos 210: Lizzie Goldfield earned medalist honors to help the Falcons defeat the Mariners in Santa Cruz Athletic League play at Boulder Creek Golf Club on Oct. 6.
Goldfield shot a 27, while teammate Zoe Robbins was close behind after she shot a 29 that included a birdie on the fifth hole.
Other top Scotts Valley finishers included Jess Ervine (33), Camille Zwerling (37), Hazel James (41) and Campbell Flores (42).
Lemi Anastasopoulos shot a team-best 35 for Aptos, followed by Emily Kniffin (40), Dakota Bamford (41), Mia Vanetti (48) and Charlotte Gubser (46).
Next up, Scotts Valley (7-1) plays against Soquel at DeLaveaga Golf Course on Oct. 15 at 4pm.
Correction: An earlier version of this story said the match was Oct. 12, which is incorrect. Both teams played Oct. 6.
Girls tennis
Santa Cruz 6, at SLV 1: The Cougars earned their lone point at No. 3 doubles via forfeit in a defeat to the Cardinals in SCCAL play Oct. 8.
In singles action, Santa Cruz’s Camille Lambert notched a 6-1, 6-0 victory against Cassidy Collier at No. 1.
Willa Narath earned a 6-0, 6-2 win over SLV’s Isla Borthwick in the No. 2 spot, while Zosia Hayes topped Louisa Gerlach 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3.
In doubles play, Lauren Vermeil and Lu Mohamed picked up a 6-0, 6-1 victory against Jamie Hasbrook and Fiona Rousseau at No. 1.
Juliet Hekkiman and Rainey Ruf added a 6-1, 6-0 win over Sophia Diaz and Lovina Wildermuth-Reyes in the No. 2 spot.
Scotts Valley 6, at Harbor 1: The Falcons secured three wins in singles play and swept all three doubles matches to soar past the Pirates in SCCAL action Oct. 8.
In No. 1 singles play, freshman Marta Nadyer Camilo topped Joslyn Courneen 6-2, 6-2. Senior Montserrat Burgos Saavedra added a 6-0, 6-1 victory against Maya Thom at No. 2, and senior Raquel Sullivan defeated Addisen Kimmel 6-2, 6-2 in the No. 3 spot. Harbor’s Emily Reyes Sebastian scored a 6-0, 6-0 win against Zicheng Zeng at No. 4 singles.
In doubles competition, senior Georgia Chetcuti and sophomore Lily Flores earned a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Layla Coombs and Keyli Salpuero Portillo at No. 1.
Senior Konie Lim and sophomore Sabina Shanfield won at No. 2 doubles after Elsa Tellez and Fiona Goldman retired due to injury.
Scotts Valley senior Alina Charley and freshman Lillian Foss completed the sweep at No. 3 with a 6-1, 6-2 victory against Malia Dyer and Christiana Herzog.
Scotts Valley (3-3, 3-2) visited league-leading Aptos High (8-0, 6-0) on Tuesday.
