Saturday High School football: Stevenson’s defense preserves win over Gonzales
MONTEREY — Battled tested doesn't begin to describe the challenges that Stevenson has found in front of them.
An overtime loss in its season opener. Starring at a 26-point deficit in the second half of a Week 3 battle before getting to within a possession of potentially winning the game. Four straight road games with four straight different kickoff starts.
So when the Pirates found themselves locked in a tie in the fourth quarter Saturday against Gonzales, it paled in comparison to the preseason bumps that prepared them for this moment.
"I asked the guys after the game how they felt?" Stevenson coach Kyle Cassamas said. "Have we played four quarters of football? The answer was 'No'. We still have room to grow and become the best version of ourselves."
For now, perfection remains on the table in the Santa Lucia Division after the Pirates made a Jacob Forste 27-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter stand up in a 24-21 win over Gonzales at Monterey Peninsula College.
"This is why we played the teams we faced in the preseason," Cassamas said. "The moment wasn't too big. We're chopping wood and carrying water."
Stevenson is one of three teams that is still undefeated in the Santa Lucia Division, joining much improved Pajaro Valley and 5-0 San Lorenzo Valley.
"I feel good at where we are currently," said Cassamas, who took Stevenson to a league title in 2022. "Some of what we have been forced to deal with is out of our hands. These kids handle adversity well."
Over the last four years, the Pirates are 16-2 in league play, with the two setbacks coming from programs that won titles and are now in a higher division.
"I was never worried about our confidence," Cassamas said. "A lot of these kids played in big games for us last fall as sophomores. We've learned how to play together. Now we're growing on the field."
Reggie Bell, one of a dozen sophomores brought up last year by Cassamas, compiled nearly 200 multi-purpose yards, including an 85-yard kickoff return to open the game, adding 85 yards and a 32-yard touchdown on the ground.
The Pirates built an early 14-0 lead when Caden Olson turned his only catch from quarterback Fin Mink into an 76-yard touchdown reception.
"We tried to get a big hit and didn't wrap up," Gonzales coach Eddy Ramirez said. "You take away those two plays in the first quarter and we played a solid game. We have to get our barring's right. It's tough to come back from a 14-point deficit."
Adjustments from Gonzales, however, got them back in the game as Ely Cisneros rushed for three touchdowns, tying the game in the third quarter from two yards out.
"We had a couple of chances in the fourth quarter to take the lead," Ramirez said. "But we turned it over on one drive and had a big penalty on the other. We ran out of running backs. We're limping along. It is about nutrition."
Gonzales, who is playing essentially 10 road games this year, while its field is being renovated, will have a bye week next week to heel up before facing undefeated San Lorenzo Valley at Alisal High on Oct. 19.
"It was good to see this young group stick together and push the needle forward," Cassamas said. "We were up agaisnt it tonight. Our defense stood tall once we got everything to work with some adjustments."
Tommy Dayton compiled 14 tackles for the Pirates, while Flint Dickson finished with seven tackles and an interception. Derek Diniz forced and recovered a fumble.
Scotts Valley 28, Seaside 7: Last year's meeting between the two perennial playoff contenders was for a Mission Division North title.
This fall it was about salvaging a season at the mid-point of the year as the defending champion Falcons scored the game's first 25 points to keep Seaside winless on the season.
Snapping a four-game losing streak, Scotts Valley puts itself back in the divisional title chase at 1-1 in the Mission Division North, while Seaside continues to struggle for an identity at 0-5.
Dating back to last year, the Spartans have dropped seven straight and eight of their last nine games as injuries have left them with a roster of 22 players.
A bright spot all season for the Spartans continues to be Julius Escort, who returned his third kickoff for a touchdown this year, and has produced seven of the team's nine touchdowns.
Of the five opponents Seaside — who hosts Watsonville next Friday — has faced this year, three went to the postseason last year, with two of them winning league titles.
This story was originally published October 5, 2024, 11:37 PM.
