Salinas shutout for the second time in falling to Clovis

CLOVIS >> Hold off on writing those eulogies for a football program that has more losses in its first three games this fall than it had all of last year.

As bleak as an 0-3 record sounds for reigning five-time Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division champion Salinas, as much as it has struggled to find its offense, there was an understanding before the year started that clearing barriers in its path would be part of the journey.

After two dynamic defensive performances to open the season, succumbing 38-0 Thursday at Clovis was more points than the Cowboys gave up in their first two games combined.

“People can think what they want,” Salinas coach Steve Zenk said. “The hardest part of our season is over. We're not going to see a team 100 pounds bigger than us across the line like we have the last two weeks.”

The three losses Salinas has suffered are to three teams that are a combined 6-2 and ranked in their respective sections after the first three weeks of the season.

“Kids are more resilient than adults,” Zenk said. “I'm more worried about our coaches. The focus has not changed. It's about getting a little better each day and doing the right things. We were better today than last week.”

Salinas isn't the first defending champion to open a season 0-3. Palma started 0-3 in 2012, then won its next seven games to capture the Gabilan Division title.

While Zenk won't use it as an excuse, eight starters have gone down with injuries. Salinas went into the season replacing 15 starters on both sides of the ball.

“We're not making the plays we need to make,” Zenk said. “At some point, you get tired of saying that. I'm not there yet. I don't even think it's mistakes. I think we've upped our level of play. We're just still not in sync.”

Particularly on offense, where the Cowboys have yet to produce a point in the first half and have just one touchdown through their first three games, having been outscored 73-8.

Salinas has not been shut out twice in the same season since the turn of the millennium.

Rediscovering the magic that watched Salinas produce 40 or more points eight times last fall has been hindered by the lineup changes from the injuries.

“I always have one message for the kids,” Zenk said. “It's not about wins. It never has been. Maybe some of the credit should go to the opponent. These were three talented teams. We knew what the possibilities were coming into the season.”

Clovis quarterback Degan Rose torched Salinas, throwing for 295 yards and five touchdowns, with his one mistake being a pick by Nolan Borel.

Unable to establish a running game, Salinas put the ball in the air 43 times, managing 121 yards in total offense, with Angelo Cimino catching five passes for 65 yards.

Another daunting task awaits Salinas next week, as it will look to snap a fourgame losing streak that dates back to last year's playoff setback when it closes nonleague play at undefeated Seaside.

“Seaside is good,” Zenk said. “Look what it has done in its first two games. Our effort is there. As long as I see that and kids playing for each other, I can live with the rest of it.”

Marina 55, James Lick 7

Having spent most of last season as a defensive end, Titus Calvera has found a position that suits his talents.

The sophomore quarterback set a school record with six touchdown passes — five in the first half — as Marina got into the win column this year.

“He threw a pick on his second drive,” Marina coach Jason Dennis said. “When he went back out the next time, he threw two deep balls on the money.”

Sacked 15 times last week in a loss to Seaside, the game plan was for Calvera to put the ball in the air and keep him upright.

“I thought we'd have him manage the game,” Dennis said. “When he got into a rhythm, I pulled back a little bit. I don't think he was touched the entire game. We did a good job of protecting him.”

Calvera tossed a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter to Noah Heath. It was JJ Willis' turn in the second quarter after he caught a pair, while Jordan Webb and Tyson Gross also caught touchdowns.

“Our protection held up and our defense played lights out,” Dennis said. “Our special teams were clicking today. We produced in all phases of the game.”

Julius Robinson returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown and added a touchdown run. He also had a kickoff and punt return for touchdowns called back because of penalties.

“We still have a lot of work in front of us,” Dennis said. “But we cleaned up a lot of mistakes today. We have to get back to work and get ready for another talented opponent in Rancho San Juan.”

Pacific Grove 34, Pajaro Valley 0

The Breakers will have a short week to gear up for another road trip, making a 28-point first half stand up in improving to 3-0.

“I don't know how the process works,” Pacific Grove coach Jeff Gray said. “The game was originally on Friday. But we were told two weeks ago it had been moved to Thursday.”

Gray was talking about Pacific Grove's final nonleague tune-up at undefeated Greenfield.

“We're a little beat up,” Gray said. “We have some guys that need some time to heal up. Some may have to sit. But that's part of it once you get into the season.”

For the second straight game, Gideon Llantero accounted for four touchdowns for the Breakers, with runs of 45 and 32 yards, while catching touchdown passes from both Brody Edmonds and Nathaniel Wade.

The two quarterbacks have been alternating series' throughout the preseason.

“I'm not sure if we will decide on one,” Gray said. “For the first four games, this is how it will be handled.”

Johnny Klevin added a touchdown run for Pacific Grove, which has scored 112 points in its first three games, while the defense, anchored by Pete Gamecho, posted its first shutout of the season.

“We have some good athletes on the defensive side,” Gray said. “We've had to move some guys around based on injuries. We have done some shuffling. But our depth is good. When a guy goes down, someone is stepping up in their place.”

Sobrato 48, North County 28

The Condors, who host high-scoring Harbor next week, have given up 112 points in their first three games. After being tied at 14, they were outscored 3414 down the stretch.

Quarterback AJ Gomez added to his impressive start to the season with touchdown passes to Chris Rasmussen and JT Islas, while adding a rushing touchdown. Alex Guzman fell on a fumble in the end zone for the Condors other touchdown.

Alisal 27, Sequoia 21

Having won just three games last year, the Trojans have matched their win total in the first three games of the season — all on the road.

Alisal quarterback Santiago Chaidez rushed for a touchdown with under five minutes remaining to break up a tie and make the bus ride home enjoyable.

While their field continues to be renovated, the Trojans have been forced to practice most of the fall on a field outside the stadium where the grass is brown and missing in places.

The hope is that Alisal's newly laid synthetic turf field will be ready by Thursday and that it will be able to host Palma on Friday in its final nonleague tune-up.

While the Trojans never trailed in the game, Sequoia tied it at 21 in the fourth quarter. The Trojans then went on a time-consuming drive that was extended when Nate Ruiz took a toss on fourth-and-6 and picked up 7 yards.

Alisal ran off 14 straight points behind touchdowns from Damion Gonzalez and Caleb Gabriel. Gonzales had two touchdowns, giving him five on the season.

King City 14, Gonzales 12

With the exception of the Great Depression in the 1930s and the pandemic, the Spartans and King City have been playing each other since 1931 — the oldest rivalry in the county.

With the win, King City holds a 57-32-2 series lead, having won 16 of the past 18 meetings.

The Mustangs, who changed their helmet colors after more than 50 years, going from silver to blue, had opened the season with a pair of losses.

The Spartans, who have started 0-3 three straight years, went into their bag of tricks, with a double pass that resulted in a JP Ayala 51-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Perez with 2 minutes and 4 seconds left getting them to within two points.

In need of a two-point conversation to tie the game and potentially create overtime, Chris Gayton spoiled it by breaking up the pass for King City. Fabian Herrera then recovered the onside kick.

North Salinas 42, Gilroy 7

Winless last year, the Vikings are one of eight teams in the Pacific Coast Athletic League still undefeated after hammering Gilroy.

In three games this fall, North Salinas has produced a Pacific Coast Athletic Leaguer co-leading 138 points, while having allowed the second lowest amount of points among teams that have played three games at 22.

Last year North Salinas managed just 71 points all season, scoring just seven offensive touchdowns.

Sophomore quarterback Kai Ceralde, the nephew of the head coach, continues to grow into the offense, accounting for the team's first three offensive touchdowns against Gilroy.

The younger Ceralde tossed a 60-yard touchdown pass to Jah Atualeivao and added touchdown runs of 6 and 1 yard for North Salinas.

Demajae Roberson scored touchdowns in all three phases for North Salinas, returning a punt 52 yards for six, taking back a pick six, and rushing for a touchdown. The senior returned a blocked punt for a touchdown earlier this year.

Monte Vista 31, Rancho San Juan 13

A 25-yard touchdown run by Ian Rey in the first quarter gave Rancho San Juan an early 7-6 lead, before Monte Vista ran off 25 of the game's next 31 points.

Julian Pineda, who also had a 50-yard kickoff return, added a touchdown run in the second half to get Rancho San Juan to within a touchdown.

Atascadero 49, Alvarez 28

Holding a 28-22 halftime lead, the Greyhounds outscored Alvarez 21-6 in the second half. Last year the two teams engaged in arguably one of the best games of the season before Atascadero prevailed in overtime.

Kain Holly had a 41-yard touchdown reception for Alvarez, while Amani Lang, Edgar Chavez and Andres Solano all rushed for touchdowns.

The Eagles, who fell to 1-2, will face another undefeated team next Friday, hosting Carmel.

Branham 55, Soledad 26

The growing pains continue for defending Mission Division champion Soledad, which fell to 0-3 after a loss to Branham of San Jose.

Soledad did take its first lead of the season in the first quarter when Ivan Salcido connected with Victor Ruano for a touchdown on its opening drive. Salcido added a touchdown run late in the game.

Greenfield 20, St. Francis 14 OT

The redemption tour continues for the upstart Bruins as Gilbert Synder scored from 8 yards out in overtime to help them improve to 3-0.

Greenfield, which avenged a loss last week to Soledad, is off to its first 3-0 start since 2010, the year it set a school record for wins with nine in reaching the playoffs.

Anchored by linebacker Nathan Cox and his 15 tackles and one fumble recovery, the Bruins have allowed just six points in the second half this year.