URGENT UPDATE: All four Santa Cruz County football teams are set to begin their Central Coast Section (CCS) playoff journeys this weekend, but will face tough challenges on the road. The matchups were confirmed during the seeding meeting held on Sunday, and teams will compete in quarterfinals across various divisions.
Soquel High School, the Pacific Coast Athletic League (PCAL) Gabilan Division runner-up, enters the playoffs with a strong record of 9-1 and is seeded No. 5 in Division I. They will face off against the undefeated No. 4 Palma (10-0) at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas on Friday at 7 p.m. This matchup is particularly significant as Soquel aims to avenge their previous loss to Palma, a tight 28-21 defeat on Halloween.
Injuries have plagued Soquel, with over five starters sidelined, but the team remains determined. Junior quarterback Rowen Gonsiewski has stepped up in the absence of senior Sam Whelan, and running back Keyandre Bailey emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence: “We gotta have the same mentality going in, otherwise it’s going to be a (bad) result.”
In another crucial Division I matchup, No. 6 Saint Francis (5-5) will travel to take on No. 3 Los Gatos (7-3) on Friday at 7 p.m.. The stakes are high, as winning teams will advance to face the Open Division runner-up for the championship title on either November 28 or 29.
Meanwhile, in Division IV, fierce rivals Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley are both aiming for semifinal spots. Scotts Valley, seeded No. 6 with an 8-2 record, will challenge No. 3 Lincoln (7-3) in San Jose on Friday at 7 p.m. The Lions boast a formidable offense led by quarterback Luca Papoulias and running back Kyan Phillips.
San Lorenzo Valley, also 8-2 and seeded No. 7, faces No. 2 Willow Glen (8-2) in another key quarterfinal matchup on Friday at 7 p.m. Rams quarterback Aiden Akery is expected to lead his team with a dual-threat capability that could pose challenges for SLV.
In Division V, Santa Cruz (7-3) enters the playoffs as the No. 7 seed and will battle No. 2 Ann Sobrato (6-4) on Saturday at 1 p.m. Coach Sergio Escobar is optimistic despite the challenging competition, stating, “We’ve got a shot. People don’t want to see us get in the dance because once we start boogieing, we clear the dance floor.”
All eyes will be on these matchups as the games approach. Fans and players alike are gearing up for intense competition, with each team looking to make their mark in the playoffs. The excitement is palpable, as local communities rally behind their teams for this pivotal moment in the season.
Stay tuned for updates on these thrilling playoff games, as Santa Cruz County teams strive for victory on the road!
