KING CITY — A strong running game and aggressive defense by host Live Oak knocked the King City Mustangs out of the Central Coast Section Division III football playoffs.
The Acorns downed the Mustangs, 40-16, on Friday in Morgan Hill and will advance to the CCS semifinals.
“They (Live Oak) showed why they are an A league team with their play and speed,” said King City head coach Mac Villanueva. “Playing without Rocky (Villanueva) hurt us as he is a great defensive player at linebacker and plays H back on offense, where he lead blocks for the running backs. If he had played, we would have had a better chance to win the game. We were trailing 20-9 at the half and were still in the game, but we had two turnovers early in the second half that put the game out of reach.”
Rocky Villanueva was ruled out of the matchup the past week after sustaining a leg injury in King City’s game with Stevenson that clinched the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Mission South championship.
The Acorns scored the first points of the game at the 6:12 mark of the first quarter with a 19-yard touchdown run by Josiah Delgado and a point-after attempt by quarterback Adrian Leal. After limiting the Mustangs to short gains and forcing a punt, the Acorns moved the ball down the field and finished the drive with another Delgado touchdown. Leal missed the PAT and the Acorns led 13-0.
Delgado was a force for Live Oak as he would score a total of four touchdowns and run for 162 yards on 26 carries.
The Mustangs had a chance to make the score 13-7, but a 46-yard touchdown run by Carson Tidwell was called back on a holding play. Delgado and his running mate Tanner Holman were the workhorses for the Acorns, gaining chunks of yardage. Holman did not score a touchdown but made the most of his carries with 104 yards on six carries.
Live Oak pushed the lead to 20-0 with a seven-yard score by Delgado and PAT by Leal.
At the 9:12 mark of the second quarter, Tidwell displayed his speed as he evaded the Acorn defense and scored on a 52-yard romp. After a bad snap, the Mustangs trailed 20-6. After forcing a punt, RJ Ayon returned the ball 46 yards to the Live Oak side of the field. With 2:37 left in the half, Johell Carrillo kicked a 37-yard field goal to make the score 20-9.
King City entered the intermission with hopes of making a comeback as they would receive the ball in the second half. Hopes were dashed on the kickoff when Ayon lost the ball and gave the Acorns good field position. Live Oak capitalized with the fourth touchdown by Delgado and PAT by Leal to build the lead to 27-9.
The next offensive series for King City was a costly one as a pass by quarterback Rocky Vasquez was picked off for an Acorn first down.
A few plays later, Leal ran in for a score and banged into the Mustangs’ JC Navarro, who came in to make a stop. After being hit by Leal, Navarro was then hit on the side by a Mustang teammate who came in to help on the play.
Navarro lay on the ground while receiving help from medical staff until he was taken to a local hospital in an ambulance. He was released later that evening.
Facing a 33-9 deficit, King City mounted a scoring drive behind the running and the passing of Vasquez to Kody Lambert and Alex Macias. With the Acorns intent on slowing down Tidwell, Vasquez called his own number from a yard out and scored the second Mustang touchdown of the game. The PAT cut the Live Oak lead to 33-16.
The game scoring ended in the fourth quarter with an Acorn touchdown by Anthony Rocha and Leal PAT for the 40-16 final.
Tidwell concluded the season with 20 carries for 117 yards and one touchdown and had one reception for 16 yards. Vasquez was nine of 21 in passing, connecting with five receivers for a total of 133 yards and scored a rushing touchdown. Lambert led the Mustang receivers with four receptions for 82 yards.
Coach Villanueva spoke from the heart as he addressed his team after the playoff loss to Live Oak.
“Last week were some of the best days of my life, and that was all about you guys,” he said. “We have a lot to build on. All you seniors, I can’t thank you enough for all your hard work and commitment. Hold your heads high, I’m very proud of you guys and just thank you all for a great season.”
Last Thursday the Mustangs gathered for their team dinner that was paid for and hosted by Santa Maria Seed and TS and L Seed Company. At the Rising Phoenix, the team and coaches celebrated the season and the upcoming playoff berth with hors d’oeuvres and each player was served their own personal pizza. On Friday, the team and coaching staff also received a ride to the game in Morgan Hill by a charted bus.
With a junior-dominated team, the Mustangs (9-2 overall record) could be in title contention again next season.
