KING CITY — Junior running back Alex Valdez ran for 211 yards on 40 carries and scored four touchdowns in the King City Mustangs’ 27-6 victory over the visiting Santa Cruz High Cardinals. The win helped the Mustangs improve to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in their Cypress Divisional opener.
“We left 14 points on the field in the first half,” said King City head coach Mac Villanueva. “One score was a 45-yard run that was called back on a penalty and another was when we turned the ball over on an interception. Alex Valdez ran the ball well and he has become our feature back as we have four running backs out with injuries. The offensive line created some big holes and either side of the line. We needed that production with the run because we lost receiver Isa Gonzalez to an injury and he never came back in the game.”
Valdez gave the Mustangs a 7-0 lead with a one-yard touchdown run on the first King City offensive drive and scored again from three-yards as the host took a 14-0 first quarter lead. The Mustangs took a three-touchdown advantage in the second quarter with a 10-yard rushing touchdown. With Jonathan Toledo perfect for three point after attempts King City had a 21-0 lead.
Santa Cruz avoided a shutout by scoring on a pass play for a touchdown with just five seconds showing on the clock. The Cardinals missed the PAT and trailed 21-6 at the half time intermission.
In the second half the defense led by Jonah Mendez, Mario Sanchez, and Gabe Ortiz. Mendez and Sanchez came up with some solo tackles and Ortiz was credited with a sack. Valdez scored a two-yard touchdown and Toledo added his fourth PAT as the Mustangs won the game by a 28-6 tally.
“We are a little beat up from the Christopher because they were a physical team,” said Villanueva. “This week we play St. Francis for our Homecoming Game and their record is a little deceiving at 3-1. We just want to play well, execute, and not have any other injuries.”
