The Falcons have celebrated for nine straight weeks and have now earned the uncontested Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League championship for the first time in school history.
This is the third consecutive league championship for Scotts Valley, but first championship they have not had to share with another team in the league.
This weekend they have a bye and will await their playoff seeding. For a stellar regular season, they will probably earn the top seed in the Division IV playoffs.
Come back to find out who the Falcons will face in the playoffs.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
A homecoming blowout.
It was a joyous night on Friday, Oct. 24 as the Falcons celebrated a 44-15 win over St. Francis High School. Star running back Kyle Hardwick was named king, and soccer player and sprinter Abby Imboden was named the Falcon queen.
The Falcon's pulled away from the upstet-minded Sharks on the second punt-return for a touchdown by junior Ryan Estrada in the third quarter that made the score 34-7. The Falcons never looked back and celebrated their standing as the lone first place squad in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League.
The Falcon's pulled away from the upstet-minded Sharks on the second punt-return for a touchdown by junior Ryan Estrada in the third quarter that made the score 34-7. The Falcons never looked back and celebrated their standing as the lone first place squad in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Shark infested waters for homecoming
It's always nice to celebrate homecoming with a win. The idea is to schedule an opponent who might play you tough for the first two quarters and then you break the game open in the third, allowing your seniors to celebrate their day with high fives and handshakes for the final period.
It doesn't always work that way.
Last season, the Falcons spoiled rival SLV's homecoming by eeking out a victory over the Cougars in Felton. This season, the Falcons scheduled a team for their homecoming game that had little to no expectations coming into the season, but could shock the league-leading Falcons if they're not careful.
The St. Francis CC Sharks are coming to town in tonight's homecoming showdown at 7:30 p.m. at Scotts Valley High School.
St. Francis is scary for a number of reasons. They are tough, they are motivated and they handled Soquel last week, proving they are for real.
The Sharks finished the 2007 season without a win. They had two seniors on the team and they were blown out in many of their games.
This season has been different. The Sharks are 5-1 with their only loss coming to Carmel in the first game of the season.
If Scotts Valley is not focused from the early going, they could face an uphill battle against a talented squad itching to win its first league title.
It doesn't always work that way.
Last season, the Falcons spoiled rival SLV's homecoming by eeking out a victory over the Cougars in Felton. This season, the Falcons scheduled a team for their homecoming game that had little to no expectations coming into the season, but could shock the league-leading Falcons if they're not careful.
The St. Francis CC Sharks are coming to town in tonight's homecoming showdown at 7:30 p.m. at Scotts Valley High School.
St. Francis is scary for a number of reasons. They are tough, they are motivated and they handled Soquel last week, proving they are for real.
The Sharks finished the 2007 season without a win. They had two seniors on the team and they were blown out in many of their games.
This season has been different. The Sharks are 5-1 with their only loss coming to Carmel in the first game of the season.
If Scotts Valley is not focused from the early going, they could face an uphill battle against a talented squad itching to win its first league title.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
"ugly" win looks just fine in the standings
What Falcon coach Louie Walters called an "ugly" win against Leland did give the team plenty to work on this week, but it's easy to overlook that this triumph was recorded against a school twice Scotts Valley's size that's historically very successful in an extremely tough league over the hill.
The play-calling in the first half seemed devoted almost exclusively to wide runs and passes in the flat that didn't get much traction. The second half adjustments worked like a c
harm, however, as the Falcons ran more traps through the line and let quarterback Blake Jurich look deeper downfield. It's interesting, too, that the Falcons' big drive of the third quarter featured so many performers -- there were big gains by Estrada, Pollok, Hardwick, Bright, Bariteau and Read before Hardwick put Scotts Valley on the board. The variety in play-calling and offensive weapons worked extremely well there.
Jurich turned in a nice day by going 6-for-12 with 75 yards and no picks despite being under constant pressure seemingly every time he faded back. The line really rose to the occassion, by giving him plenty of time on that big 3rd and nine pump-and-go that netted 38 yards to Joey Bright, however.
The Falcon defense turned in a great effort. The Charger quarterback could throw, but coverage was tight the whole game and the pressure on him was constant. The strength of Scotts Valley's secondary is going to be huge this year in stifling offenses with Trevin Dean, Brad Hartman, Bright and others leading the way. There were several highlight-reel hits by Tyler Moore that were something to watch, and that final sack Scotts Valley recorded that pushed Leland into a hopeless fourth down attempt in the final minutes was a perfect cap to the day.
The play-calling in the first half seemed devoted almost exclusively to wide runs and passes in the flat that didn't get much traction. The second half adjustments worked like a c
harm, however, as the Falcons ran more traps through the line and let quarterback Blake Jurich look deeper downfield. It's interesting, too, that the Falcons' big drive of the third quarter featured so many performers -- there were big gains by Estrada, Pollok, Hardwick, Bright, Bariteau and Read before Hardwick put Scotts Valley on the board. The variety in play-calling and offensive weapons worked extremely well there.Jurich turned in a nice day by going 6-for-12 with 75 yards and no picks despite being under constant pressure seemingly every time he faded back. The line really rose to the occassion, by giving him plenty of time on that big 3rd and nine pump-and-go that netted 38 yards to Joey Bright, however.
The Falcon defense turned in a great effort. The Charger quarterback could throw, but coverage was tight the whole game and the pressure on him was constant. The strength of Scotts Valley's secondary is going to be huge this year in stifling offenses with Trevin Dean, Brad Hartman, Bright and others leading the way. There were several highlight-reel hits by Tyler Moore that were something to watch, and that final sack Scotts Valley recorded that pushed Leland into a hopeless fourth down attempt in the final minutes was a perfect cap to the day.
Amazing Texas trip
In his next life, Falcon coach Louie Walters may want to come back as a travel agent, because these out-of-state trips that he does for the football team are hugely enjoyable for the players and parents in addition to being good for the team. While Walters got the idea of tough early-season scheduling from SLV's Doug Morris, Morris himself and others in the area are now realizing the benefits of Walters' cross-country travelling for team-building, giving the players something important to focus on in the offseason and more.
Not only did everyone get to tour the legendary King Ranch -- which at one point was larger than the state of Rhode Island -- and the World War II aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lexington in addition to watching a truly memorable "Friday Night Lights" football game, but the hospitality of Alice, Texas left it's mark on virtually everybody from Scotts Valley who went. The Alice team hosted a dinner for all the Scotts Valley folks that was attended by about 500 people -- the Mayor of Alice attended and read from Scotts Valley Mayor Johnson's jokingly trash-talking letter predicting a Falcon win, the local District Attorney, and it seemed like everybody else in Alice. One of Alice's three high school bands serenaded the crowd over a delicious meal, and it sounds like an amazing time was had by all.
As you can imagine, the logistics of raising the money and coordinating 130+ people travelling from California to Texas were daunting in the extreme. Team mom Sheri Dean estimates she spent at least ten hours per week organizing the trip since February, but she modestly said that paled in comparison to all the hours that others put into the effort. When you realize that $50,000 was raised for the trip, that each player on the team was responsible for raising $850 by selling coupon books, the lift-a-thon, working at car washes and the like, you start to understand the scope of planning and execution involved in an endeavor like this.
Walters said several in Alice talked about possibly travelling to Scotts Valley next year for a re-match, which Louie said he'd love to do. It's hard to imagine what all the Alice players, coaches, fans and parents would think at seeing the Scotts Valley's facilities, however. Alice has three full-time groundskeepers who do nothing but tend to the turf on their stadium field, which has individual seating assignments and season tickets. And some of the folks in Alice were apologizing for the state of their facility, assuring their Scotts Valley visitors that they plan to replace their 10,000 bleacher seats soon with something nicer!
There's a group in Scotts Valley that's starting to raise money and awareness of the need for better athletic facilities at the campus, given the horrible drainage problems up there that partially relate to flawed construction when the fields was built. If you're interested in helping with this important effort, e-mail SVHSSportsplex@aol.com and get involved!
Not only did everyone get to tour the legendary King Ranch -- which at one point was larger than the state of Rhode Island -- and the World War II aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lexington in addition to watching a truly memorable "Friday Night Lights" football game, but the hospitality of Alice, Texas left it's mark on virtually everybody from Scotts Valley who went. The Alice team hosted a dinner for all the Scotts Valley folks that was attended by about 500 people -- the Mayor of Alice attended and read from Scotts Valley Mayor Johnson's jokingly trash-talking letter predicting a Falcon win, the local District Attorney, and it seemed like everybody else in Alice. One of Alice's three high school bands serenaded the crowd over a delicious meal, and it sounds like an amazing time was had by all.
As you can imagine, the logistics of raising the money and coordinating 130+ people travelling from California to Texas were daunting in the extreme. Team mom Sheri Dean estimates she spent at least ten hours per week organizing the trip since February, but she modestly said that paled in comparison to all the hours that others put into the effort. When you realize that $50,000 was raised for the trip, that each player on the team was responsible for raising $850 by selling coupon books, the lift-a-thon, working at car washes and the like, you start to understand the scope of planning and execution involved in an endeavor like this.
Walters said several in Alice talked about possibly travelling to Scotts Valley next year for a re-match, which Louie said he'd love to do. It's hard to imagine what all the Alice players, coaches, fans and parents would think at seeing the Scotts Valley's facilities, however. Alice has three full-time groundskeepers who do nothing but tend to the turf on their stadium field, which has individual seating assignments and season tickets. And some of the folks in Alice were apologizing for the state of their facility, assuring their Scotts Valley visitors that they plan to replace their 10,000 bleacher seats soon with something nicer!
There's a group in Scotts Valley that's starting to raise money and awareness of the need for better athletic facilities at the campus, given the horrible drainage problems up there that partially relate to flawed construction when the fields was built. If you're interested in helping with this important effort, e-mail SVHSSportsplex@aol.com and get involved!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Alice evacuees safe
The Alice Echo News is reporting that 25 people from the Alice area who evacuated their homes because of the threat of Hurricane Ike have returned safely today.
In football news, the Alice Coyotes week 3 game against the Mission High Veterans was rescheduled from last weekend to Thursday, Sept. 18.
In football news, the Alice Coyotes week 3 game against the Mission High Veterans was rescheduled from last weekend to Thursday, Sept. 18.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Mixed bag for Falcons in Texas
It seems like the Falcon varsity football team had a fairly strong outing in Texas but plenty of things to work on. That's exactly why Louie Walters schedules these tough early games against big schools -- Alice High School has approximately 1,900 students, as does this week's opponent Leland, about double what Scotts Valley has. These early games bring lots of lessons, often painfully delivered, but they pay off tenfold when schedule moves to SCCAL-only opponents, which is where championships and post-season glory is won. Last year, the Falcons were 1-3 as I recall, but the tough competition meant they were ready in spades for their league opponents, which is what lead to their great season last year.
In assessing the Alice game, the fact that the Falcons played -- literally -- by a different set of rules is an easy factor to overlook. Cut or chop blocking, where you essentially throw yourself against a defender's legs, is only legal in California football between the tackles; in Texas, you can do it anywhere on the field. As you can imagine, it's a technique that produces lots of injuries. This was the only game of the year where that's the case, so it didn't make sense for all the Falcons to practice cut blocking; besides, there's not a great way to practice it without doing it, which of course could lead to practice injuries. Several of the players seemed thrown for a loop by the cut blocking everywhere during the first half.
In allowing 527 yards of Alice offense, it was obviously not a night up to the usual high standard for Jeff Metter's Falcon defenses. The good news is, SV almost certainly won't face another team with the kind of speed in the backfield that Alice has until the post-season. Having two backfield threats who were off to the races as soon as they get a step on you is a recipe for long touchdown runs, as the Coyotes showed. Leland will be a great test of how much of the Falcons' defensive problems were due to exceptional backs the likes of which we won't see again in league play, or whether there's something systemic.
It'll be interesting to see on Saturday if Scotts Valley can succeed offensively where they couldn't last week in establishing the running game. In addition to the record-holding Kyle Hardwick, the Falcons have unusually capable rushers in Blaine Bariteau and Caleb Read, so the weapons are there. Given a significantly lighter O-line this year than last, though, what kind of holes will they have this season? Even if the Falcons do run successfully this season -- and I think they will -- it might not be the kind of early game success of last year where teams were struggling to contain Hardwick from the get go an on their heels for the rest of the game. Against Alice, it was Blake Jurich's passing to Joey Bright that loosened Alice's defense up and moved the sticks. Against the big D-line from Leland, will the Falcons again look to establish the run first, or come out throwing with Jurich to spread the Chargers from the start?
Don't forget the freshman and JV games early in the day Saturday. Both of those teams should continue last year's success and contend for the league's top spot. And turn out at 2 p.m. to support the varsity Falcons and watch some great football!
In assessing the Alice game, the fact that the Falcons played -- literally -- by a different set of rules is an easy factor to overlook. Cut or chop blocking, where you essentially throw yourself against a defender's legs, is only legal in California football between the tackles; in Texas, you can do it anywhere on the field. As you can imagine, it's a technique that produces lots of injuries. This was the only game of the year where that's the case, so it didn't make sense for all the Falcons to practice cut blocking; besides, there's not a great way to practice it without doing it, which of course could lead to practice injuries. Several of the players seemed thrown for a loop by the cut blocking everywhere during the first half.
In allowing 527 yards of Alice offense, it was obviously not a night up to the usual high standard for Jeff Metter's Falcon defenses. The good news is, SV almost certainly won't face another team with the kind of speed in the backfield that Alice has until the post-season. Having two backfield threats who were off to the races as soon as they get a step on you is a recipe for long touchdown runs, as the Coyotes showed. Leland will be a great test of how much of the Falcons' defensive problems were due to exceptional backs the likes of which we won't see again in league play, or whether there's something systemic.
It'll be interesting to see on Saturday if Scotts Valley can succeed offensively where they couldn't last week in establishing the running game. In addition to the record-holding Kyle Hardwick, the Falcons have unusually capable rushers in Blaine Bariteau and Caleb Read, so the weapons are there. Given a significantly lighter O-line this year than last, though, what kind of holes will they have this season? Even if the Falcons do run successfully this season -- and I think they will -- it might not be the kind of early game success of last year where teams were struggling to contain Hardwick from the get go an on their heels for the rest of the game. Against Alice, it was Blake Jurich's passing to Joey Bright that loosened Alice's defense up and moved the sticks. Against the big D-line from Leland, will the Falcons again look to establish the run first, or come out throwing with Jurich to spread the Chargers from the start?
Don't forget the freshman and JV games early in the day Saturday. Both of those teams should continue last year's success and contend for the league's top spot. And turn out at 2 p.m. to support the varsity Falcons and watch some great football!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Alice in pictures
The Falcons returned from Alice, Texas on the losing end of a 42-27 game, but the trip was an exciting one. Here are a handful of links to albums from parents and local media in Alice.
Here's a local site that took mostly shots of Alice, but a few of Falcon players in action.
Sheri Dean, a Falcon mother, has posted a bunch of pictures chronicling the entire trip.
The local paper, the Alice Echo News got some nice shots too, including a taste of video from the game. (You might have to log in at the bottom, but its a one stop deal to create a username and password).
On a side note, Alice might be in the way of Hurricane Ike, a potentially category 4 hurricane. Alice High School is closing for the next couple of days and the town may be evacuated.
Here's a local site that took mostly shots of Alice, but a few of Falcon players in action.
Sheri Dean, a Falcon mother, has posted a bunch of pictures chronicling the entire trip.
The local paper, the Alice Echo News got some nice shots too, including a taste of video from the game. (You might have to log in at the bottom, but its a one stop deal to create a username and password).
On a side note, Alice might be in the way of Hurricane Ike, a potentially category 4 hurricane. Alice High School is closing for the next couple of days and the town may be evacuated.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A Lone Star Wager
While the varsity squad was tuning up for its contest against the Alice High School Coyotes on Friday, Sept. 5, Scotts Valley Mayor Randy Johnson was busy on the phones.
Check out the article in the Sept. 5 Press-Banner.
Also, the heat might be a factor in the outcome of the game according to the Alice Echo News.
Map credit: http://www.city-data.com/
The short version is that Johnson, an avid SV fan, placed a friendly wager on the game with the mayor of Alice, the small football-crazed town in the heart of southern Texas. 
Check out the article in the Sept. 5 Press-Banner.
Also, the heat might be a factor in the outcome of the game according to the Alice Echo News.
Map credit: http://www.city-data.com/
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Extra notes from the Jamboree
Scotts Valley tied for third with 23 points in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League jamboree on August 29. Jamboree winners and losers are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, but the performance on the field is always entertaining. Here are a couple of observations from the Friday night contests in the fog:
Hit of the night: Trevin Dean steaked from his free safety slot and drilled a Pajaro Valley runner sprinting toward the left sideline for a 5-yard loss on the fly sweep.
Play of the night: Joey Bright. Bright coralled a short pass on the left side and made virtually the entire Pajaro Valley defense miss on his way to a 50-yard touchdown reception. He plowed through arm tackles and juked at least six defenders on his way into the endzone.
Thrown away: Blake Jurich, a junior, was sharp on a number of short and midrange throws, but most incouraging was when Jurich was in danger of being sacked, he rolled out to his left and threw the ball away, avoiding the sack and giving the Falcons a shot on the next play.
"Blake and Aldin, they both played well," said head Coach Louie Walters afterward.
There is an official competition between Jurich and Aldin Barrett but based on his jamboree performance, it will be a surprise if Jurich doesn't get the starting nod.
Photo: Lucjan Szewczyk/Press-Banner
Hit of the night: Trevin Dean steaked from his free safety slot and drilled a Pajaro Valley runner sprinting toward the left sideline for a 5-yard loss on the fly sweep.
Play of the night: Joey Bright. Bright coralled a short pass on the left side and made virtually the entire Pajaro Valley defense miss on his way to a 50-yard touchdown reception. He plowed through arm tackles and juked at least six defenders on his way into the endzone.
Thrown away: Blake Jurich, a junior, was sharp on a number of short and midrange throws, but most incouraging was when Jurich was in danger of being sacked, he rolled out to his left and threw the ball away, avoiding the sack and giving the Falcons a shot on the next play.
"Blake and Aldin, they both played well," said head Coach Louie Walters afterward.
There is an official competition between Jurich and Aldin Barrett but based on his jamboree performance, it will be a surprise if Jurich doesn't get the starting nod.
Photo: Lucjan Szewczyk/Press-Banner
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