Although it is a new week, some things do not change in regard to Monterey Trail. Another Metro League game and just like the previous, another Metro League blowout.
Monterey Trail remains undefeated on the season and in the Metro after a 62-0 victory last Friday against Laguna Creek at Cosumnes River College.
“It was nice to see kids fighting for each other and helping each other tonight,” said Monterey Trail head coach T.J. Ewing.
“The kids were all in and it’s nice to see the team playing hard.”
From the second play of the game, the Mustangs started to impose their will on the Cardinals. After a nice kickoff return, and two runs from Viktor Oliver, Monterey Trail were on the board after just 54 seconds.
The quick start to the game by Monterey Trail would continue and transfer over to the rest of the first quarter.
The Mustangs were able to stop the Cardinals’ rush-heavy offense and keep a balance on offense an route to scoring 28 first-quarter points.
Quarterback Zach Larrier threw two touchdown passes, both of which were caught by Andre Crump. Larrier also scored a touchdown on the ground from eight yards out.
“We were trying to get our offense going and keep moving the ball to keep them off the field,” said Laguna Creek head coach Dan Davis.
“They are very good and they are the real deal and they came in well prepared hats off to them.”
This week was also much of the same for Laguna Creek. It has been a tough season to date for the Cardinals and the struggles continued against Monterey Trail.
Although the results may not be showing on the scoreboard, Davis believes his team is progressing.
“We have been growing and that is the key thing for us,” Davis said.
“I think we are starting to come of age and playing a playoff-caliber team like Monterey Trail is can be a good thing to learn from.”
Once again, Monterey Trail continue to show that the Metro League poses no threats to them. Through four league games, the Mustangs have outscored their opponents 150-6 as they head into their league finale next week against McClatchy.
While winning games and by a wide margin is a good thing, not being tested in weeks while heading into the playoffs could showcase rust.
“I absolutely think that could happen but I also see how the kids practice and play so hard so I really think they will be fine,” Ewing said.
“I love our kids’ attitudes at practice and the battles between each other at practice and they face challenges between each other.”
Monterey Trail’s smallest margin of victory this season came on Sept. 21 against Paraclete which was still in the double digits at 14. The Metro may not pose a threat to the Mustangs but the CIF Section Playoffs will.
Because of that, Ewing knows he needs to keep his team hungry.
“I think keeping them motivated is probably the hardest thing to do for us,” Ewing said.
“We have never been in the position we are right now; we usually are fighting down to the wire and trying to grind out wins and not necessarily being in the position we are now.”
Laguna Creek will close out its season this week on the road against River City who are 1-8 overall (1-3 in the Metro) with a solid chance at closing out the season strong and building toward next season.
“We are looking forward to rebounding and looking at film and going back to work on Monday,” Davis said.
Monterey Trail this week against McClatchy will look to accomplish something that has never happened in school history, an undefeated regular season.
“For us it is just another week,” Ewing said.
“At the end of the day we never value the team off of wins and losses, it is all about the personal best and when the kids show that, then that is where the satisfaction comes in.”
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