Jamesley Giblin rushed for three touchdowns, quarterback Kyle Rajala contributed three more, and the Scotts Valley High football team opened the 2018 season with a 44-20 victory over former league foe Santa Cruz on Friday night in Scotts Valley.
Rajala rushed for two scores and passed for another. He also played safety and recorded an interception.
The senior signal-caller also kicked a field goal for Scotts Valley (1-0), which will host Eureka Senior on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Dillon Danner had three touchdown passes for Santa Cruz, connecting with Demitrius Gallegos, Zo Rodriguez and Henry Campion.
The Cardinals (0-1) will host Watsonville on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
At Wooster 24, SLV 14
San Lorenzo Valley traveled out of state for its first game – Reno, Nevada, to be exact. But its first win will have to come elsewhere.
The Cougars lost their season opener to Wooster High in nonleague play.
R.J. Kindred connected on a 40-yard touchdown pass to Julian Auldridge in the second quarter, while Taj Glasky tacked on a 1-yard scoring run in the third quarter.
The two teams were knotted at 14-all in the third quarter when SLV gave up a 65-yard kickoff return.
SLV (0-1) will again be on the road next Friday, when it travels to San Jose to take on Yerba Buena at 7 p.m.
Aptos 55, at Templeton 6
Marcos Reyes ran 136 yards and four touchdowns on eight carries and the Mariners opened their 2018 season with a convincing road victory.
Aptos amassed 471 yards on offense.
Silvano Lopez recorded three first-half interceptions, as Aptos built a 41-6 lead at the break. It was a running clock for the entire second half.
Quarterback Hunter Matys completed 4 of 4 passes, while Angel Aparicio connected on a 55-yard touchdown pass. They combined for 137 passing yards.
Aptos (1-0) will travel to San Mateo next Friday to take on Aragon at 7:30 p.m.
At Yerba Buena 47, Harbor 25
Unlike last season, Harbor on Friday night was unable to start its campaign with a win over Yerba Buena.
The San Jose school avenged its 2017 loss to Harbor, which will look to find the win column next Friday when it hosts Lynbrook at 7:30 p.m.
Against Yerba Buena, quarterback Jared Kruse, a transfer student from Utah, recorded a rushing touchdown for the Pirates (0-1), while Luke Salem and Preston Burgess each hauled in touchdown receptions.
St. Francis 51, Sobrato 16
The calendar reads August, but St. Francis’ offense appeared in mid-season form on Friday night.
Joseph Ramirez rushed for touchdowns of 37 and 20 yards, and passed for another, of 47 yards, to receiver Andrew Seymour.
Seymour also had a 43-yard scoring run — and two interceptions on defense — while Andy O’Rourke added a 29-yard touchdown run and Devin McLeod a 72-yard touchdown run. Aaron Soto also had a rushing touchdown for the Sharks (1-0).
Cesar Sanchez-Saenz and Abel Martinez each provided interceptions for St. Francis, which will play Pajaro Valley at Cabrillo College next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
At Soquel 40, Gunn 26
Soquel, under first-year head coach and former NFLer Dwight Lowery, began its season on a winning note.
No highlights were reported.
The Knights (1-0) will host Evergreen Valley on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Christopher 17, at MVC 14
Nick Fisher ran for a touchdown and Nick Bautista received a touchdown, but Monte Vista Christian needed one more score in order to top its former league rival.
MVC (0-1) will look to bounce back next Friday when it travels to Sunnyvale to take on The King’s Academy at 7:30 p.m.