Game of the Week: Cowboys seeing redemption against Soquel

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Game of the Week: Cowboys seeing redemption against Soquel

SALINAS – The title wasn’t just taken away from them, but ripped from their mantle of dominance over the previous six seasons.

Over the course of 34 minutes of their 48-minute football game last fall, Soquel High ran off 34 straight unanswered points, ending Salinas’ reign as Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division champions.

A changing of the guard? Or just the better team on that night? For now, the road to the Gabilan Division title runs through Soquel, which hosts the Cowboys on Friday.

“I could see this being a 14-7 or 42-35 game,” Salinas coach Steve Zenk said. “It will depend on who does a better job limiting big plays and producing big plays. We’ll know about 10:30 p.m.”

Soquel quarterback Sam Whelan has thrown for 900 yards and nine touchdowns through four games. (Donald Fukui -- Herald file)

Zenk, who is two wins away from breaking the Salinas school record for wins in just seven full seasons, is 56-3 in Gabilan Division play as the Cowboys’ head coach.

Salinas has been ever better on the road in the Gabilan Division, having gone 25-1, with its last road loss in league play occurring in 2022, a three-point setback at Aptos.

“If you’re in the title hunt, every game is a league championship game,” Zenk said. “It’s felt that way for the last 45 to 50 league games. We usually get everyone’s best game.”

The Knights, who have jumped four divisions in seven years in the PCAL, have evolved into one of the elite programs in the Central Coast Section.

On the heels of a Gabilan Division title in just its third year, Soquel comes into the meeting having won 13 straight league games, outscoring its first two league opponents 98-14.

The Knights have made statements in a 4-0 start, avenging two nonleague losses from last year, while humbling defending state champion Carmel 49-0 two weeks ago.

Soquel’s last Gabilan Division loss occurred in 2023 against Salinas. The Cowboys’ last league setback was against the Knights last October.

“They fly to the ball,” Zenk said. “It’s a physical unit. The defense does a good job of being in the right spot. They get aligned well. It’s a well-disciplined program.”

While the Knights’ offensive numbers are impressive, the defense has not allowed a point in the first three quarters in Gabilan Division play, having produced 10 turnovers.

Still, it’s hard to ignore the Knights’ offense, which has outscored their first two league opponents – both of which played for CCS titles last year – 63-0 in the first half.

“Soquel doesn’t make a lot of mistakes,” Zenk said. “The offense goes through their quarterback and he’s pretty good. They’re more balanced, taking what you give them.”

Zenk was speaking about quarterback Sam Whelan, who guided the Knights to a State Division 4 AA title in 2023 as a sophomore.

Salinas wide receiver Hovan Lusk caught a touchdown pass against Valley Christian. (Donald Fukui -- Herald file)

Whelan has thrown for 900 yards and nine touchdowns through four games, with four different players having caught touchdown passes, including Hudson Summerrill, who has 19 catches for 365 yards and three touchdowns.

“They’re good, but Soquel was good last year,” Zenk said. “We have to try and limit their big plays. But we need to move the football and score points.”

After scoring first in last year’s meeting with the Knights, Salinas didn’t score again until late in the fourth quarter in a 34-14 loss.

Coming off a bye week, Zenk spent the first week letting players heal, while cutting down on his practice times, a pattern he’s used the past eight seasons.

“We’re past the 50 percent point in the season,” Zenk said. “So we have started to cut down our practice times. The deterioration of bodies is real. We try and stay ahead of that.”

Before the bye week, the Cowboys erased a season-opening setback to Clovis by knocking off CCS-ranked Valley Christian of San Jose and North Salinas.

“I liked that we’re getting our tempo and we’re effective running and throwing the ball,” Zenk said. “Sometimes you take a step back. But we’ve progressively gotten better as the season has gone on.”

The Cowboys have shown their balance, with Brandon Palma rushing for 259 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Valley Christian.

With North Salinas making an emphasis to slow down Salinas’ ground game, sophomore quarterback Michael Andrade threw for 198 yards and four touchdowns, completing 15-of-22 attempts.

Soquel High receiver Hudson Summerrill makes a catch along the sidelines while defended by Salinas' Wyatt Maravilla during the teams' PCAL Gabilan Division football game in Salinas on Friday. (Raul Ebio - Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Soquel High receiver Hudson Summerrill has 19 catches for 365 yards and three touchdowns. (Raul Ebio - Santa Cruz Sentinel)

“We take what an opponent gives us,” Zenk said. “Sometimes I think we should run the ball more. But I don’t call the plays.”

Well protected by his offensive line, Andrade has picked apart defenses, with sophomore Hovan Lusk, Amani Liang and Jacob Robles all catching touchdown passes two weeks ago.

“I don’t think the moment is ever too big for him (Andrade),” Zenk said. “He takes care of the football and makes good decisions. He’s spreading the ball around.”

What was an emphasis during the bye week for Salnas was improving its tackling on defense, which has given up 100 points this year – 49 in the loss to Clovis.

“We’ll spend 20 minutes a week on tackling,” Zenk said. “You have to be able to block on offense and tackle on defense. We’ve been more of a bend, but don’t break defense.”

Linebacker Madden Eubanks and defensive lineman Jackson Silacci-Jensen anchor a unit that has seen Salinas reduce its points allowed in each of its first three games.

Quentin Dominguez has quietly evolved this fall, leading the Cowboys in tackles, while Bon Robinson has been a menace in the middle.

“Our linebackers have been pretty strong for us,” Zenk said. “Our defensive line is pretty good. We got tested early in the season with our nonleague schedule. We do it for a reason.”

Chasing a 17th straight playoff spot, Zenk cautions about putting too much emphasis on one game, especially when there are still six remaining in the regular season.

“I don’t think these kids feel the pressure of expectations,” Zenk said. “I’m sure someone is saying it’s Soquel this week. My focus is on what we’re doing today. Let’s have fun and get better.”

This weekend’s schedule

THURSDAY

Monterey at Alisal, 7:30 p.m.

North County at Alvarez, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

Salinas at Soquel, 7:30 p.m.

North Salinas at Hollister, 7:30 p.m.

Aptos vs. Carmel at Monterey Peninsula College, 7:30 p.m.

Pacific Grove at Watsonville, 7:30 p.m.

St. Francis at King City, 7:30 p.m.

Stevenson at Monte Vista, 7:30 p.m.

Gonzales at Seaside, 7:30 p.m.