Sports

Pajaro Valley High won two years ago. St. Francis High exacted revenge last season. Friday’s rubber match at Emmett M. Geiser Field in Watsonville will determine which team truly owns the bragging rights, at least for the rest of the year.

Powerhouse Mariners start season atop the rankings after a long streak of success this decade.

St. Francis High was as dominant as could be on Friday night, welcoming in its first-year head coach with a 37-0 non-league win over cross-city rival Pajaro Valley High at Emmett M. Geiser Field in Watsonville.

The defending CCS Division IV champions have looked as dominant as advertised in their first two wins, one of which came against CCS D-III runner-up Aptos High. There might have been a few ounces of doubt as to the potential of the team when the girls joined forces during the summer but it seems like that’s all gone.

The Mustangs suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday afternoon, falling 21-19 to Scotts Valley High in both teams' preseason finale. It is M.V.C.'s (2-1) first preseason loss since the 2014 season.

Despite playing with only one sub, the Mariners outlasted the Cougars at home to improve to 2-0 overall and in Monterey Bay League Gabilan division play.

Cabrillo sits at 11-0 and is ranked No. 1 in the state, according to the California Community College Women’s Volleyball Coaches Association, heading into Coast Conference North division action on Friday night. The Seahawks host College of San Mateo at 6:30 p.m.

But when San Benito High Haybalers' senior defensive back Elisha Reyes intercepted Monte Vista Christian Mustangs' senior quarterback Sean White Friday night with less than two minutes left in a home game that ended 36-29, then it was over.

Aptos, Monte Vista Christian, St. Francis keep top 3 spots of rankings.