Some people believe in moral victories while others do not.

Last week, the Monterey Trail High School football team gave Elk Grove, arguably the best team in the Sac-Joaquin Section, its toughest game of the season, only losing by 11 points.

In playing the Thundering Herd as tough as they did, the Mustangs came to realize they could hang around with anyone left on their schedule.

Facing Jesuit, Monterey Trail needed a victory to keep any chance of sneaking into the playoffs alive.

The Mustangs would not only get a victory, they would also make an emphatic statement.

Monterey Trail dominated the game from start to finish en route to a 28-3 victory at Mark Macres Memorial Stadium last Friday night.

“It was a great win and I am really proud of our guys tonight because they played for each other,” said Monterey Trail head coach T.J. Ewing. “They were fantastic and fascinating out there.”

Ironically enough, on Monterey Trail’s senior night, it was a junior who stole the spotlight.

Quarterback Robert Holt accounted for four touchdowns - two on the ground and two through the air.

“This game was a coming out party for him but really he has been doing this all year,” said Ewing of Holt. “This guy is a tremendous talent. He is a good kid and we are very lucky to have him and coach him.”

While Holt had the offense in total control, the Monterey Trail defense as a whole put up an equally impressive performance.

The Mustangs’ defense kept the high-powered Marauders rushing attack at bay all game, including a goal-line stop late in the third quarter when Jesuit had first-and-goal from the 4-yard line and trailed just 14-3.

“I think we were motivated with our current circumstance and the emotional aspect of senior night,” Ewing said.

In addition to shutting down Jesuit’s rushing attack, the secondary of Monterey Trail did its job.

Jesuit quarterback Calvin Brownholtz was intercepted three times, twice by safety Bishop Brown. A week earlier, Brownholtz was the hero in a 27-20 win over Franklin when he threw a go-ahead touchdown pass in the final minute.

With the win, Monterey Trail improved to 4-5 overall, 2-4 in the Delta League and will close out their regular season next week at Davis, which fell to 3-5 overall, 1-4 in league after a 73-35 loss to Grant last Friday.

“We have to watch film. We really have not focused on Davis at all,” admitted Ewing. “We need to just stay at what we are doing and try to come out on top.”

While Ewing may not be too familiar with the Blue Devils, Holt has a good idea of what to expect this week and what his team needs to do to get to .500 overall.

“I know that they have a pretty good running back (Ish Perez). I have seen some of his film and his stats, so because of that we need to stop him and make them throw the ball and get picks,” said Holt.

It was the same exact recipe that allowed Monterey Trail to snap a four-game losing streak and keep alive any hopes of a playoff berth entering the final week of the regular season.