Monterey Trail has been all over the map so far this season for football games. The Mustangs’ first two road games featured trips to the Bay Area and Sparks, Nevada, facing some top competition along the way and coming out with victories.
To conclude their preseason schedule, Monterey Trail welcomed Paraclete from Lancaster to Mark Macres Memorial Stadium last Friday.
The game last Friday against the Spirits would be no different to the Mustangs’ prior preseason games as they once again, came out with a victory.
Monterey Trail led from start-to-finish and were able to hold off a Paraclete team that never stopped playing and wrapped up their preseason schedule undefeated with a 41-27 victory last Friday at Monterey Trail High School.
“They are well coached and talented, and when you put those two things together, then it is clear they were not going to quit,” said Monterey Trail head coach T.J. Ewing.
“I thought our kids showed a lot of resolve and depth, and some of the kids had to adapt to different situations and positions than they normally play, and that was nice to see.”
The Mustangs were able to flash the explosiveness on offense that they have all season so far early on against the Spirits. Monterey Trail stopped Paraclete on their opening possession, then went on to score right away itself. Quarterback Zach Larrier threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to Andre Crump on a quick pass down the right side that Crump was able to haul in and show great speed to run away from the Spirits’ defense.
As far as Larrier was concerned, the Mustangs’ top playmaker was just getting started. Larrier had a huge night by scoring on touchdown runs from 95 and 90 yards out respectively while also throwing another touchdown pass to Brandon Hwa in the third quarter from 31 yards out. Larrier flashes incredible top-end speed and the ability to make defenders miss in the open field.
“I did leave a couple of touchdowns out there by fumbling once and making a bad decision right before halftime by taking a sack with not much time left but I am happy that we were able to win and I could do what I did out there,” Larrier said.
In addition to his play on the offensive side of the ball, Larrier made plays on the defensive side playing as a safety. Larrier intercepted Paraclete quarterback Marshall Saul twice, the last one being the play that basically iced the game off with just a few minutes left.
“Having a great player like Zach and some of the other seniors on this team just makes for a great team,” Ewing said.
While Larrier and the rest of the Mustangs’ offense was making plays, it was Paraclete who refused to concede defeat. The Spirits were able to keep the game close all the way through and gave themselves chances in the fourth quarter by being down by only seven a couple of times. Paraclete features a quick high-tempo spread offensive with playmakers all over the field. Running back Nicholas Wyatt make big plays throughout the game and scored on a 27-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Also, tight end Henry Ikahihifo gave the Mustangs problems on defense because of his size at 6’2 and 250 pounds.
While Paraclete refused to give up, it was the experience of Monterey Trail that propelled them to victory. As the Spirits would edge closer to tying the game, Monterey Trail would keep the pressure on by answering back with a score themselves to keep Paraclete at bay.
Sporting a perfect preseason record, (5-0), Monterey Trail will travel into fresh waters starting next week as they face River City, (0-5) on the road in their Metro League opener. The Mustangs had previously been in the Delta League for the past four seasons.
“It is going to be a new challenge for us but our guys are ready to just play football,” Ewing said.
“These next five weeks should be a fun, new and exciting part of the season for this football team.”
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