When Valencia football officially won its ninth consecutive Foothill League title on Friday night, it felt different, especially for the seniors.
“It’s a little bigger this time, since it’s senior night and we know this is the last time we’re going to play a league team and it just feels really good,” said senior receiver Zion Dunson.
“It felt good last year, but it’s more important this year knowing that it’s the last time we can do it.”
The Vikings earned the league crown and completed an undefeated league season after a 59-7 rout of Canyon at Valencia High School.
Valencia (9-1, 5-0 in Foothill League) scored its first touchdown on the second play of the game when Jayvaun Wilson broke free for a 56-yard rush. He scored two more times in the contest – once in the first quarter and then in the second.
“It feels like a birthday,” Wilson said of how a touchdown feels, “because all my teammates come cheer with me, have fun. We have fun after the touchdown on the sideline. It’s like a birthday party. Like a big boy birthday party.”
After Wilson’s initial touchdown, Connor Downs threw to Zachary Semko for a 7-yard touchdown. Later in the first quarter, he connected with Mykael Wright for a 40-yard score, then with Kyle Quintal on an 11-yard pass to close the opening frame at 35-0.
Wright rushed for a 53-yard touchdown to crack the second quarter open, then Wilson rushed for his final score of the night to pull the Vikes ahead 49-0 as Canyon quickly faded (4-6, 1-4).
Wright also nabbed two interceptions on the night, both of which set up Viking touchdowns.
On Valencia’s next possession, Moises Haynes punched it in from the 2-yard line, then Jake Calver kicked the field goal that sealed the Vikings’ scoring.
Canyon’s lone touchdown came with 8:49 remaining in the game. Quarterback Shawn Gallagher reached the end zone on a 1-yard scamper.
Valencia will learn of its first-round CIF-Southern Section Division 2 playoff opponent when brackets are announced at 10 a.m. on Nov. 5.
