For the 24th consecutive game, the Vikings are victorious under the lights on Friday in the Foothill League following a 55-6 win over Golden Valley, setting the stage for a winner-takes-all Foothill League finale next week against Hart.
“This was another step forward and another opportunity to play at your best,” Valencia coach Larry Muir said. “We continue to push ourselves and keep pushing each other to try to take it to another level. I thought out guys did a good job of playing for our seniors on senior night.”
While Valencia celebrated senior night with a win, the Viking who played a large part in the victory was senior running back Nico Funez.
Funez, who entered Friday second in the rushing yards and total touchdowns for the Foothill League, added to an already strong season.
In Friday’s win over Golden Valley, the senior running back ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns, including a 51-yard run down the sideline for a six-point score in the final moments in the first quarter.
After the game, Funez spoke on his explosive runs and credited his offensive line for his success on Friday and all year long.
“Will Mayberry, Thomas Konrad, Josue Moreno, William Skinner, and Anthony Baca. Those five guys, they represent the program and I credit them tonight,” Funez said afterward.”
Not only did those five linemen open the lanes for Funez to have a big day but also protected their sophomore quarterback Evan McCalister as he lit up the scoreboard once again at the Dr. Paul A. Priesz Stadium.
McCalister tossed for three touchdowns and 108 yards through the air en route to the victory.
While Valencia’s offense brought the fireworks once again on a Friday night, the defense stopped the Grizzlies from scoring big on the Vikings’ den.
Outside of a 45-yard touchdown run down the sideline from Golden Valley’s senior running back Aaron McCormick in the second quarter, the Vikings held the Grizzlies at bay.
In total, the Grizzlies were held to 97 yards on offense, six points, and added to their loss column which brought Golden Valley to below .500 for the season.
As for Golden Valley’s possible postseason possibilities, the loss dropped the Grizzlies to a 4-5 record in the season and 2-3 in Foothill League play. And although the Grizzlies fell to below .500 in both categories and out of contention for an automatic berth, Golden Valley can still end the season with a playoff bid.
Should Golden Valley win next week on Friday against the West Ranch Wildcats, the Grizzlies end the year at .500 with a 5-5 record and eligible for an at-large bid.
The Grizzlies will look to extend their season with a win on Friday at Canyon High School in the season’s final game against the Wildcats with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 7-2 in the season and 5-0 in Foothill League play.
More importantly, the Vikings also set themselves up next week in what will be a winner-takes-all Foothill League title and Victory Bell.
Next week, Muir and the Vikings will travel to College of the Canyons’ Cougar Stadium on Friday for a matchup against Hart with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Hart Hawks remained unbeaten in Foothill League play with a win over Canyon on Friday and own a 5-0 record and tied for Valencia in first place.
The Hawks are in search of their first Foothill League title since 2007. As for Valencia, they’ll look to win the title for the fourth-consecutive season.
For Muir, next week has been set up for a thrilling matchup. While it can be easy to get distracted with the what-ifs, Muir will look to focus throughout the week and get ready as they have done all season.
“Every week is the same. Things don’t change. But in terms of getting to the end of the season here. We need to understand we’re a part of the keep playing or don’t kind of mentality,” Muir said. “We understand you’re not guaranteed another day here on out … and I think our guys have done a good job of that all year.”
For more on Funez’s performance, watch his postgame interview here.
For more on Hart’s and West Ranch’s win on Friday, recaps are to be published in Tuesday’s edition of The Signal.
