Aptos extended its winning streak to nine games in a row with a 28-24 victory at Saratoga in the first round of the CCS Division III playoffs Friday night.
“We don't like it that close, but Saratoga does a great job of moving the ball,” Aptos coach Randy Blankenship said. “They made some great adjustments in the second half, but defense wins championships. You have got to win games like this now and then to appreciate it.”
Aptos took a very promising lead in the first half of the game with a fumble recovery by tight end Michael Meidl that allowed running back Elijah Marta to break through the middle for a 24-yard touchdown run. Marta later intercepted a throw from Saratoga quarterback Jonathan Walters, setting up running back Brodie Bennet for a 2-yard TD run, ending the first half with a 28-7 cushion over the Falcons.
“We came out on fire in the first half,” running back Aaron McAnerney said. “Defense shut down the pass as much as we could in the first half; second half we got a little bit sloppy but we played hard.”
However, Saratoga fought back stronger in the second half, pulling closer on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Walters to running back Joey Mederios, followed by a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Bryson Yates. With a 31-yard field goal by Fred Feyzi in the fourth quarter, Saratoga pulled to within 28-24.
And with just a couple minutes left in the game and the Falcons at first-and-goal from the 3, it appeared as if they may have had a shot of winning. However, with two incomplete passes and a sack on Walters on the third down, Saratoga failed to capture the win from the Mariners as the clock ran out its final seconds.
“(Saratoga) was first and goal on the three-yard line, and they ended up about the 40 so our defense got really scared there, (but) we took care of business,” Blankenship said.
The Mariners were able to then run out the clock to preserve the 28-24 win.
“We're going to enjoy this one tomorrow and Sunday. This is a big win for our program," Blankenship said. "When a C-league comes over and beats an A-league...(it shows) we are not a C-league."
Aptos advanced to the second round of the CCS playoffs and will play Monterey next Friday.
