Sweet Spartan Revenge In Home Opener
September 2, 2022
For the second time in a row, the Spartans showed why they are the No. 1 team in the city, conquering the Del Valle Conquistadores with a 50-13 win, Friday afternoon, Sept. 2 at the SAC.
Starting off with a QB sneak for a touchdown by junior Gael Ochoa in less than two minutes of the first quarter. From there, the Spartans took off and didn’t look back, with another touchdown by senior receiver Jahlil Bost to end the first quarter.
“I feel like it’s more of a team effort, the defense played a really big role, we also played a big role, so we started off fast, and just learned how to keep the momentum since the beginning,” said senior Jahlil Bost said about the starting off strong.
The only hiccup of the second quarter happened after a bobbled snap in the second quarter that led to a Del Valle touchdown drive, scoring their only points of the first half.
The second ended with two touchdowns by Brandon Cardenas and again Jahlil Bost. Finishing the first half 30-6, stopping whatever chances Del Valle had to catch up.
As good as the offense was, Pebble Hills’ defense dominated the majority of the game and kept the Conquistadores to only six points all game.
“They’re playing with a lot of confidence and that’s the most important thing, when you play with confidence and know what you need to do,” head coach Mark Torres said.
The Spartans blew through the gates of the second half starting off with a touchdown on their first possession with a pass by junior Gael Ochoa to Senior Sam Chacon.
Following with his third touchdown of the game, Jahlil Bost scored again with a run-in touchdown, ending the third quarter with a flashy 71-yard TD run by Brandon Cardenas, making the score 50-13.
“I really need to improve my goal, the last catch should’ve been all me, but mainly, I need to improve on being a leader,” Bost said. “I’m a senior this year so I play a really big role.”
The Spartans were able to keep the Conquistadors from scoring the entire fourth quarter, letting the team get away with an easy win and sweet revenge.
The Spartans led by double digits the entire game, a huge step from last year’s game against Del Valle.
“It felt good to beat them because last year they put a whoopin’ on us,” senior Robert Deal said. “Our defense has been playing great football. We will come out even stronger, I feel like we will go on a strike this year.”
In two games, The Spartans have allowed only 13 points, and Deal takes a lot of pride in that.
“We came with really great intensity, we had a little edge to use because Del Valle had us pretty good last year, so I am really happy with how we performed,” Torres said.
With regards to next week’s game against Eastwood High School, Torres feels that they can cut down on the penalties heading into district play.
Pebble Hills is back in action Friday, Sept. 9 at 4:00 at the SAC as they welcome the visiting Eastwood Troopers.
Photos by Maggie Gonzalez and Sophia Purdy