Football Tour IX Soledad

  Soledad

 If we learned anything about quarterback Fernando Longoria last year, it's that he's not afraid to put the ball in the air -- even in 35 mph gusts, a common evening in Soledad.
 The biggest difference this fall for the record setting quarterback is that Longoria has learned how to shake off mistakes, or as he called it 'short term memory'.
 The 6-foot junior has a big arm and a talented target to connect with in Jose Martinez, who caught a school record 43 passes last year, while also earning all-league honors as a linebacker.
 Having a healthy tailback in Jeremiah Murillo for a full season with that offensive line makes this offense potentially lethal.
  Clearly the program has taken a different direction under third year head coach Frankie Berlanga, who has guided Soledad to two playoff appearances in two years.
 Soledad had a 1,000 yard rusher and a quarterback that threw for over 1,200 yards for just the second time in school history.
 But are six win seasons and a playoff appearance enough? Are there visions of a league title dancing in their heads? Soledad did schedule five-time league champion Carmel for homecoming.
 Berlanga would like to eliminate the 0-2 starts, which have occurred in his first two seasons. In fact, Soledad hasn't won a season opener since 2003.
 Performing in the clutch is critical to the development of this program and taking that next step. Last year the Aztecs lost games on a missed extra point and a last second field goal.
Watch an interview with coach Frankie Berlanga.