Soledad football

 That next step.
 It didn't happen last fall. Or the previous year.
 It was almost as if Soledad was stuck without a solution.
 No one talked about setting school records for wins or capturing a league title in the off-season.
 What Soledad coach Frankie Berlanga wanted was progress. Attention to detail. A different work ethic.
 Mission accomplished.
 Oh, and along the way came a school record for wins and the programs first league football title in its 17 year existence.
 Soledad has never had a losing season since Berlanga took the program five years ago.
 Yet,  it couldn't get past that six win plateau, which it had achieved in three of the last four years.
 Soledad came back this season with a different mine set. No chip on its shoulder. Just a lunch pale, blue collar type attitude that started with its defense.
 Four times the Aztecs held opponents without a touchdown, including tri-league champion Carmel -- the first win over them in 13 years.
 Berlanga reminded his players after that gigantic win to remain humble, that the job wasn't finished, that a lot of football remained.
 Emotions, though, spilled over after a share of the programs first title was achieved, along with a school record eight wins. Tears of joy for the city, the school and the program.