Scotts Valley-Seaside football

Friday's game
Scotts Valley (1-2) at Seaside (3-0), 7:30 p.m.
 It's conceivable that this won't be the last time these teams play this season.
 The Spartans are going to go into the Pacific Division as heavy favorites to win the title while Scotts Valley would be the talk of the SCCAL if it wasn't for Aptos.
 "This is one of those teams you look at as a gauge,'' Seaside coach Al Avila said. "You look at their battery of work. We haven't had one of these type of games in a couple of years.''
 The last time Seaside started a season 3-0, it won a single-season school record 11 straight games in 2012.
 Behind Daniel Sayre's two interceptions for touchdowns, the Spartans defense has allowed just two touchdowns this season, going seven consecutive quarters without allowing a point.
"We've played in spurts,'' Avila said. "We have a lot of work to get to the level we feel we can get to. That's what makes this defense scary. But we're not at that level yet.''
 That Spartans defense will likely be without two defensive lineman in the trenches, both of which missed last week's game as well against King City.
 "We don't have two horses up front that demand double teams like those to do,'' Avila said. "That makes it harder on the linebackers. It changes our fronts and a lot of our look. But it's an opportunity for someone else to step up.''
 Accept for a two-minute meltdown two weeks ago, Scotts Valley hasn't allowed a point in 97 of the last 100 minutes of football it has played.
 The Falcons bounced back from a heartbreaking overtime loss with a 31-0 win over Watsonville last week. The defense has yet to allow a point in the third quarter this year.
 "They should be 2-1,'' Avila said.
 A new offensive scheme has been slow to materialize for Seaside. Yet, there have been flashes of its potential, especially with the variety of options it possess.
 Keishawn Robinson is one of the more explosive and versatile backs in the backfield, having rushed for a touchdown, caught a touchdown and thrown a touchdown.
 "We're still finding the pieces offensively,'' Avila said. "We've got a couple of new linemen. We've added a few wrinkles. What we do in practice, though, hasn't translated to the game. We graded film last week. It was so bad.''
 Injuries kept two starters out last week for Seaside. That has disrupted chemistry in the trenches for the ground game to get unleashed.
 "Our line has to put it together,'' Avila said. "I know they're young. But these are big strong kids. We are close to breaking lose, at the tip. We just haven't taken that step over.''
 Seaside's defense, anchored by Demarcus Hawkins and Malik Jeter, will have to be aware of tailback Tanner Gilton, who has rushed for over 100 yards twice this year for Scotts Valley -- 55-14 winners over the Spartans last year.
 "They're going to move you off the ball,'' Avila said. "You have to gap control and stay in your lanes. It only takes one big hit and it gets contagious.''
 Tyler Stow has thrown for over 300 yards for the Falcons, with Ryan Johnston being the primarily receiver with four touchdown catches.
 "They'll lull you to sleep and then throw the ball,'' Avila said. "Scotts Valley is about matchups. We have to use our speed and close lanes down quickly. Scotts Valley is a team that says this is what we're going to do, now try and stop it.''