King City football

 Mac Villanueva wasn't afraid to tell anyone willing to listen.
 Losing arguably the best player in the Mission Division -- your quarterback -- did not signal the end for the Mustangs.
 Yet, who had King City defeated to get anyone's attention?
 In fact, dating back to last season, the combined record of the last four opponents it had beaten was 3-25.
 The Mustangs needed a signature win to get peoples attention.
 Does knocking off a reigning Central Coast Section Division IV champion count?
 If the Mustangs end an 11-year playoff drought this year, they'll look back at Friday's 24-17 win over Soledad as the turning point.
 After all, it was a seven-point loss to the Aztecs last year that ultimately cost them a postseason trip.
 No one brought up King City as a title contender when the season started. That happens when you go 34 years without a championship.
 However, a glance at the standings shows just two teams still undefeated.
 Guess who one of them is?
 Defeating Soledad ended a three-year losing streak to their rivals. It also snapped a five-game road losing streak.
 With a trip to undefeated Scotts Valley next Friday, the road is where the Mission Division is going to be won for someone.
 Confident? Sure. Complacent? Not a chance.
 Roles change when you lose a marquee player. Embracing them rather than fearing an enhanced role turns hope into an expectation.