Gonzales-Soledad football

Friday's game
Gonzales (2-0) at Soledad (0-2), 7:30 p.m.
 Starting the season 0-2 is nothing new for the Aztecs, who are winless after two games for the third straight year.
 Of course, the end result has been rewarding as Soledad won a CCS Division IV title in 2016 with a school record 10 wins, and a Mission Trail Athletic League title last fall.
 While there is no shame in falling to reigning CCS Division V champion Gilroy and perennial power Palma in the first two weeks, the Aztecs still haven't found their identity.
 Soledad has struggled to run the ball, which has been its strength during the last two falls when it has racked up 17 wins.
 Now the Aztecs face one of the most improved teams in the county in Gonzales, who is 2-0 for just the third time in 15 years, having ended a 15-year losing streak to Pacific Grove last week.
 The Spartans have dropped their last eight games to Soledad by an average margin of 20 points, with just one game being decided by 14 points or less.
 The two south county rivals didn't play last year for the first time since Soledad opened its doors 19 years ago.
 While Gonzales - who is playing its third straight road game - has struggled with penalties in its first two games, the Aztecs have turned the ball over five times.
 Payton Flores is coming off a four touchdown effort for the Spartans, in which he rushed for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns, caught a touchdown and tossed one.
  It's uncertain if Gonzales quarterback Raul Morales will be ready for Friday's game after turning his ankle and coming out of the game in the first quarter against Pacific Grove.
 Gonzales has to know where Angel Olivas is at all times on the field. The Soledad receiver has all three of the teams touchdowns this year.