Each week a North Salinas alumni is brought in to speak to the football team.
What ever has been said recently, bottle it.
The Vikings made a statement Friday. Instead of being punched in the face, it dealt the blows in a 20-18 win over previously undefeated Monterey.
"You can see the confidence growing in us," North Salinas tailback Matt Morales said. "But we are humbled by this. We’re bringing a new culture to the program."
It’s one reason first year North Salinas coach Ben Ceralde brings in a former player each week to talk to the team.
"We’ve talked about changing the culture since I arrived," said Ceralde, a North Salinas graduate as well. "We always preach that North Salinas had always been a hard hitting team in past years."
Since surrendering two fourth quarter touchdowns in a 19-14 loss to North County, the Vikings have rattled off three straight wins, putting a nine-game losing streak in the rear view mirror.
Morales, who wasn’t at North Salinas last year, has been part of the turnaround, going over 100 yards rushing for the fourth straight game.
"More leaders have stepped up," Morales said. "We had to adjust as a unit to a new environment. We had to learn to play together and finish four quarters of football."
While that remains a work in progress going into its Mission Division opener at Alisal, the Vikings are clearly getting better as the season nears the midpoint.
"No doubt, it was the best game we’ve played all year," Ceralde said. "Particularly in the second half. I knew we were capable of doing more. We lit a fire in the second half."
The Vikings erased a 10-6 deficit on the strength of two rushing touchdowns from Morales, who has scored in every game this year, giving him seven on the season.
"We couldn’t match North Salinas’ intensity," Monterey coach Henry Lusk said. "We came out flat. I altered the game plan a little it. So I’ll take some of the blame. Physically, we weren’t ready."
Monterey, which had scored on its first possession in each of the teams first three games, was stopped on three plays on its first series.
"We finished the fight and that’s what is preached throughout the week," Morales said. "I personally felt like they took us lightly."
Lusk didn’t dispute that.
"I told the kids in the lockerroom it’s a wake up call," Lusk said. "So how are you going to respond? You walk around campus with swag. Lets see how we recover."
Monterey (3-1) will visit North County next Friday in its Cypress Division opener.
For all the hype surrounding the Toreadores speed at the skilled positions, North Salinas’ defense swarmed to the ball behind Joe Zazueta and Xavier Barragan, limiting their yards on the outside.
"I expected them to run more to the outside," Ceralde said. "Our guys did exactly what we asked them to do. Stretch the field and rally to the ball."
With Morales’ two second half touchdowns, North Salinas ran off 14 unanswered points to built a 10-point lead.
And it was driving for more when a fumble near the goal line late in the game turned into an 80 yard return by Hendrick Lusk, setting up Janius Thomas’ touchdown,
Converting a two-point conversation got the Toreadores to within two with 48 seconds left. But the Vikings recovered the onside kick to seal its third straight win.
"When you’re 3-0, teams don’t lay down for you," Lusk said. "North Salinas rallied to the ball. It was ready. It was coming to beat Alabama. But I’m proud of how we fought back."
North Salinas jumped out to a 6-0 lead when Jake Sotelo found a wide open Manuel Camberos for a 3-yard touchdown pass.
"We played with a chip on our shoulders," Morales said. "We have an explosive offense as well. We have a good physical offensive line that finishes their blocks."
The Toreadores did answer when Evans Charles found Eris Hutchins in the flat, and speedy flanker did the rest for a touchdown to put them up 7-6.
"We have guys in leadership positions that weren’t leaders tonight," Lusk said. "That starts with the seniors."
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