King City-Gonzales football

Friday's game
King City (3-3) at Gonzales (6-0), 7:30 p.m.
 The oldest rivalry game in Monterey County is in its ninth decade with a lot at stake for both teams in terms of postseason placement and erasing demons.
 Off the programs best start in over 40 years, the Spartans haven't defeated King City since 2003, the last time they reached the postseason.
 The closest Gonzales has come to making the postseason since was in 2015 when a win in its season finale against the Mustangs would have put them in. Instead it fell 26-16.
 The six wins this year for the Spartans are the most since 2003. Payton Flores is on pace to break the single season school rushing record, having piled 1,221 yards and 14 touchdowns.
 Raul Morales has been sharp all year behind center for Gonzales, completing over 60 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns.
 King City has got to take better care of the ball in big games. In its three losses, it has turned the ball over 12 times.
 The Mustangs were held to just 88 yards in last week's setback to Monterey, averaging less than two yards per carry. That has to change against an opportunist Gonzales defense.
 Pablo Villasenor has recorded two safeties this year for Gonzales while Nael Vasquez has five sacks and a pick six.
 Because these teams aren't in the same division, title implications are on hold. However, if King City is going to get into the playoffs, a win against a potential league champion provides more points.
 And what could be worst for Gonzales than having a potential undefeated regular season interrupted by your biggest rival?