VALLEY CENTERVALLEY CENTER — A head coach’s job is to prepare the team for success.
What exactly success means can be measured in various ways. But make no mistake about it, Valley Center is responding to Bill Dunckel in the most important measurable.
In the Jaguars’ fifth game since Dunckel took over following an 0-4 start, they captured victory number four, this one a 28-7 complete effort over visiting Westview in Friday’s Valley League matchup.
Following a horrendous start to the season, Valley Center is headed to the playoffs.
“We’ve come through a lot of adversity this season,” said Jaguars running back Jhett Puentes-Stehly, who had a pair of touchdown runs on 12 carries for 91 yards. “Going for a league championship was something none of us expected. Ever since we had that challenge at 0-4 we’ve been pushing and pushing.”
The Jaguars (4-5, 4-1) will take on powerhouse Oceanside next Friday for a potential Valley League title.
It didn’t start out well for Valley Center as the Wolverines drove 65 yards in 6:40 for the early 7-0 lead. Westview (5-3, 3-2) was aided by 30 yards in penalties and another 15 on the kickoff.
The drive culminated in a 15-yard connection from Mason Walsh to tight end Mark Woodard. The touchdown actually should have been intercepted by Aidan Cuevas but Woodard hauled in the tipped ball.
“We came out pretty soft at the start,” Puentes-Stehly said. “Our O-line knew what they were doing wrong so in the second quarter I had a long touchdown and from there on stepped it up.”
Cuevas would later make it up with an interception, one of three on the night for Valley Center. The hosts caused six turnovers.
“We have some speed on the defensive line, and I think what that did was rush the quarterback and I think that’s at least part of the reason for the turnovers,” Dunckel said. “(Walsh) is good so we had to get pressure on him.”
Walsh finished 16 of 33 for 134 yards, hitting Amare Gomez and Brian Lloyd six times apiece. But he threw three costly picks, two to linebacker Alex Rodriguez. The first was a backbreaker, as Rodriguez anticipated the route and returned the pick 25 yards for a score and a 21-7 lead.
“They were burning me on that hitch,” Rodriguez said. “I saw him tap his thigh and give a hot call, and I knew by reading his eyes. I jumped the ball and it worked out in my favor. We needed that touchdown to further our gap between them, and we were able to do it.”
Besides Puentes-Stehly, the Jaguars couldn’t move the ball that well. But they didn’t need to.
Daniel Stehly’s 8-yard touchdown proceeded Rodriguez’s big play, and that came after Michael Saldana recovered a fumble on a short field.
Defensive end Max Victor had a sack, caused a fumble and had two tackles for loss.
“It’s a testament to our defensive line and linebackers,” Dunckel said. “We’re playing with energy and getting better every day. They work. They work in practice and are relentless out here. We have our job cut out for us with Oceanside. We’ll do our homework and see how it goes.”
Meehan is a freelance writer.
VALLEY CENTER 28, WESTVIEW 7
Westview 7 0 0 0 — 7
Valley Center 0 6 15 7 — 28
W — Woodard 15 from Walsh (Bibler kick)
VC — Puentes-Stehly 37 run (kick failed)
VC — Stehly 8 run (Morales from Mitchell)
VC — Rodriguez 25 interception return (Natale kick)
VC — Puentes-Stehly 1 run (Natale kick)
