Simi Valley, CA – Simi Valley and Shadow Ridge (Las Vegas) battled through the opening half Friday night before the Pioneers took control after the break and pulled away for a 35-7 victory.
Simi Valley opened with the ball after receiving the kickoff, but its first drive stalled and ended with a punt. Both defenses traded three-and-outs early before a sloppy Shadow Ridge snap on a punt gave the Mustangs a first down. Shadow Ridge was unable to capitalize, and Simi Valley eventually forced a turnover on downs. The Pioneers then put together their first major scoring drive. Connor Petrov connected with Giancarlo Leone for a first down before Salvador Villa broke off a 20-yard run. Another 15-yard run by Villa moved the Pioneers closer before a 20-yard checkdown from Petrov to Villa ended in a touchdown. Kane Brazell added the extra point to give Simi Valley a 7-0 lead.
The second quarter featured more defensive pressure from the Pioneers. Simi Valley forced another three-and-out before a big return by Wyatt Ruiz was brought back by a block in the back. Petrov later escaped pressure and found Leone along the sideline for a first down. After Villa fumbled, Leone recovered to keep possession alive. Simi Valley’s offense then produced its biggest passing play of the half, with Petrov connecting with Brody Samon for 40 yards and moving the Pioneers into Shadow Ridge territory. The drive was finished by a 15-yard touchdown run from Villa, extending the lead to 14-0. Shadow Ridge responded with several big plays to reach the red zone, but Simi Valley’s defense held strong and forced the Mustangs to come away empty-handed before halftime. Halftime: Simi Valley 14, Shadow Ridge 0.
Simi Valley took control after the break. Shadow Ridge received the opening kickoff but was quickly forced into another three-and-out. The Pioneers then blocked the punt, taking over at the Shadow Ridge 48-yard line. After two missed touchdown opportunities from Petrov to Luke Habitz, Simi Valley’s offense stalled, but the defense again forced a three-and-out.
On the next possession, Villa delivered another momentum-changing play. Facing a third-and-long, he broke through for a 25-yard touchdown run, his third rushing touchdown of the game, making it 21-0.
Shadow Ridge finally answered when Xavion Cross broke loose for a 55-yard run, putting the Mustangs inside the red zone. A series of read-option plays followed before Kaleb Keao scored on a keeper to cut the deficit to 21-7. Shadow Ridge attempted an onside kick after the touchdown, but Simi Valley recovered and immediately took advantage of the field position. Runs from Villa and plays from Petrov and Habitz moved the Pioneers closer to the red zone before Petrov finished the drive with a 25-yard keeper. Simi Valley entered the fourth quarter with a 28-7 lead.
Shadow Ridge moved the ball downfield early in the fourth quarter behind Keao, but Simi Valley’s defense once again stopped the Mustangs before they could reach the end zone. The Pioneers continued to lean on their rushing attack, with Villa helping move the ball toward midfield. A keeper from Petrov set up a 30-yard touchdown run by Villa, pushing Simi Valley’s lead to 35-7 and effectively putting the game out of reach.
Villa finished the night with 192 rushing yards on 18 carries, three rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown for four total touchdowns. Petrov completed 13 of 23 passes for 151 yards and a passing touchdown while also adding 57 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
Simi Valley’s defense played an equally important role in the victory, repeatedly stopping Shadow Ridge’s offense with multiple three-and-outs, a fourth-down stop and the blocked punt that helped set up a scoring opportunity. After allowing just seven points, the Pioneers never allowed the Mustangs to regain the momentum they briefly created in the third quarter.
Villa was named the WCSM Player of the Game following his four-touchdown performance.
Stat Lines
Simi Valley
- Salvador Villa: 18 carries, 192 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs; 36 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD; 4 total TDs
- Connor Petrov: 13-of-23 passing, 151 yards, 1 passing TD, 0 INT; 57 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD
- M. Hannah: 4 receptions, 45 receiving yards
Shadow Ridge
- Kaleb Keao: 14-of-26 passing, 141 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
- P. Leyva: 12 carries, 60 rushing yards
- Brayden Brock: 6 receptions, 50 receiving yards
Ivan Lopez is a San Fernando Valley based reporter with passion in journalism and public speaking based through high school sports. Focusing on player interviews, capturing the emotion that comes with every win and achievement. While being new to sports journalism, Ivan has a deep understanding in presenting in front of different varieties of audiences. Every new project is a new experience for Ivan; being able to adapt when getting thrown into the deep end allows him to capture the importance of each player through first contact and their respective interview.
