WATSONVILLE >> Kicker Julian Pizarro booted a 34-yard field goal as time expired, and the Monte Vista Christian School football team stunned Scotts Valley 25-23 in the teams’ Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission North Division game Friday night.

Pizarro streaked to his team’s sideline after his winning kick. His teammates swarmed him and lifted him on their shoulders as the home crown roared their support.

“It felt great,” he said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for me. … I just knew I was going to make it. That’s what was going through my head. I was confident.”

Mustangs coach Spencer Ferrari-Wood said he saw the confidence in his kicker’s eyes.

“We hadn’t really called upon him in a moment like that,” Ferrari-Wood said. “And we did, and we didn’t know what was going to happen. I’m so proud of him and the way he stepped up. You could just see it in his eyes. He was locked and he wasn’t nervous. He’s prepared; he’s built for this, and I’m thankful for him.”

Pizarro not only won the game, he may have saved the season for the Mustangs (3-4, 1-2), who have aspirations of qualifying for the Central Coast Section playoffs.

Quarterback Dominic Pierini nearly passed for 300 yards in the first half, the bulk of it going to standout receiver Nico Downie, and the Mustangs carried a 19-0 lead into the break.

The Falcons (2-5, 1-2) slowly got back into the game behind their surging offensive front and running back Eli Velez, who rushed for three touchdowns in the second half.

Velez’s third score came with 52 seconds remaining and pulled the Falcons within a point of the Mustangs, 22-21. Velez ran in a two-point conversion and the Falcons celebrated their 23-22 lead.

Pierini was confident to get back on the field. He knew 52 seconds was plenty of time. He threw a handful of sideline passes as he marched his team from its own 23-yard line to the Falcons’ 17 to set the stage for Pizarro.

“It’s huge for us, because we knew, 0-2 in league, if we lose this game, CCS is out of the picture,” Ferrari-Wood said. “I would think so, points-wise. So this is an absolutely got-to-have-it game and we barely got it. Credit to Scotts Valley, you can never count out (coach) Louie Walters and those kids. They fought really, really hard. I think I lost a few years of my life when they went for two down there and got it.”

It was a long, emotional day for the junior kicker, who celebrated his 17th birthday with somber news: His father, the school’s soccer coach, was hospitalized after being struck by a car while on a run earlier that morning.

“I feel great,” he said. “I feel happy. I’m grateful to get that opportunity. I’m glad I go to do it, but I’m sad my dad couldn’t be here to watch it.”

Pizarro said he left school early to go to the hospital and be with his father for much of the afternoon. He arrived at the field “just in time” for the game.

“And it meant a lot, the game-winning field goal, because he’s been wanting me to do field goals for a while and I haven’t gotten the chance until today,” he said.

The Mustangs don’t typically give out game balls, but they made an exception after Pierini offered to buy one so he could present it to Pizarro.

“I’m very proud of Julian. If he’s not on our team, we don’t win,” Pierini said. “Not everyone can do what he does and I’m very proud of him. I’m really happy about the win but I’m mostly proud of Julian.”

MVC had several players deserving of game balls, including the record setting tandem of Pierini and Downie.

Pierini, who had one of his worst games last season under portable lights at Scotts Valley, had one of his best this season. He completed 33 of 48 passes for 409 yards, with two touchdown passes to Downie and one to Gunner Sorensen. He didn’t thrown an interception.

“I stayed confident,” Pierini said. “I knew we were going to win the whole time.”

Downie hauled in 15 passes for 285 yards, and Sorensen had seven catches for 73 yards. Jordan Ramirez made seven receptions and Boston Ashe made four.

Sorensen also ran for 54 yards on 14 carries.

Velez busted loose for Scotts Valley in the second half. After running for 33 yards in the first half, he finished with 156 yards on 28 carries. The Falcons finished with 185 yards rushing and 73 passing, and sophomore quarterback Ryder Quilici completed 7 of 18 attempts. He threw an interception to Sorensen.

Velez made a fumble recover after teammate Vaughn Chomentowski punched the ball Downie’s grap on the third play of the game. Chomentowski also blocked an extra-point kick.

“We’re a young team,” Walters said. “And we’ve said this all along. We only have a few seniors. Just keep the momentum going.”

Nic Colaprete had a fumble recovery for MVC.

The Falcons believed they recovered a fumble on a lateral, but officials ruled it an incomplete pass.

Scotts Valley hosts Watsonville in its homecoming on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Mustangs return to action in their homecoming against North Monterey County on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Aptos 34, Palma 31

SALINAS >> Nate Garcia’s third rushing touchdown came with 1:40 left, and the Mariners recovered a late fumble to secure their PCAL Gabilan Division win at Rabobank Stadium on Friday.

Casey MacConnell scored twice for the Mariners. He finished with 100-plus yards rushing and set up Garcia’s decisive score with his 50-yard gain.

“We’re excited to keep our goal of making the playoffs alive,” Mariners coach Zach Hewett said. “I’m very proud of how many kids had to step up and play roles with injuries and illness running through the team.”

MacConnell also made an interception.

Junior Dominick Faria recovered a fumble from Chieftains running back Eli Dukes, and the Mariners kneeled on the ball to close out the game.

Aptos (4-3, 1-2) hosts Salinas on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Palma (3-4) dropped to 0-3 in division play.

Soquel 28, Hollister 10

HOLLISTER >> The Knights rushed for three touchdowns in their PCAL Gabilan Division game Thursday.

TyReis Lundy, Jayden Bright and Vaughn Bredy each rushed for touchdowns, and quarterback Sam Whelan threw a touchdown pass to Hudson Summerrill.

Whelan completed 5 of 7 passes for 100 yards. He also threw an interception. Summerrill made five catches for 72 yards.

Lundy finished with 81 yards rushing on 11 carries, and teammate Kelton Forbus gained 69 yards on 15 carries.

Soquel’s Adrian Lopez-Kais made four tackles and recorded an interception. Django Daillak made 6.5 tackles, including a sack. Maverick Muse had three tackles and a fumble recovery, and Sean Coso made a sack.

Soquel (4-2, 2-0) hosts Everett Alvarez (2-4, 0-2) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Seaside 23, Watsonville 17

SEASIDE >> Jesse Medina and Anthony Razzo ran for a touchdowns in the Wildcatz’s narrow PCAL Mission North Division loss Friday.

The Wildcatz’s Eduardo Garcia capped scoring with a field goal.

Watsonnville’s Adan Magana had multiple tackles for a loss of yards. Joseph Mendez made a fumble recovery, Jaidyn Calderon recorded an interception, and Joel Saldana had a sack.