APTOS >> There were vibrant practices with smiles splashed across the players’ faces, even as temperatures soared this past week. At times, it has been missing at Monterey High. Perhaps taking a step back and rediscovering that passion was the perfect antidote.

Whether it was the pressure to live up to heightened expectations before the football season began, or having its confidence challenged after a pair of losses, the response has been encouraging.

“We had our best week of practice,” Monterey coach Alex Besaw said. “It was a direct reflection of what we did Monday through Thursday.”

The Toreadores put together their best performance of the season, matching their season high for points in a 42-14 win over Aptos.

“The season is full of peaks and valleys,” Besaw said. “We’ve had our share of valleys. We have to learn that in football and the game of life, you don’t turn your back on a family member. There will be more adversity.”

In their first two Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division games, the Toreadores have outscored the opposition 84-21, as they gear up to face six-time defending Gabilan Division champion Salinas next Friday at Monterey Peninsula College.

The game is coming during Monterey’s fall break.

“The conversation immediately turned over to Salinas after the game,” said Besaw, a former assistant at Salinas. “Don’t fall into the trap of being off from school and use it to not have an energetic week of practice.”

On the road for the third straight week, the Toreadores were balanced and efficient on offense, with Preston White completing 8-of-11 passes, with four of those completions going for touchdowns.

“This was a big game for us,” Besaw said. “We were on the road again. With traffic, it was a long bus ride. It’s a well-coached team. And it was Aptos’ homecoming.”

Last fall Monterey turned its season around, using a kickoff return from Kavon Collins as time expired in a wild 48-43 win, igniting a four-game winning streak.

While there were no late game dramatics this time, Collins — who has a athletic scholarship offer from Northern Arizona — had another big game, turning five catches into 102 yards and three touchdowns, giving him eight touchdowns in two games against Aptos.

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position being 2-0,” Besaw said. “It’s a long season. We still haven’t played our best football. But tonight was one of the best games we’ve played all year long.”

The leadership values that Besaw has been seeking all fall from a group of 19 seniors who have been up since their sophomore years has begun to develop.

“Preston (White) has been a lot more vocal than he has in the past,” Besaw said. “And Soakai (Funaki) has been our anchor on defense and leading by example.”

The senior linebacker finished with 14 tackles, three for losses for Monterey, with Jamar Aquino adding six tackles and a pair of sacks.

“Aptos was a tough read,” Besaw said. “It is a disciplined football program with an identity on offense. It tested our ability to be disciplined on defense.”

The Toreadores created four turnovers, and recovered an onside kick, with Kai Vaughn and Dakota Ordonio both intercepting passes that led to points.

White and Collins hooked up three times for touchdowns. In three seasons together, the pair have connected 35 times for touchdowns. Tailback Enobong Wirth added 128 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for Monterey.