WATSONVILLE >> Watsonville High’s football team recorded four takeaways, and the Wildcatz topped host Pajaro Valley 17-2 to win the Belgard Kup for the eighth straight season Saturday.

Senior defensive end Joel Saldana had two forced fumbles and recoveries, senior defensive tackle Joseph Mendez had one forced fumble and recovery, and senior defensive back Diego Abrego made an interception.

Senior defensive end Victor Ramirez and senior linebacker Adan Magana recorded sacks.

“Our defense did phenomenal,” said Manny Contreras, the Wildcatz’s first-year head coach. “The defense was the star of the game.”

The Wildcatz did all their scoring in the second quarter. Junior quarterback Anthony Razzo connected with senior receiver Nathaniel Aguilar on an 11-yard pass play for a touchdown, and junior running back Abraham Martinez scored on a 3-yard run. Senior kicked Eduardo Garcia kicked a 35-yard field goal.

The Grizzlies scored on a safety in the fourth quarter.

Pajaro Valley (1-3) plays at Marina (1-3) in the teams’ Pacific Coast Athletic League Santa Lucia Division opener on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Wildcatz (2-2) host Monte Vista Christian (2-2) in the teams’ PCAL Mission North Division opener on Saturday at 7 p.m.

SLV 12, Greenfield 7

FELTON — Dom Aguilar and Gabe Machado scored touchdowns and the Cougars turned in another stellar defenive showing to remain unbeaten Saturday.

The Cougars have held opponents to a touchdown of less for three straight weeks, while posting wins over Gunderson, Scotts Valley, and Greenfield. They beat South San Francisco, the defending Central Coast Section Divison V champion, 39-14 in the season opener Aug. 31.

SLV lost a fumble on its own 20-yard line, and Greenfield capitalized on the great field position to jump out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

SLV quarterback Jack Dagan threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Aguilar in second quarter, but the Cougars missed the extra-point kick and entered the half trailing 7-6.

Greenfield fumbled on its own 35-yard line late in the third quarter. SLV, behind the efforts of Dagan and running back Justin Griffis, worked the ball down to the 1-yard line and Machado capped the drive with his short touchdown run.

Greenfield had the ball on SLV’s 1-yard line with two minutes left and the Cougars made a clutch defensive stand.

Aguilar made two tackles on the goal-line stand, including one for a loss of yards that gave the Cougars a ton of momentum. Senior cornerback Jordan Renteria out-jumped the receiver and batted down the pass on fourth down.

“They’re a good team,” Cougars coach David Grant said. “They have some tough kids who are coached well. Our players stepped up in some big moments to get us a win, especially on that goal-line stand. That was huge. I’m really proud of the effort that I see in our team.”

SLV sophomore linebacker Jacob Hardin recorded close to 10 tackles, Grady Cloyd made three tackles for a loss of yards, and Haden Woolworth caused a fumble.

The Cougars (4-0) open PCAL Santa Lucia Division play at Harbor (1-2) on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.

“We now need to put all or focus on league,” Grant said. “It’s been a good start to the season but now our record is 0-0.”

Soquel 63, Scotts Valley 3

SCOTTS VALLEY — Junior quarterback Sam Whelan passed for three touchdowns, and freshman running back Keyandre Bailey ran for three touchdowns in the Knights’ rout Saturday.

Sophomore Chase Petersen, junior Hudson Summerill and senior Vaughn Bredy had touchdown receptions for the Knights.

Senior running back Tyreis Lundy and sophomore running back Kelton Forbus also rushed for touchdowns. Lundy, Forbus, and Bailey each rushed for 100 yards.

Scotts Valley, which competes in the PCAL’s B-rated Mission North Division, was without 10 starters sidelined by injuries.

“It’s been a crazy year with injuries that I have never witnessed before,” Falcons coach Louie Walters said. “We have some very young kids getting lot of playing time.”

Enrique Martinez kicked a field goal for Falcons.

Walters praised Falcons sophomore quarter Ryder Quilici. “He played well and is getting better every week,” his coach said.

Scotts Valley (1-3) hosts North Monterey County (2-2) in the teams’ division opener o Saturday at 2 p.m.

Soquel (2-2) opens play in the PCAL’s A-rated Gabilan Division on Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m., when it hosts Palma (3-1).