PACIFIC GROVE >> Concessions were made. Sacrifices were asked for. As awkward as it might have been playing out of position, it was a necessity for North Salinas HIgh’s football team.

The response has created a positive vibe in the Vikings’ locker room, one of trust and belief for a group of players who bring a lunch pail attitude to practice.

“We have made a lot of concessions for each other,” North Salinas coach Ben Ceralde said. “We’ve asked kids to play other spots because of injuries, coaches to alter schemes. We went from one offense to another. It’s been a very collaborative effort.”

The result was a late touchdown and a defensive stand Friday in a come-from-behind 30-27 decision in North Salinas’ first-ever visit to Pacific Grove.

“It was one of the best games I’ve ever been a part of,” said Ceralde, whose team is one of two teams still undefeated in the Mission Division South.

Injuries have piled up on North Salinas (5-2) this year, as rotations on both sides of the ball, as well as special teams, have been affected.

“Every player was involved tonight,” said Ceralde, who has guided North Salinas to the playoffs in two of the past three seasons. “No one panicked in the moment. It was just a solid team effort. The kids fought again.”

For the second straight year, North Salinas knocked Pacific Grove from the unbeaten ranks in league play, although it was a far cry different than last year’s 50-6 beating.

“We came in thinking this is our shot at the playoffs,” Pacific Grove coach Jeff Gray said. “We felt this was a game we had to have. We felt we were a team that can compete for a playoff spot. The kids are disappointed.”

With just two teams assured of a postseason spot out of the Mission Division South, the Breakers could be on the outside looking in with three games left in the season, including a matchup with undefeated Carmel.

Last year three teams from the Mission Division were extended playoff spots, with North Salinas earning an at-large bid as the No. 3 seed out of the division with seven wins.

“We realize a lot can still happen in three weeks,” said Gray, whose Breakers sit at 5-2 overall.

Changes were frequent for four quarters against North Salinas as the lead changed hands four times, with Pacific Grove taking a 27-23 lead with 4:43 remaining on a Ben Garry 5-yard touchdown run.

Forced to start a backup quarterback and taken out of their offense with the game on the line, Ceralde put the ball into the hands of Izaiah Gonzales, who orchestrated the game-winning drive with his arm and legs.

“Pacific Grove loaded the box and took us out of the Wing-T early,” Ceralde said. “It forced us into a spread. We run two difference offenses. But you have to have the personnel. Izaiah stepped in and made it happen.”

Gonzalez, who normally starts in the slot or is used as a tailback, accounted for two touchdowns on the ground and connected with Matthew Garcia on a touchdown pass earlier in the game.

“We were able to shut the running game down in the first half,” Gray said. “But they found ways, going with different formations to come up with some pretty significant gains.”

With Gonzalez drawing :attention, Dylan Reynoso joined a fraternity of freshman making impacts this year with a 33-yard run, setting up his own 7-yard touchdown run with 2:29 left to put the Vikings back on top.

“You can see the trust is starting to build with this group,” Ceralde said. “The kids believe, have bought in. It’s just building. This is what you want this time of the year.”

The Breakers, who held leads earlier in the game on two touchdown runs from Gideon Llantero and Garret Kuska, were grounded on their final drive, handcuffed by a pair of penalties.

“We couldn’t quite put a drive together in the final two minutes,” Gray said. “We were competitive the entire game. Now we have to bounce back if we’re going to give ourselves a shot at the postseason.”