VALENCIA — “Now it’s just survive and advance. One week at a time, one week at a time, we gotta get better. Just survive and advance every week. Wherever we go, we’re happy to be in the playoffs and go and represent the Santa Clarita Valley.”
That’s what Valencia High football coach Larry Muir said after his team defeated West Ranch, 35-0, on Friday night, finishing an undefeated Foothill League campaign in the process and heading into the playoffs with a statement victory.
Valencia (6-4 overall, 6-0 Foothill) came out strong in the first quarter and led 21-0 at the end of the period. Senior wide receiver Nick Seymour started the scoring with an 88-yard touchdown three minutes into the game. Running back Brian Bonner broke a tackle and raced 38 yards for another score just over a minute later, a touchdown set up by a Ronald Bruner interception. After that, junior quarterback Brady Bretthauer found a wide-open Logan Thompson in the back of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.
The Vikings led 35-0 at halftime after adding touchdown runs from Bonner and Isaac Shin, who scored from 13 yards out.
It was a banner night for Bretthauer, who passed for more than 350 yards and the two touchdowns, but one of the biggest stories proved to be a standout performance from Valencia’s defense.
The unit has been inconsistent at times this season, but it completely stifled a West Ranch team that was looking to improve its resume for a potential at-large playoff berth.
Bruner had two interceptions against the Wildcats, Seymour had one in the first quarter, and West Ranch could never find any rhythm on offense.
Seymour touted Valencia’s steady improvement postgame.
“It was a rough start, but we have a very young defense. But each week, we didn’t let that define us. We just kept getting better and better, and now we’re pretty good,” the senior captain said with a chuckle.
Now both Valencia and West Ranch can only wait to see how the remainder of their seasons shake out.
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Valencia is guaranteed a postseason spot, while West Ranch (4-6, 2-4) needs to hope for an at-large berth after finishing fourth in the league.
Senior running back Luke DePerno was injured in the first quarter, and sophomore quarterback Blake Johnson threw three interceptions.
The CIF-Southern Section playoff brackets will be released on Sunday at 10 a.m.
And with the regular season wrapped up for Valencia, Muir – who simultaneously addressed both his team and an excited student section during a postgame huddle – reiterated his appreciation for the school.
“This is a great school. We have a great student body, we have great kids here, great support, and I was just appreciative of everybody here,” he said.