HOLTVILLE — In the final tune-up game before heading into the Imperial Valley League for the first time since 1959, the Holtville High football team dismantled Southwest, 54-6, at Birger Field here on Thursday, Oct. 2.
The Vikings (5-1 overall) last played in the Imperial Valley League in 1959, according to head coach Jason Turner. After a 66-year absence, Holtville returns to the league this season after switching places with Southwest, a team that has struggled in recent years and should fare better in the smaller league.
Holtville has experienced a lot of football success lately, winning CIF-San Diego Section Division 5-AA in 2023, then going 10-0 in the regular season in 2024. The 2025 team seems ready to play in the IVL and knows what it will take to be successful.
“We have to come into each game focused and just take it one play at a time,” said senior receiver Alan Carrillo. “We know this is the bigger league, and we have been preparing ourselves to perform at our best.”
Carrillo got the scoring started on Thursday with a 35-yard touchdown reception from senior quarterback Alonso Cuevas on the game’s fourth play. Senior Axel Gomez ran in the two-point conversion, and the Vikings were off and running with an 8-0 lead 56 seconds into the game.
“I saw the safety playing toward the middle of the field and knew that if I ran a good route and he (Cuevas) threw a good ball, we had it,” Carrillo said.
Holtville built a quick 24-0 lead less than four minutes into the game after getting a five-yard touchdown pass from Cuevas to senior Bradyn Terrill and a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown from sophomore Andre Gonzalez.
Cuevas finished the game 4-of-5 passing for 91 yards and two touchdowns.
“We worked so hard all offseason because we knew we were moving up to the IVL,” said the 18-year-old Cuevas. “If we stay together and do what we know we can do, I think we can be successful.”
Offensively, this season the Vikings have been led by senior running back Enrique Armas, who ran for 191 yards on eight carries against the Eagles (1-6 overall) and three touchdowns. Thursday’s totals give Armas 1,345 yards rushing through six games and 19 total touchdowns (18 rushing and one receiving).
Armas had touchdown runs of 3, 29, and 44 yards against Southwest, the final being a 44-yard sprint on his only carry of the second half.
“I like where we’re at, but of course we know the four huge challenges in front of us,” said Turner, now in his ninth year at the helm of the Vikings. “As coaches, it is our job to get the kids ready, but not overthink things. These next four weeks will be fun to see where we stack up.”
Holtville junior Braxton Buscaglia scored twice against the Eagles, running the ball in from four yards out in the first quarter and then scoring on a 10-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Southwest scored its lone touchdown on the final play of the first half when senior quarterback Thomas Gomez hit senior receiver Joshua Ibarra for a 19-yard touchdown pass. The touchdown capped a 7-play, 54-yard drive for the Eagles.
It was the only success Southwest had on offense, finishing the game with 45 total yards.
The Eagles have a week off before beginning Desert League action at 7 p.m. on Oct. 16 against Vincent Memorial Catholic High at Eagle Field in El Centro.
Holtville opens its IVL campaign at 7 p.m. on Oct. 10, hosting Central Union High at Birger Field in Holtville.