Saturday morning thoughts

North County made a decision that John-Wyatt Williams was not going to beat them. Instead, Monterey quarterback Stephen Ventimilia did with two touchdown runs and a scoring toss.
The Condors were aware of how well Ventimilia disguises his fakes, yet bit on them three times. All three resulted in touchdown runs, although one was called back.

It's one thing to battle back from a 21-point fourth quarter deficit. But it's another to put it all on the line and go for the win rather than the tie as Carmel did with 22 seconds left.
With a chance at overtime and having one of the best kickers in the section, I'm not sure many coaches would have taken the same gamble.

After starting the year with two lopsided losses, I'm not sure anyone thought Salinas would be in the CCS Division I semifinals for the third straight year.
The Cowboys didn't play well in a 41-6 loss to Piedmont Hills. But let's not forget they ran off six straight wins to reach this point.
Don't criticize a coach that has taken you to three straight playoff appearances -- the first time that has been achieved at Salinas in 27 years.

Speaking of coaches, where are all those Monterey fans that were calling for head coach Tom Newton's head nine weeks ago after a loss to Carmel?
Perhaps it's time to give the Monterey coaching staff a little credit. Nine straight wins does not happen by accident.